Godfather of Twin Cities comedy scene, Dudley Riggs dies at 88

[mac56]

Source: Star Tribune

Dudley Riggs, the witty showman who gave his name to a comedy troupe and gave Twin Citians and the world loads of laughter even as he provided a spawning ground for Hollywood talent, died Tuesday in Minneapolis. He was 88.

Riggs is best known as the owner and producer of the Brave New Workshop, America's oldest improvisational sketch comedy troupe. Workshop alumni include comedians Louie Anderson and Lizz Winstead, screenwriter Pat Proft ("The Naked Gun&quot , actors Carl Lumbly ("Cagney & Lacey," "Alias&quot and Melissa Peterman ("Reba&quot and Al Franken, the former senator and "Saturday Night Live" regular.

"He was our boot camp toward show business," Anderson said Tuesday afternoon. "When we went on to travel the country or went to the next level, we had some kind of idea of what we were doing -- or at least knew enough that we could pretend we did."

Born Jan. 18, 1932, in Arkansas to a father who owned an itinerant circus, Riggs led an life of travel. He told the Star Tribune in 2010 that he didn't have any stability until adulthood.

"I've been in denial about that, because it's a little tough when you say that for the first 30 years of my life, I didn't have a personal mailing address," Riggs said.


Read more: https://www.startribune.com/dudley-riggs-godfather-of-twin-cities-comedy-scene-dies-at-88/572493541/

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[Wellstone ruled]

1. Sad.

Do remember many a trip to the Old Log.

[whistler162]

2. Someone call OSHA

the Riggs are falling. First Diana and now Dudley! RIP

[BHDem53]

3. RIP, Mr. Riggs.

Some big time comedic talent has come out of the Cities.

[StClone]

4. Twin Cities and MN is an active scene.

Prince, Steve Cannon, Maria Bamford and more are some of my faves. Alas, Steve was a drive time radio personality who should of had a national show.

[BHDem53]

5. I grew up on the SD side of

the Minnesota state line. My folks always listened to WCCO. I remember Mr. Cannon's deep voice and also Boone and Erickson and their funny interactions.