List of alumni of the Second City

The following are notable writers, performers, directors, and musicians who have performed with the Second City.

Notable alumni of the Second City Chicago mainstage, e.t.c. stage and touring companies

(Theatre opened 1959)

1959/1960s

• (1959) Severn Darden (Battle for the Planet of the Apes)
• (1959) Paul Sills (Paul Sills' Story Theatre)
• (1959) Barbara Harris (Nashville, Freaky Friday)
• (1959) Roger Bowen
• (1959) Anne Meara
• (1959) Sheldon Patinkin
• (1959) Bernard Sahlins
• (1959) Jerry Stiller
• (1960) Paul Sand (The Hot Rock)
• (1960) Alan Arkin (The Russians Are Coming, the Russians Are Coming, Little Miss Sunshine)
• (1961) Melinda Dillon (A Christmas Story, Close Encounters of the Third Kind)
• (1961) Joan Rivers
• (1961) Avery Schreiber (My Mother the Car)
• (1961) Del Close (Ferris Bueller's Day Off)
• (1961) Bill Alton
• (1961) John Brent
• (1961) Hamilton Camp
• (1961) Anthony Holland
• (1961) Zohra Lampert
• (1961) Alan Myerson
• (1963) Ann Elder
• (1963) Richard Libertini
• (1963) Jack Burns (The Muppet Movie co-writer, Fridays)
• (1964) David Steinberg (The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The Tonight Show)
• (1964) Ian Davidson
• (1965) Josephine Forsberg
• (1965) David Paulsen
• (1965) Robert Klein (Comedy Tonight, SNL)
• (1965) Fred Willard (Fernwood 2Nite, Roseanne, Everybody Loves Raymond, A Mighty Wind')
• (1965) Judy Graubart (The Electric Company)
• (1966) David Walsh
• (1967) Peter Boyle (Young Frankenstein, Taxi Driver, Everybody Loves Raymond)
• (1967) Lynne Lipton
• (1968) Murphy Dunne
• (1968) Carol Robinson
• (1969) Joe Flaherty (SCTV, Freaks and Geeks)
• (1969) Brian Doyle-Murray (JFK, SNL, Groundhog Day, Caddyshack)
• (1969) Harold Ramis (SCTV, Ghostbusters, Stripes)
• (1969) David Blum
• (1969) Martin de Maat
• (1969) Jim Fisher

1970s

• (1971) John Belushi (SNL, Animal House, The Blues Brothers, Neighbors)
• (1973) Gilda Radner (SNL, Gilda Radner Live from the Winter Garden Theatre)
• (1973) Bill Murray (SNL, Groundhog Day, Lost in Translation, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters, Meatballs, Stripes, Where the Buffalo Roam)
• (1973) Tino Insana
• (1973) John Candy
• (1973) Betty Thomas (Hill Street Blues)
• (1973) Dan Aykroyd (SNL, Ghostbusters, Driving Miss Daisy, The Blues Brothers)
• (1974) Eugene Levy (SCTV, A Mighty Wind, American Pie)
• (1974) Deborah Harmon
• (1974) Catherine O'Hara
• (1974) Rosemary Radcliffe
• (1974) Gilda Radner
• (1975) Dave Thomas (SCTV, Strange Brew, Grace Under Fire)
• (1975) Joe Flaherty
• (1975) Miriam Flynn
• (1975) George Wendt (Cheers)
• (1976) Shelley Long (Cheers)
• (1978) James Belushi (SNL, According to Jim)
• (1979) Steven Kampmann
• (1978) Tim Kazurinsky (SNL, Police Academy)
• (1979) Mary Gross (SNL, Hot to Trot, Feds)
• (1979) Bruce Jarchow

1980s

• (Tour) Julia Louis-Dreyfus (SNL, Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Veep)
• (1980) Lance Kinsey
• (1981) John Kapelos
• (1982) Meagen Fay (Kingdom Hospital, Six Feet Under, Desperate Housewives)
• (1983) Richard Kind (Mad About You, Spin City)
• (1983) Bekka Eaton
• (1983) Michael Hagerty
• (1985) Andy Dick (The Ben Stiller Show, NewsRadio, Less Than Perfect)
• (1986) Dan Castellaneta (The Tracey Ullman Show, The Simpsons)
• (1986) Bonnie Hunt (Life With Bonnie, Cheaper by the Dozen, Cars, The Bonnie Hunt Show)
• (Tour) Jane Lynch (Glee, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind)
• (1987) Aaron Freeman
• (1988) Mike Myers (SNL, Wayne's World, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Shrek)
• (1989) Joel Murray (One Crazy Summer, Dharma and Greg, Mad Men)
• (1989) David Pasquesi (Strangers with Candy, TJ & Dave)
• (1989) Chris Farley (SNL, Tommy Boy, Black Sheep)
• (1989) Tim Meadows (SNL, The Ladies Man, Mean Girls, The Bill Engvall Show)
• (1989) Tim O'Malley (Return to Me, Godshow)
• (1989) Holly Wortell

1990s

• (1990) Bob Odenkirk (Mr. Show, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul)
• (1990) Tom Gianas
• (1990) Tim O'Malley
• (1990) Jill Talley
• (1991) Steve Carell (The Daily Show, The Office, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Little Miss Sunshine)
• (1991) Jeff Garlin (Curb Your Enthusiasm, I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With, The Goldbergs)
• (1991) Ian Gomez (The Drew Carey Show, Cougar Town)
• (1991) Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Connie and Carla, My Life in Ruins)
• (1992) Paul Dinello (Strangers with Candy, Exit 57)
• (1992) Amy Sedaris (Strangers with Candy, Exit 57)
• (1993) Stephen Colbert (Strangers with Candy, Exit 57, The Daily Show, The Colbert Report, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)
• (1993) Mitch Rouse (Strangers with Candy, Exit 57, Factory, Employee of the Month)
• (1994) Scott Adsit (Mr. Show, 30 Rock, Moral Orel, Big Hero 6)
• (1994) David Koechner (SNL, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The Office, The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show)
• (1994) Jackie Hoffman
• (1994) Nancy Walls (SNL, The Daily Show, The Office)
• (Tour) Amy Poehler (SNL, Baby Mama, Parks and Recreation, Upright Citizens Brigade)
• (Tour) Matt Walsh (Upright Citizens Brigade, Veep)
• (1995) Rachel Dratch (SNL, 30 Rock)
• (1995) Adam McKay (SNL, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby)
• (1995) Jon Glaser (Delocated, Late Night with Conan O'Brien)
• (1996) Tina Fey
• (1996) Horatio Sanz (SNL, The New Guy, Fillmore!)
• (1996) Mick Napier (Annoyance Theater, Next Comedy Legend)
• (1996) Kevin Dorff (Delocated, Late Night with Conan O'Brien)
• (Tour) Peter Gwinn (The Colbert Report)
• (1997) T. J. Jagodowski (The Ice Harvest, TJ & Dave)
• (1997) Jim Zulevic (Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm)
• (1998) Stephnie Weir (MADtv, Big Day)
• (1998) Susan Messing (Annoyance Theater, Let's Go to Prison, Messing With a Friend)
• (1998) Jeff Richmond
• (1998) Tami Sagher
• (1999) Jack McBrayer (30 Rock)

2000s

• (2000) Craig Cackowski (Drunk History, Thrilling Adventure Hour)
• (2000) Angela V. Shelton (Frangela)
• (2001) Keegan-Michael Key (MADtv, Key & Peele)
• (Tour) John Lutz (30 Rock, SNL)
• (2003) Dan Bakkedahl (The Daily Show, Veep)
• (2003) Liz Cackowski
• (2004) Frank Caeti (MADtv)
• (2004) Brian Gallivan (The McCarthys, Are You There, Chelsea?)
• (2004) Maribeth Monroe (Workaholics)
• (2005) Matt Craig
• (2005) Molly Erdman
• (2008) Lauren Ash
• (2008) Mike O'Brien (SNL, 7 Minutes in Heaven with Mike O'Brien)
• (Tour) Vanessa Bayer (SNL)
• (2010) Sam Richardson (Veep)
• (Tour) T.J. Miller (Big Hero 6, Silicon Valley)
• (Tour) Cecily Strong (SNL)
• (2011) Aidy Bryant (SNL, Comedy Bang Bang)

Notable alumni of the Second City Toronto mainstage

(Theatre opened 1973)

1970s

• (1973) Dan Aykroyd (SNL, Ghostbusters, The Blues Brothers)
• (1973) Jayne Eastwood (SCTV, This is Wonderland)
• (1973) Joe Flaherty (SCTV)
• (1973) Brian Doyle-Murray (SNL, Caddyshack, JFK, Groundhog Day)
• (1973) Gilda Radner (SNL)
• (1973) Bernard Sahlins
• (1974) John Candy (SCTV, Uncle Buck, Canadian Bacon)
• (1974) Eugene Levy (SCTV, American Pie, A Mighty Wind)
• (1974) Catherine O'Hara (SCTV, Home Alone, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind)
• (1974) Rosemary Radcliffe (Coming Up Rosie, Anne of Green Gables)
• (1974) Sheldon Patinkin
• (1975) Andrea Martin (SCTV, My Big Fat Greek Wedding)
• (1975) Dave Thomas (SCTV, Grace Under Fire, Strange Brew)
• (1976) Peter Aykroyd (Nothing But Trouble)
• (1977) Del Close (I.O.)
• (1977) Robin Duke (SNL, SCTV)
• (1977) Martin Short (SCTV, SNL, Father of the Bride, Fame Becomes Me)
• (1979) Derek McGrath (Little Mosque on the Prairie)
• (1979) Tony Rosato (SCTV, SNL)

1980s

• (1981) Deborah Kimmett
• (1981) Kathleen Laskey
• (1982) Don Lake (The Bonnie Hunt Show, The Dave Thomas Comedy Show)
• (1983) Debra McGrath (Getting Along Famously, Little Mosque on the Prairie)
• (1983) Bruce Hunter (Loose Moose Theatre, Puppets Who Kill)
• (1983) Adrian Truss (The Care Bears Movie)
• (1983) Ron James (Blackfly)
• (1985) Dana Andersen (Purple Gas)
• (1985) Linda Kash (Style & Substance)
• (1985) Scott Thompson (The Kids In The Hall, The Larry Sanders Show)
• (1985) Kevin McDonald (The Kids In The Hall, Lilo & Stitch)
• (1985) Dave Foley (The Kids In The Hall, NewsRadio)
• (1986) Mike Myers (SNL, Wayne's World, Austin Powers, Shrek)
• (1986) Deborah Theaker (Maniac Mansion)
• (1987) Ryan Stiles (U.S. and U.K. versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Two and a Half Men, The Drew Carey Show)
• (1988) Colin Mochrie (U.S. and U.K. versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Blackfly, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Getting Along Famously)
• (1988) Tim Sims (The Red Green Show)
• (1988) Mark Wilson (The Red Green Show, The High Life)
• (1989) Patrick McKenna (The Red Green Show, Traders)

1990s

• (1990) Kathryn Greenwood (Whose Line Is It Anyway?)
• (1990) Karen Hines (The Newsroom, Man of the Year)
• (1990) Gary Pearson (MADtv, This Hour Has 22 Minutes)
• (1993) Paul O'Sullivan (George Shrinks)
• (1993) Jonathan Wilson
• (1995) Albert Howell (Loose Moose Theatre, The Devil's Advocates)
• (1995) Jack Mosshammer (Train 48, Big Wolf On Campus, The Devil's Advocates)
• (1995) Teresa Pavlinek (History Bites, The Jane Show)
• (1996) Jennifer Irwin (Slings and Arrows)
• (1996) Bob Martin (Puppets Who Kill, The Drowsy Chaperone)
• (1997) Arnold Pinnock (Get Rich or Die Tryin')
• (1998) Gavin Crawford (The Gavin Crawford Show, This Hour Has 22 Minutes)
• (1998) Jerry C. Minor (SNL, Mr. Show)

2000s

• (2000) Geri Hall (This Hour Has 22 Minutes)
• (2001) Aurora Browne (Comedy Inc.)
• (2002) Pat Kelly (Loose Moose Theatre, Intern Academy)
• (2003) Naomi Snieckus
• (2004) Rebecca Northan (Loose Moose Theatre, Alice, I Think, This Hour Has 22 Minutes, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium)
• (2005) Lauren Ash (Super Fun Night)
• (2005) Mick Napier (Annoyance Theater, Next Comedy Legend)
• (2005) Anand Rajaram

Notable alumni of the Second City Detroit mainstage

(Theatre opened 1993 in downtown Detroit, relocated to Novi, Michigan in 2005, closed 2007)

• (1993) Colin Ferguson (Eureka)
• (1993) Jerry C. Minor (SNL, Mr. Show)
• (1993) Suzy Nakamura (The West Wing, Curb Your Enthusiasm)
• (1993) Angela Shelton (Frangela, Best Week Ever)
• (1994) Todd Stashwick (The Riches)
• (1996) Larry Joe Campbell (According to Jim, Weeds)
• (1997) Keegan-Michael Key (MADtv, Key & Peele)
• (1997) Brandon Johnson (Punk'd, BSTV)
• (1998) Marc Evan Jackson (Thrilling Adventure Hour, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, 22 Jump Street)
• (2001) Kiff VandenHeuvel (Richie Rich)

Notable alumni of the Second City Las Vegas mainstage

(Theatre opened 2001, closed 2008)

• (2001) Frank Caeti (MADtv)
• (2001) Mick Napier (Annoyance Theater, Next Comedy Legend)
• (2001) Jason Sudeikis (SNL, 30 Rock)
• (2001) Kay Cannon (30 Rock, Pitch Perfect)
• (2001) Dan Bakkedahl (The Daily Show, Veep)

Notable alumni of the Second City Cleveland mainstage

(Theatre opened 2002, closed 2003)

• (2002) Jack Hourigan (How to Boil Water)

Notable music directors of Second City

• Fred Kaz, Second City Chicago, Santa Monica
• Ruby Streak, Second City Chicago
• Patrick Dubois, Second City London
• Catherine Creary, Second City London
• Dave Thompson, Second City Toronto
• Bob Derkach, Second City Toronto, Edmonton, Santa Monica
• Jan Randall, Second City Toronto, Edmonton, Santa Monica
• Laura Hall, Second City e.t.c., Chicago (Whose Line Is It Anyway?)