Mitzi Shore: The woman who shaped modern comedy

Mitzi Shore wasn’t just another name in the comedy world, she was the backbone, the pioneer who carved out a space for countless legendary comedians and she has a La Jolla connection.

Born on July 25, 1927, in Milwaukee, Shore set her sights on an acting career when she moved to Los Angeles in the late 1940s. But as fate would have it, her true talent wasn’t in front of the camera but behind the scenes, helping to shape an entire generation of stand-up comedians.

By 1972, she made her mark with The Comedy Store on Sunset Boulevard, turning what was once just another club into a holy ground for aspiring comedians. Under her eye, the club wasn’t just a venue — it was where stars like Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, and Jim Carrey discovered their comedic voices.

“Mitzi had a remarkable eye for talent,” Adam Sandler said. “She could tell who would succeed just by watching their first few minutes on stage.”

And boy, did she know how to pick them.

MORE THAN A COMEDY CLUB OWNER

Also, Shore wasn’t just running a comedy club; she was nurturing a family of misfits who needed guidance as much as they needed laughs. She could see potential where others might not. Howie Mandel once said: “Mitzi Shore was the heart and soul of The Comedy Store. She taught us how to find our voice.”

It was this kind of hands-on mentorship that set her apart. Why? To Shore, comedy was personal, and she was known to push comedians to dig deeper and find their unique voices, and that’s why so many revered her.

Her son, Pauly Shore, perhaps summed it up best after her passing: “My mom was not just my mother; she was a pioneer for women in comedy. Her legacy will live on forever.”

Fellow comedian Chris D’Elia didn’t hold back either when he said: “Without Mitzi, there wouldn’t be half the comedians we have today. She changed the game for all of us.”

A SECOND ACT IN LA JOLLA

In the later years of her life, She found peace in La Jolla, away from the neon lights of Sunset Boulevard. Though she had stepped back from the daily grind of running The Comedy Store, her love for comedy never faded. “La Jolla’s energy is completely different. It gives me the peace I need to think creatively,” Shore once said. Here, she could unwind, reflect, and continue to inspire.

But of course, she wasn’t one to stay idle for long.

In 1976, she opened The La Jolla Comedy Store, giving San Diego’s comedy scene a serious boost. It quickly became a favorite go-to for top-tier comedians looking to escape Hollywood’s chaos.

David Spade, Whitney Cummings, and Sebastian Maniscalco all frequented the club, drawn by its intimate setting and Shore’s special factor.

“La Jolla was like a second home to Mitzi,” comedian Marc Maron once said. “She took the essence of The Comedy Store and recreated it here, giving local comedians the same chance to develop and grow.”

SAYING GOODBYE TO A LEGEND

Mitzi Shore passed away on April 11, 2018, at her home in La Jolla, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. The comedy world felt the loss deeply, with an outpouring of love and tributes from comedians everywhere. Carrey said: “She was a magical person who gave people hope.”

Although she was laid to rest in Los Angeles, her spirit most likely still lingers in La Jolla. The Comedy Store continues to pay homage to her legacy, with special tribute nights and events that continue her tradition of discovering fresh talent.

Sources:

1. Los Angeles Times: Mitzi Shore, Comedy Store Founder and Trailblazer, Dies at 90
2. Variety: Mitzi Shore, Comedy Store Founder, Dies at 90
3. Hollywood Reporter: Mitzi Shore, Comedy Store Founder, Dead at 90
4. Vulture: Remembering Mitzi Shore, Comedy Store Founder
5. NBC San Diego: Comedian Mitzi Shore, Founder of the Comedy Store, Dies at 90
6. People: Mitzi Shore, Founder of the Comedy Store, Dies at 90
7. San Diego Union-Tribune: Remembering Mitzi Shore