From Publishers Weekly
The father of improvisational theater and an inspiration for such comedians as John Belushi, Bill Murray and Chris Farley, Close was once called "the Ted Kaczynski of modern comedy," and his alternately brilliant and self-destructive personality is compellingly recorded in this anecdotal biography. Griggs, a friend and former student of Close's who assisted the ailing artist with his errands during the latter years of his life, takes readers on a jarring and otherworldly journey through the byways of Chicago, recounting the conversations and wild experiences that he shared with the eccentric comedian. Tales of Close's explosive, sometimes harsh teaching style (he was fond of yelling and of cutting people up with criticism when they made mistakes) will make readers cringe in sympathy for his students, but Griggs's description of the relationship between Close and Farley brings out the artist's humanity. By the end, Close emerges as a complex figure-a dedicated teacher, a brilliant comedian, a lonely artist and a suicidal misfit who was consistently outrageous and seemingly obsessed with himself. (Before his death on March 4, 1999, Close made Griggs promise to find a way to keep his skull and ashes in the Del Close Theater at Improv Olympic so that he could still "affect the work.") Griggs's descriptions of Close's filthy living habits and his obscene bombast will put some readers off their lunch and, by focusing almost exclusively on private, affectionate anecdotes, Griggs is rarely able to convey the enormity of Close's talent. However, this book succeeds as a personal tribute to a tortured but beloved friend.
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*Starred Review* Actor, director, and improv guru Del Close is best remembered as teacher, director, and mentor of several generations of much more famous comic actors, including John Belushi, Bill Murray, John Candy, and Chris Farley. Griggs' memoir recounts Close's last year, during which Griggs was a combination errand boy, chauffeur, and man Friday for Close. Griggs took the job in return for free acting classes with Close at Close's theater, the Chicago-based ImprovOlympic. Griggs' account follows a predictable, if natural, arc. Early on, the notoriously prickly and sharp-tongued Close holds the only somewhat less prickly and sharp-tongued Griggs at a distance and cuts him no slack. As time goes on, however, Griggs earns Close's begrudging trust as Close takes Griggs on a series of unlikely adventures in the most mundane locations: bank lobbies, grocery stories, city streets at night. Griggs alternates his recollections with chapters devoted to Close's life and work; his troubled youth in Manhattan, Kansas; his days as a director for the Committee and the Second City; and his many experiments with turning Viola Spolin-style theatrical improvisation into an art. Griggs writes like an inspired amateur, and much of the book reads like a series of quickly written blog entries. Griggs' prose may be rough, but it is also energetic and heartfelt, honest and utterly riveting. Jack Helbig
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Review
I loved it. Truly. God bless Jeff for hitting the mark. It manages to be so happily depressing and miserably funny at the same time. Del was such a complex character that I always thought you would need 5 books to show people how Del worked and lived. But Jeff does it in under 300 pages. Every improviser should read this book. Twice. -- Ike Barinholtz, MADtv
Get inside the brain of Del Close and witness the evolution of comedy. -- Matt Besser, Upright Citizens Brigade
One day he was ranting and raving and the next day he was the genius of improvisation―some days he was both. Del Close was a guru to so many of us. He directed brilliant shows for The Second City and once walked many miles in the snow in bare feet to kill me. What can I say, I respected this strange man. Jeff Griggs treats us to the inside story of a man who was complicated, larger than life and murderously entertaining. -- Andrew Alexander, Second City
Del Close was a certifiable 'genius.' Brilliant, maddening, knowledgeable, funny, passionate, perverse―beyond comprehension, beyond capturing in a few words. Jeff Griggs has done a better job of it in Guru. It sounds like Del, it feels like Del. Hell, it IS Del―one of the most influential people in modern American comedy. It's good to hear his 'voice' again. -- John Ostrander, author of comic books including "Grimjack," "Legends," "Firestorm," and "Suicide Squad"
As Socrates was to learning, Lenin was to communism, and Al Sloan was to General Motors, so Del Close was the force which impelled Second City and improv to its present standing. Griggs's portrait is touching, funny and captures Del's essence beautifully. -- Dan Aykroyd, Second City 1971-75 Toronto/Chicago/Pasadena
Griggs's timed and textured prose is anything but improvisational.... Sensitive, discerning, and deeply affectionate without ever slopping over into hagiography. ― Kirkus
Offers insight into the world of improvisational theater. Recommended. -- Rosellen Brewer ― Library Journal
Guru is a fitting homage to Close's place in the comedy pantheon. -- Jonathan Messinger ― Time Out Chicago
Griggs' prose…is…energetic and heartfelt, honest and utterly riveting. -- Jack Helbig ― Booklist
A particularly detailed and complete picture. ― Kopete.org
This book succeeds as a personal tribute to a tortured but beloved friend. ― Second City
About the Author
Jeff Griggs was born in Quincy, Illinois, and attended Illinois colleges before becoming a radio host and weekend TV weather forecaster. He quit the media to study improvisational theater at ImprovOlympic. He is now an actor, director, and improviser in Chicago.
