Comedy Gives Back Names Zoe Friedman Executive Director

Comedy Gives Back announced the promotion of Zoe Friedman to Executive Director. The nonprofit provides financial assistance, mental health care, and recovery services to members of the comedy community. In the new role, Friedman will oversee fundraising and strategic alignment across programs. She will also monitor program effectiveness to address changing community needs.

co-founded Comedy Gives Back with Amber J Lawson and Jodi Lieberman. She grew up around comedy through her parents’ club, The Original Improvisation, where performers including Andy Kaufman, Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, Robert Klein, and Richard Lewis appeared.

She began her career at Late Show with David Letterman, booking comedians such as Dave Chappelle, Mitch Hedberg, and Jim Gaffigan. Friedman later worked at Comedy Central, developing series including Crank Yankers and Important Things with Demetri Martin.

The organization held its 2026 Alt Comedy All-Stars benefit show on April 22 at a Los Angeles theater. All ticket proceeds supported financial crisis relief, mental health therapy, chemical dependency treatment, and community programs for stand-up comedians.

Board member Dave Becky of 3 Arts Entertainment said Friedman brings strategy and soul to the position and is building a sustainable future for comedians. Jimmy Miller, founder and CEO of Mosaic Media Group, said Friedman is helping create a safety net in an industry that lacks traditional support systems.