Del Close, born on March 9, 1934, in Manhattan, Kansas, was a legendary figure in improvisational comedy and theater. As an actor, writer, and influential teacher, he co-founded The Second City in Chicago and mentored iconic comedians like John Belushi, Bill Murray, and Stephen Colbert. Close’s career highlights include developing the Harold improv technique and co-authoring the book “Truth in Comedy,” which has shaped modern comedy. His quotes, often drawn from interviews, books, and posthumous shares on social media, reflect his philosophical insights on life, creativity, and human experience. In the following list, we present 15 of his quotes about life, offering a glimpse into his wisdom and worldview.
15 Del Close Quotes
1. “Life is the ultimate improv scene—always changing, never scripted, so just roll with it.” (Interview, Chicago Tribune, 1987)
2. “Embrace failure; it’s the fertilizer that helps new ideas bloom in the garden of life.” (Book, “Truth in Comedy,” 1994)
3. “The key to a fulfilling life is saying ‘yes’ to the unexpected, even when it scares you.” (Interview, The New York Times, 1990)
4. “We’re all co-writers in the story of existence; collaboration makes the narrative richer.” (Documentary, “The Second City: A Documentary,” 2005)
5. “Don’t wait for perfection—life’s beauty lies in its imperfections and surprises.” (Interview, Rolling Stone, 1975)
6. “True freedom comes from letting go of control and trusting the flow of life’s improvisations.” (Book, “Truth in Comedy,” 1994)
7. “Every ending is just a setup for a new beginning; that’s the rhythm of life.” (Attributed in biography by Kim “Howard” Johnson, n.d.)
8. “Life teaches us that the best laughs come from vulnerability and shared humanity.” (Interview, Playboy, 1972)
9. “In the theater of life, your authenticity is your greatest performance.” (Social Media, Quoted in tweet by @SecondCity, 2018)
10. “Cherish the present moment; it’s the only real thing we have in this improvised existence.” (Interview, National Public Radio, 1996)
11. “Life’s challenges are like bad scenes—edit them quickly and move on to something better.” (Book, “Truth in Comedy,” 1994)
12. “Connection with others is the heartbeat of a meaningful life; isolation is its silence.” (Documentary, “American Masters: Del Close,” 2010)
13. “Humor is life’s survival tool; it turns pain into something we can all share and heal from.” (Interview, Los Angeles Times, 1985)
14. “Live boldly, as if every day is an audition for your own epic story.” (Social Media, Shared on Facebook by The Second City, 2022)
15. “At the end of the day, life is about the relationships we build and the love we create together.” (Interview, Chicago Sun-Times, 1998)
These quotes from Del Close illuminate his profound perspective on life’s improvisational essence, highlighting themes of resilience, creativity, and human connection. They reveal a man who approached existence with humor, openness, and depth, inspiring generations to embrace uncertainty. Close’s wisdom encourages us to live more authentically and collaboratively. We invite you to share your thoughts or a favorite quote in the comments below—how has his insight impacted your life?