Date of Birth: August 20, 1922
Zodiac Sign: Leo
Date of Death: June 16, 2013
Biography
Bernard Sahlins was a prolific American writer, director, and producer, best known for co-founding The Second City, a groundbreaking improvisational comedy enterprise in Chicago. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Sahlins became a central figure in the world of comedy and theater. He graduated from the University of Chicago, where he developed a passion for theater and comedy. Along with Paul Sills and Howard Alk, Sahlins co-founded The Second City in 1959, which quickly became a significant influence on American comedy, launching the careers of numerous comedians, actors, and writers. Apart from his work with The Second City, Sahlins authored several books and plays, contributing profoundly to the arts. He was married to Jane Nicholl Sahlins, who was also actively involved in the theater community. Bernard Sahlins passed away in 2013, leaving behind a legacy of innovation in improvisational comedy.
5 Interesting Facts about Bernard Sahlins
1. Bernard Sahlins co-founded The Second City, a renowned improv comedy theater that has launched the careers of many famous comedians.
2. He was a graduate of the University of Chicago, where he majored in English.
3. Sahlins also produced the television show “SCTV” (Second City Television), which featured many Second City alumni.
4. He wrote several books, including “Days and Nights at the Second City” and “The Second City: Backstage at the World’s Greatest Comedy Theater.”
5. Sahlins was honored with the Chicago Improv Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2003.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Bernard Sahlins
1. “Improv is a metaphor for how we should be in life: not always prepared, but always ready.”
2. “Comedy is the art of making people laugh without making them puke.”
3. “The best way to help a performer is to give them the freedom to fail.”
4. “The Second City was always about the ensemble, not the individual.”
5. “The essence of improvisation is always about the present moment.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Bernard Sahlins’ net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Bernard Sahlins and his wife Jane Nicholl Sahlins did not have any children.
Relevant Links
1. [The Second City](https://www.secondcity.com
3. [University of Chicago Alumni Profile](https://mag.uchicago.edu/bernard-sahlins
5. [SCTV History](https://www.sctvguide.ca
