Who are the owners of Second City?

Second City is an iconic comedy club in Chicago that has been around since 1959. It has been the home of many legendary comedic acts, such as John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and Tina Fey. Second City has had many different owners throughout its history, and the current owners of the club are Andrew Alexander and Len Stuart.

Andrew Alexander is a Canadian-American businessman, producer, and theater owner. He is the president and chief executive officer of the Second City, and he has held this position since 1985. He has been the driving force behind the club’s success since he became the owner. Len Stuart is an American businessman, producer, and theater owner. He is the founder and chairman of the board of the Second City, and he has been involved with the club since its inception in 1959.

Together, Andrew Alexander and Len Stuart have maintained Second City’s legacy as one of the best comedy clubs in the world. They have been responsible for overseeing the club’s expansion to Toronto, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, and they have cultivated some of the biggest names in comedy. The duo have also been responsible for developing Second City’s educational arm, which consists of several improv and writing programs. They have also been instrumental in the production and development of television shows and films based on Second City’s notable alumni.

Andrew Alexander and Len Stuart are the current owners of Second City, and their legacy of producing top-notch comedy and fostering new comedic talent continues to this day. They have been responsible for the success of the club and its alumni, and they have played an important role in shaping the comedy scene in Chicago, Toronto, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas.

The History and Background of Second City’s Ownership

Since its inception in 1959, Second City has been owned and operated by a variety of individuals and organizations. The original founders, Howard Alk, Paul Sills, Bernie Sahlins, and Shelley Berman, were the first owners. They opened the original Chicago theater and slowly grew the company over the next few years.

In the 1960s, Second City was purchased by a group of investors led by Andrew Alexander. Alexander ran Second City for more than 40 years, expanding the company to include theaters in Toronto and Los Angeles, as well as a touring company. The company thrived under Alexander’s leadership, becoming a major influence on the comedy industry.

In 2018, Second City was acquired by Jamie Masada, the founder of the comedy club Laugh Factory. Masada has expressed his desire to invest in the Second City’s future and bring the company back to its roots in improvisational comedy. Masada has taken a hands-on approach to Second City, attending shows and offering advice to performers.

In 2020, Second City was purchased by the Canadian media company Cineplex for $30 million. Cineplex is one of the largest entertainment companies in Canada, and has a long history of producing and distributing films and television shows. Cineplex’s acquisition of Second City is part of the company’s strategy to diversify its business and expand its reach.

Since then, Cineplex has continued to invest in the Second City brand, expanding its reach across Canada and into the United States. The company has launched a series of projects, including a streaming platform and a virtual reality theater, as well as an online comedy school. Additionally, Cineplex has invested in the expansion of Second City’s theater, allowing for larger audiences and more shows.

Today, Second City is one of the most respected and successful comedy theaters in the world, with a loyal fanbase and a wide reach. Under Cineplex’s ownership, Second City looks to continue its success and cement its legacy in the comedy world.

Who Are Second City’s Current Owners?

Second City is widely known as the leading comedy theater in the United States. It began as a cabaret act in 1959, and since then, it has grown to become a global entertainment company. With the recent acquisition of Second City by the Carlyle Group, the theater’s ownership has changed. Carlyle Group is a private equity firm based in Washington, D.C., and it took ownership of Second City in June 2019.

The Carlyle Group is a global alternative asset management firm that focuses on technology, telecom, media, digital, healthcare, aerospace, and defense, among other industries. It is among the largest private equity firms in the world, with over $195 billion in assets under management. It is led by its founder and CEO, David Rubenstein, and has offices in 19 countries.

Second City’s current owners include the Carlyle Group, the Apollo Global Management, and the Third Point LLC. These three private equity firms are the current majority owners of Second City, with the Carlyle Group controlling the majority of the voting power. The Carlyle Group is the largest shareholder in Second City, owning 48.2% of the voting power, while Apollo Global Management and Third Point LLC own 24.1% and 16.7% respectively.

The Carlyle Group is the largest shareholder in Second City, and its CEO, David Rubenstein, is the chairman of the company. Other members of the Board of Directors include executives from Apollo Global Management, Third Point LLC, and Second City Management. The company also has an advisory board that includes prominent figures from the entertainment industry.

The Carlyle Group’s acquisition of Second City has enabled the theater to expand its reach and bring its comedy to an even larger audience. The company is now active in dozens of cities all around the world, and has plans to expand even further. The owners are confident in the future success of Second City, and hope that it will continue to bring joy to audiences for many years to come.