Gary Austin

Gary Austin is the founder and original director of The Groundlings, Los Angeles' premier character-based improv company, which began in 1974. Many of "Saturday Night Live's" actors and writers have come from The Groundlings. He began his professional career as a performing member of San Francisco's famed improv company, The Committee, where he worked with Second City's Del Close. Gary holds a BA degree in theater from San Francisco State University. He is the producer and artistic director of The Gary Austin Workshops. His students work throughout the world of entertainment as actors, singers, comedians, writers, directors and producers. Some notable artists to come from The Groundlings are Lisa Kudrow, Will Ferrell, Paul Reubens (Pee Wee Herman), Laraine Newman, Kathy Griffin, Cheryl Hines, Jon Lovitz, Chris Kattan, Cheri Oteri, Maya Rudolph, Julia Sweeney, Phil LaMarr, Ana Gasteyer, Mindy Sterling, Wil Forte, Jennifer Coolidge, Kristen Whig and the late Phil Hartman.