For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close

About the movie

For Madmen Only is a poignant look at the comedy guru and improv impresario Del Close who was a trailblazer and mentor to many of the comedy greats. Del Close had a peculiar talent of making everyone famous but himself, and the documentary follows his rise to stardom from being an “human torch” sideshow act to his influential and contentious rise at The Second City and how he was mentoring comedy sensations such as Bill Murrey, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and Bob Odenkirk, among others. For Madmen Only delves on his ongoing project of creating a DC Comics title called Wasteland, but mostly it follows Del Close as a multi-layered picture of a man walking the thin line of genius and despair, creativity and insanity, comedy and tragedy.
Directed by Emmy-winning director and producer Heather Ross, For Madmen Only is an exploration inside the head of the legendary improv teacher, Del Close. The film premiered at SWSW Film Festival.
“Provides incredible insight” – Slash Film
“Funny and poignant” – The Hollywood Reporter
“A captivating documentary everyone should see” – Film Threat

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