EXCLUSIVE: Comedy Gives Back, the nonprofit providing a safety net for the comedy community through financial crisis, mental health care, and recovery services, has announced Zoe Friedman‘s elevation to Executive Director.
In her new role, Friedman is charged with leading the nonprofit into its next phase of growth, ensuring it remains a vital and enduring force for the comedy community. She will spearhead all fundraising efforts and drive strategic alignment across initiatives while closely tracking program effectiveness and impact to anticipate and meet the community’s evolving needs.
Co-founder of Comedy Gives Back alongside Amber J Lawson and Jodi Lieberman, Friedman has had a lifelong connection to comedy. She had a front-row seat to the early careers of legendary stand-up comedians including Andy Kaufman, Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, Robert Klein and Richard Lewis, who all performed at The Original Improvisation, the club opened by her parents, Budd and Silver Friedman.
Friedman began her career at Late Show with David Letterman, booking then-emerging comedians such as Dave Chappelle, Mitch Hedberg, and Jim Gaffigan. She went on to work at Comedy Central, developing original series including Crank Yankers, Important Things with Demetri Martin, and more for the network.
Dave Becky, Comedy Gives Back Board Member & Partner, 3 Arts Entertainment told us, “Zoe brings both strategy and soul to her role as Executive Director. She’s not only addressing today’s needs—she’s building a sustainable future for comedians who will rely on this organization for years to come.”
Jimmy Miller, founder and CEO of Mosaic Media Group added, “In an industry without traditional safety nets, Zoe Friedman is helping to build one. She recognizes the urgency of this work and is leading with both purpose and precision.”
Comedy Gives Back is coming off of the 2026 edition of its Alt Comedy All-Stars benefit show, featuring Bob Odenkirk and the cast of Mr. Show, along with Patton Oswalt, Mary Lynn Rajskub, Laura Kightlinger, and other special guests. The event took place at The Montálban Theatre in Los Angeles on April 22, with 100% of ticket sales going toward the organization’s mission of providing financial crisis relief, mental health therapy, chemical dependency treatment sponsorship, and community support for stand-up comedians.
