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Bernard "Bernie" Sahlins
Bernard "Bernie" Sahlins
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Bernard Sahlins Obituary
Andrew Alexander, one of Second City's current owners and its CEO, told The Associated Press that Sahlins died peacefully at his Chicago home with his family nearby. He is survived by his wife, Jane Nicholl Sahlins.
Sahlins and business partners Howard Alk and Paul Sills opened The Second City in December 1959, and it quickly gained national attention and helped establish Chicago as a vibrant comedy town, the Chicago Sun-Times reported (http://bit.ly/1bLDRZo ).
The Second City wasn't Sahlins' first attempt at running a theater. He was a producer-investor in a theater troupe in the early 1950s that was comprised of many fellow University of Chicago graduates, and he and several business partners produced plays at the Studebaker Theater from October 1956 until the following year, when it had to close due to a lack of funding.
In his 2002 memoir, "Days and Nights at the Second City," Sahlins wrote that he, Alk and Sills hadn't set out to build another theater.
"We had been burned enough times doing that. This was still the Beat generation, and we started out to found a coffee house where we idlers, including the actors whom we had with for years, could loll around and put the world in its proper place."
But The Second City caught on within months of opening, despite some early money problems and other issues, and it became instrumental in the growth and development of improvisational and sketch comedy.
Sahlins had an eye for talent, and he hired and nurtured the early careers of such future stars as John and Jim Belushi, Joan Rivers, Dan Aykroyd, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner and Harold Ramis, among others.
Shortly after "Saturday Night Live" began airing i n the fall of 1975, Second City became a breeding ground for the show. According to Second City producer emeritus Joyce Sloane, who died in 2011, Sahlins once half-jokingly commanded her to lock "SNL" creator and producer Lorne Michaels out of the building, the Sun-Times reported.
Alexander, who along with business partner Len Stuart bought The Second City from Sahlins in 1985, according to the theater's website, told the AP that Sahlins will be remembered for always urging performers to work at the top of their intellect, and that this is still preached at the theater today.
"You think about that theater, and think of all the stars that came out of it ... from Belushi to Aykroyd to Allan Arkin. It's extraordinary, the amount of talented people that came out of it," Alexander said.
___
Information from: Chicago Sun-Times, http://www.suntimes.com/index
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
41 Entries
Hyde
December 30, 2013
Mr. Sahlins seemed like a kind man. To the family and all the many friends you have my deepest sympathy for your loss. Memories are a gift from God. Please rely up on these. Our creator will give you the necessary comfort to endure your loss.
July 6, 2013
Dear Jane,
We were saddened to hear of Bernie's death. Meeting and getting to know the two of you when you were producing Second City pieces for the CBC in Toronto (in the 1960s – good grief!) was a treat. We'll miss Bernie, and send you our condolences and best wishes.
Susan and Garth Goddard
Cathleen Schandelmeier-Bartels
June 25, 2013
Bernie!? Something must have happened to the portrait at home! Oh NO! Dear, wonderfully funny sweet Bernie. Jane, you are in our prayers! May happy memories bubble up with the joy that was Bernie. Comfort, hugs, healing - Peace and love wrapped in a prayer....
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Rick Thomas
June 25, 2013
My Dad died in early 2009. Joyce Sloane passed of course and now dear Bernie. My Mom is still standing at 91. Those 4---I love them all so much. All 4---the whole roots and wings thing. Love you, Bernie. I thank God I saw you and your last 2 shows---about irony---what else--in poetry and a comic clash of the classes at the turn of the last century. What reference level! He believed in me, challenged me, introduced me to so many things and remained warm to me when he didn't know what the hell I was doing. He never just used people. He nurtured them and did all he could to position them to succeed. He accomplished a lot in his life, but its his humanity that stays with me.
Jane, I am so sorry. What a wonderful joyful man.
Dan Stone
June 23, 2013
Bernie was generous enough to share his knowledge and wisdom with some of us at UIC about ten years ago. He helped me learn a critical eye for drama in all its forms, and he helped me to speak of it confidently. He also told me my favorite joke: "How many surrealists does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Fish."
I teach high school today, and I try and take some of what Bernie shared with me to pass on to my students. He shook my hand and told me that I was then six handshakes away from Beethoven--now I shake hands with young people and try and give them kindness and guidance as Bernie did for us. Thank you, Bernie.
June 22, 2013
I knew Bernie from a different part of his life-as a tennis enthusiast. When I worked at Lincoln Park Tennis Club in the early 60's Bernie would show up looking for a game and I had the pleasure of playing with him many times. He was a pure delight.
Dave Nelson
June 22, 2013
LET THE WORDS OF GOD SOOTHE YUR HEART,"HAPPY ARE THE MILD TEMPERED ONES, SINCE THEY WILL INHERIT THE EARTH.matt.5:5 SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS...
Sandra Bogan
June 21, 2013
Jane, I am thinking of you and all the fun we had when I was at Second City, 1978-80. You & Bernie have made a difference in my life. Love, Sandra Bogan "Boom Boom"
Frank McAnulty
June 20, 2013
Thanks for creating a place for a person like "me" to have a place to play... without telling me I was making too much noise and being too disruptive and that it would be best I go stand in the hallway!
June 20, 2013
Jane,
Bernie was a special man. He touched us all with his humor, his warmth and his humility. He will be deeply missed by all of us.
The Latto Family
michelle plakas-kaiser
June 20, 2013
rip
Jeffrey Niedermaier
June 19, 2013
Bernie was a great guy and will be missed. He brought the International Theatre Festival to the Park West and we had a ball.
Dale & Jeffrey Niedermaier
June 19, 2013
Sorry for your loss. May God bless your family during this time with peace & comfort.
June 19, 2013
Jane
What a great honor and pleasure it was to know the beautiful Bernie. Much love.
Toby & Joel
Holly Wohlwend
June 19, 2013
It is hard to say how many lives you have affected with your effective selections of joy. Thank you for all the joy you have brought to us. God gave us a special person with you. Godspeed and God Bless your family. Prayers to all.
Mary Meredith
June 18, 2013
Deepest regrets for the family. He will be missed by many, especially the city of Chicago. May he RIP................
Sue Schinsing
June 18, 2013
thank you,thank you,thank you.
June 18, 2013
Bernie's death is a loss to Chicago, to all his friends, and especially to his family. Jane, please know that thoughts and prayers are with you. Andi Lamoreaux
Dianne Cleveland
June 18, 2013
Mr. Sahlins- there are not enough THANKS for all of the laughter that you unleashed upon our dull drab lives. You gave the world access to some of the funniest people and minds of our time. I have had times with Second City and your other endeavors when I was not able to breath I was laughing so heartily.
And yet, many of those skits and people and laughs came with the ability to look at our society and think about what the H*LL we were about- So Thank you even more.
RIP
and
Get The Big Guy up there to laugh abit , I am sure that HE needs it!
June 18, 2013
Dear Jane, There is a special place in heaven for those who give such joy and laughter as a legacy.
I will keep you and your family in prayer.
Gwen Zervos, Chicago, Illinois
Jim and Carole Maronek
June 18, 2013
A huge piece of theatre history belongs to Bernie and he will be remembered with gratitude and affection far into the future.
Patrica Wilson
June 18, 2013
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
June 18, 2013
With deepest sympathy to the family,
May you find comfort in God's word and in knowing that he wants to comfort the mourning ones. Mt 5:4
Tom Smith
June 18, 2013
As a family and adult I grew up laughing at Saturday Night Live jokes and skits. May the family, friends, and fans of Bernard "Bernie" Sahlins have comfort knowing that God is near those broken at heart; And those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
June 18, 2013
My sincere condolences to the family
June 18, 2013
May our father in heaven be with the family at this time, and bless you with comfort and strength.
T B
June 18, 2013
My condolences to the family and the extended artistic family. Thank you for a great place to grow and hone your talent!
Dee
June 18, 2013
Jane, you have my heartfelt sympathy. Your beloved Bernard surely introduced to us a great group of talented individuals, which we appreciate. May you and your family find relief in prayer at this sorrowful time. Psalms 65:2
Leo Benjamin U.S. Industries
June 17, 2013
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
June 17, 2013
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Marsha Lieberman
June 17, 2013
I was so sorry to hear this morning of Bernie's death. We used to walk our dogs together years ago and he was always good for a laugh. The last time I saw him was about 8 months ago and he was still laughing.
Andrew J. (Andy) Sten
June 17, 2013
Bernie indeed touched my life. He gave me a chance to work as a substitute stage manager and understudy in the touring company back in the early 70's. I offer my condolences and deepest sympathy. He was truly a great man.
June 17, 2013
With deepest sympathy to the Sahlins family during your time of grief...God is for you a refuge and strength, A help that is there to be found during difficult times...May God provide you with peace and comfort to endure the days ahead...(Psalm 62:8).
Dwayne Bickham
June 17, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
June 17, 2013
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
G. Freeman
June 17, 2013
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
jh nebel
June 17, 2013
I met Bernie around 1980 (?) at "That Steak Joint" near Second City. I was telling jokes to business co horts in the entry way and Bernie told me I looked like the younger brother of Dan A. I told him oh sure I hear that all the time... and Bernie said, No really I know Dan... you ever been to the Second City? Well I went that night, had a blast, been back many times. Thank you Bernie Sahlins for the compliment many years ago and thanks for introducing me to improv comedy.
Edward Weinberger
June 17, 2013
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
June 17, 2013
My condolences for the loss of your loved one. Matthew 5:4
Erica Zolberg
June 17, 2013
As a friend of the family, let me say how sorry I am to hear of Bernie's death. I remember meeting him when I was in high school and seeing him in recent years when we visited Chicago. It is wonderful to know that he lived a long life filled with love and laughter, and I gather he was making jokes almost until the very end. Condolences to Jane, Marshall, Barbara, Elaine, Peter and the family members I don't know as well.
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