"The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club" Brings Laughter and Added Starpower to Universal CityWalk as Gala New Comedy Showcase Opens May 28, '09 Blooloop

Comedian, actor and writer Jon Lovitz adds a new role to his list of credits as he becomes proprietor of The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club, a gala new comedy showcase with some innovative twists, opening at Universal CityWalk May 28, 2009.

The club marks the two-time Emmy Award nominee’s first venture into nightclub ownership. The former "Saturday Night Live" star, who has appeared in over 30 movies and dozens of television series and specials, will perform regularly at the new approximately 400-seat club and will play a leading role in booking a performance line-up that will blend veteran stars with comedy’s top newcomers.

"This will be unlike anything anybody has ever experienced at a comedy club and it’s certain to be a smashing success. We’re offering great comedy, great food and an atmosphere of a tropical beach resort. It’s so real, the club’s indoors and I still got a tan, " said Jon Lovitz.

Larry Kurzweil, President and Chief Operating Officer, Universal Studios Hollywood, said: "This is a terrific addition to CityWalk’s portfolio of live entertainment, adding a new dimension to our premier collection of music venues, restaurants and theaters. Jon’s edgy humor and his innovative plans are a perfect complement to our position as The Entertainment Capital of L.A."

The Jon Lovitz Comedy Club will feature a variety of dinner and snack choices from Mulberry Street Pizza, Jerry’s Famous Deli and gourmet food from The Perfect Bite. Drinks from a full bar will be available.

Emmy Award nominee, Production Designer, Bruce Ryan is designing the club in partnership with Jon Lovitz and his business partner Frank Kelly, one of the country’s leading top comedy club managers.

Jon Lovitz is a California native, born and raised in the L.A. suburb of Tarzana. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine before joining "The Groundlings Theater" in Hollywood. It was at The Groundlings that Lovitz was approached by Lorne Michaels to join "Saturday Night Live." As a cast member on SNL, Lovitz made characters like "The Liar" a pop-culture phenomenon, inciting fans to repeat his catch phrase "Yeah, that’s the ticket." After leaving Saturday Night Live, Lovitz went on to co-star in such films as "A League of Their Own, " "City Slickers, " "The Wedding Singer, " "Benchwarmers" and more. He has also appeared in television episodes of "Friends, " "Seinfeld, " "Las Vegas" as well as lending his voice to characters on "The Simpsons" and "The Critic." In 2004, Lovitz added stand-up comedian to his resume, touring comedy clubs nationwide. Lovitz’ latest project is opening his own comedy club at the Universal City Walk in May 2009.

Universal CityWalk, part of Universal Studios Hollywood, features over 60 entertainment-themed restaurants, nightclubs, shops and dynamic entertainment options as well as Universal CityWalk Cinemas, offering the best movie-going experience in Los Angeles.

Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A., is a unit of Universal Parks & Resorts, a division of Universal Studios, a part of NBC Universal. NBC Universal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. Formed in May of 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group, and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80% owned by General Electric, with 20% controlled by Vivendi.