About JoAnne Astrow
JoAnne Astrow (born 1938) is an American actress, comedian, producer and talent manager. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and began her career as an improv comedian and commercial actress in New York City, where she and her husband Mark Lonow created the improv show Off the Wall. After moving to Los Angeles in 1976, she was encouraged by her friend Elayne Boosler to take up stand-up comedy and became a successful touring comedian, appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In 1979 she helped lead the strike at the Comedy Store that resulted in performers being paid, and afterward served as acting chair of Comedians for Compensation. After retiring from stand-up she became a talent manager for comedians including Lewis Black, Kathleen Madigan, Niecy Nash and Doug Stanhope, and earned a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2007 as an executive producer of Black's special Lewis Black: Red, White and Screwed.
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Frequently asked questions
How did JoAnne Astrow start in comedy?
JoAnne Astrow began as an improv comedian and commercial actress in New York City, where she and Mark Lonow created the improv show Off the Wall.
Why did JoAnne Astrow take up stand-up?
After she moved to Los Angeles in 1976, her friend Elayne Boosler encouraged her to try stand-up, and she became a successful touring comedian who appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
What was JoAnne Astrow's role in the Comedy Store strike?
In 1979 she helped lead the strike at the Comedy Store that got performers paid, and she then served as acting chair of Comedians for Compensation.
Which comedians has JoAnne Astrow managed?
After leaving stand-up she became a talent manager for comedians including Lewis Black, Kathleen Madigan, Niecy Nash and Doug Stanhope.
Was JoAnne Astrow nominated for an Emmy?
Yes. She earned a Primetime Emmy nomination in 2007 as an executive producer of Lewis Black: Red, White and Screwed.
