Al Martin, the founder and original owner of the New York Comedy Club, has died, the comedy club announced on Tuesday.
Martin turned the club over to its current owners, Emilio Savone and E Scott Lindner, in 2014, according to the Instagram post.
In the statement, Savone and Lindner said,
“The New York Comedy Club family mourns the loss of original owner and founder, Al Martin. He was our biggest influence in the comedy club business, and we were honored when he entrusted us with New York Comedy Club in 2014. Al remained a great friend and confidante over the years, and will always be linked to the success of the business, especially as we head into the clubs’ 35th anniversary year. Our hearts and prayers are with the Martin family and the Broadway and Greenwich Village Comedy Clubs in this difficult time.”
Martin opened the New York Comedy Club in 1989, followed by the Broadway Comedy Club in 2003, according to the club’s website, etching his name in the history books as the King of New York comedy.
