Comedy Store founder and owner, Mitzi Shore died in Los Angeles Wednesday morning. She was 87.
The Comedy Store, which helped launch the careers of many famous comedians, will be closed Wednesday in her honor.
Shore founded the club in 1972 with her husband at the time, Sammy Shore, and fellow comedian Rudy DeLuca. Two years later she became the owner, and is credited with boosting the careers of comedy greats such as Robin Williams, Jay Leno, David Letterman, Chevy Chase, Jim Carrey, Chris Rock and Richard Pryor.
She is survived by her four children Peter, Scott, Sandy, and Pauly Shore.
Actor and comedian Pauly Shore had openly discussed in the past his mother’s battle with Parkinson’s disease. He took to Twitter to pay her tribute.
“Mom/Mitzi passed Early in the morning at 4.42 am she was 87 years old my heart lays heavy,” he wrote.
The comedy club released the following statement:
“It is with great sadness and very heavy hearts that we report the passing of Mitzi Shore, the legendary Godmother of the world famous Comedy Store. Mitzi was an extraordinary businesswoman and decades ahead of her time who cultivated and celebrated the artistry of stand-up comedy. She was also a loving mother, not only to her own four children, but to the myriad of comedians who adored her. She leaves behind an indelible mark and legacy and has helped change the face of comedy. We will all miss her dearly.”
Pauly shared that Shore was not in pain during her final days, and on Monday had the chance to say her final goodbyes to the Comedy Store.
“Alfred, Mom’s caregiver, and I took Mom/Mitzi to @TheComedyStore this afternoon for her last time. Our maintenance man of 20 years Juan Carlos had the neon lights on for her, and her music playing,” Pauly wrote Monday night.