National Comedy Center

Comedian Tom Smothers Has Passed Away at Age 86

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, December 27, 2023

Comedian Tom Smothers, one half of the legendary Smothers Brothers comedy team, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the age of 86, following a recent battle with cancer.

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Comedian Tom Smothers, one half of the legendary Smothers Brothers comedy team, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, at the age of 86, following a recent battle with cancer.
Dick Smothers, Tom’s brother and co-star of the celebrated and groundbreaking Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, announced that Tom was at home with his family in Sonoma County, CA at the time of his death.
Smothers is survived by his children Bo and Riley Rose Smothers, grandson Phoenix, Marcy Carriker Smothers, sister-in-law Marie Smothers, and several nephews and a niece.
Dick Smothers stated, “Tom was not only the loving older brother that everyone would want in their life, he was a one-of-a-kind creative partner.

National Comedy Center to Preserve Don Rickles Archive

Retrieved on:

Thursday, November 16, 2023

The National Comedy Center , the United States’ official cultural institution dedicated to the art form of comedy, announced today that it will be preserving an archival collection from Don Rickles’ estate, showcasing the late comedy legend’s six-decade career.

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The National Comedy Center , the United States’ official cultural institution dedicated to the art form of comedy, announced today that it will be preserving an archival collection from Don Rickles’ estate, showcasing the late comedy legend’s six-decade career.
The donation to the National Comedy Center was made by Rickles’ daughter, comedian Mindy Rickles, who wished to make her father’s career collection accessible to comedy fans, students, and researchers, while also preserving his legacy for future generations.
“Rickles’ comedy was relentlessly funny – he was a true original, beloved by his audiences and by the comedy community.”
“To be insulted by Don Rickles was a badge of honor,” added Gunderson.
Don deserves to have his archive collection preserved and the National Comedy Center can’t use the word Comedy without Don.” (full quote at comedyCenter.org/Rickles)
Don Rickles honed his comedic style in Miami before a 1957 break at Los Angeles’ Slate Brother’s Club vaulted him to national acclaim.

National Comedy Center Becomes Home to Joan Rivers’ Career Archive Including Legendary Joke File

Retrieved on:

Thursday, June 8, 2023

"I am so honored that my mother's archives will have a home at the National Comedy Center.

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"I am so honored that my mother's archives will have a home at the National Comedy Center.
To be included with the legends of comedy who are represented at the National Comedy Center is amazing.
The joke file consists of several file drawers, once installed in Rivers’ home office, meticulously arranged by subject matter.
This is why it’s so important that the National Comedy Center exists—to preserve our vital comedy heritage.

Record-Breaking Comedians Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias and Taylor Tomlinson Headline National Comedy Center’s 2023 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival

Retrieved on:

Friday, May 5, 2023

The National Comedy Center , the nation’s official museum and cultural institution dedicated to comedy, announced today that comedians Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias and Taylor Tomlinson will headline the 2023 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival , August 2 through 6.

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The National Comedy Center , the nation’s official museum and cultural institution dedicated to comedy, announced today that comedians Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias and Taylor Tomlinson will headline the 2023 Lucille Ball Comedy Festival , August 2 through 6.
Iglesias is the star and executive producer of the Netflix original comedy series Mr. Iglesias and numerous Netflix stand-up specials.
"I’m so excited to be a part of this summer’s Lucille Ball Comedy Festival in Jamestown, NY!” stated Taylor Tomlinson.
“It’s fitting that National Comedy Center’s festival will be headlined by both a legend of, and the future of, comedy.

Dimensional Innovations and Partners Create Dallas Mavericks Interactive Experience

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

KANSAS CITY, Mo.and DALLAS, Oct. 4, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Dimensional Innovations (DI), in partnership with the Dallas Mavericks, JRA - Part of RWS Entertainment Group, Heritage Werks and DI Build, is proud to announce Mavs Vault, presented by ShiftKey — an immersive, public exhibition highlighting the organization's 42-year history through never-before-seen artifacts, archival footage, merchandise, memorabilia and more. Located within the Hall of State at Fair Park at this year's State Fair of Texas, the exhibit is open to fans now through October 23rd.

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DI, an experience design, tech and fabrication firm, worked in close collaboration with JRA, an attraction design company, to create an engaging experience for all who entered the vault.
"Creating the ultimate Dallas Mavericks experience for Mavs Vault was unlike anything we've done before," said Dallas Mavericks Director of Events Ashley Gambino.
"JRA is honored to have worked with the Dallas Mavericks and our partners at Dimensional Innovations, Heritage Werks and DI Build on this exciting project," said JRA Executive Vice President, Shawn McCoy.
www.dimin.com
The Dallas Mavericks are a first-class global sports and entertainment organization providing memorable experiences for fans worldwide.

Betty White Collection Donated to National Comedy Center Archives

Retrieved on:

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

Film & Motion Pictures, Arts, Museums, Entertainment, Celebrity, TV and Radio, People, National Comedy Center, Television, Tonight, National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Industry, Screen Actors Guild Awards, Betty, Hot in Cleveland, Collection, Smothers Brothers, Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum & Center for Comedy, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Female, U.S. News & World Report, Emmy Awards, Museum, Life, USA Today, The Tonight Show, Comedy, Lucille Ball, Van Gogh immersive experiences, Radio, American Comedy Awards, The New York Times, Country, XLV, TIME, Smithsonian Institution, Super Bowl, News, Saturday Night Live, United, Â, Rose Nylund, Friends, Humour, Congress, Grammy Awards, SNL, White, CBS, Ellen G. White Estate, The Golden Girls, Hari Shivdasani, Tripadvisor, Artifact, Education, Guinness, Culver Studios, Film, Entertainment, General store

We are truly honored to celebrate Betty White in our galleries and to preserve her materials for generations to come.

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We are truly honored to celebrate Betty White in our galleries and to preserve her materials for generations to come.
We are delighted to donate these important pieces from Betty Whites career to the National Comedy Center, the nations official home for the celebration and preservation of comedy, stated Glenn Kaplan, who represents the Betty White Estate.
I'm so very pleased that everyone who loved Betty can now visit the National Comedy Center and remember her incredible talent, her wonderful sense of humor and her extraordinary kindness."
The National Comedy Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural institution whose mission is funded by philanthropic support.

National Comedy Center Named a “25 Top Family Weekend Getaway in the U.S.” by U.S. News & World Report

Retrieved on:

Monday, August 22, 2022

The National Comedy Center , the nations official cultural institution and museum dedicated to comedy, was named a Top 25 Family Weekend Getaways in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report and a top destination to explore for memory-making vacations with loved ones.

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The National Comedy Center , the nations official cultural institution and museum dedicated to comedy, was named a Top 25 Family Weekend Getaways in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report and a top destination to explore for memory-making vacations with loved ones.
For all those who love to laugh, the National Comedy Center is the perfect weekend getaway.
The National Comedy Center is one of only eight destinations in the Northeast on the family weekend getaway list and one of only three destinations located in New York State.
Stay connected to the National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum:

National Comedy Center to Open New Multi-Media Carl Reiner Exhibit

Retrieved on:

Friday, March 18, 2022

View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220318005376/en/

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View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220318005376/en/
The new multi-media exhibit "Carl Reiner: Keep Laughing" will debut at the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, NY this summer as Reiner's centennial year is honored.
The presentation will feature in-person and video appearances by special guests as well as rare footage from the National Comedy Centers new exhibit.
Reiner was an early advocate and an instrumental supporter for the National Comedy Centers vision to celebrate comedy as an art form.
In 2021, the National Comedy Center formally named its ongoing work to preserve comedys heritage in honor of Reiner.

“In Living Color” Archive Collection to Be Donated to National Comedy Center

Retrieved on:

Tuesday, February 1, 2022

Im thrilled to donate this one-of-a-kind In Living Color collection to the National Comedy Center, where it will live to tell the story of the shows creation, stated Tamara Rawitt.

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Im thrilled to donate this one-of-a-kind In Living Color collection to the National Comedy Center, where it will live to tell the story of the shows creation, stated Tamara Rawitt.
In Living Color was a landmark television series that revolutionized comedy, broke creative boundaries and has influenced comedic artists for over thirty years now, stated National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson.
Its a true honor for the National Comedy Center to become the home of this extraordinary collection.
The National Comedy Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit cultural institution whose mission is funded by philanthropic support.

Russell Public Communications Marks 20th Anniversary, Renews Its College Scholarship Program

Retrieved on:

Thursday, January 13, 2022

TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Russell Public Communications , an award-winning public relations and public affairs firm based in Tucson, marked its 20th anniversary this week and renewed its pledge to the Sahuaro Cougar Foundation to support college scholarships for graduating Sahuaro High School students.

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TUCSON, Ariz., Jan. 13, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Russell Public Communications , an award-winning public relations and public affairs firm based in Tucson, marked its 20th anniversary this week and renewed its pledge to the Sahuaro Cougar Foundation to support college scholarships for graduating Sahuaro High School students.
The firm launched the Russell Public Scholarship in 2012 and has since awarded $10,000 to college-bound Cougars.
Company Founder/CEO Matt Russell, a 1985 graduate of Sahuaro High School, noted the importance of giving back and the central role that plays in the firm's purpose.
A three-time recipient of the Public Relations Society of America-Southern Arizona Chapter's "Best in Show Impact Award" for PR campaign of the year, Russell Public Communications has represented a wide range of clients from its offices in Tucson and Washington, D.C.