Raised in Manhattan, Kansas

Published science fiction magazine (CATACLYSM) with friend

First show business job, throwing spaghetti "worms" at moviegoers during late-night horror shows

Toured the US with various theatrical companies in the 1950s

Appeared with the Compass Players, alongside Mike Nichols and Elaine May, among others

Arrived in New York to do stand-up comedy; began using heroin

Acted in the Off-Broadway musical "The Nervous Set"

Arrested for possession of marijuana

Co-founded Second City in Chicago; fired in 1965 over his substance abuse and emotional problems

Co-founded The Committee in San Francisco

Acted in TV sitcoms like "Get Smart"

Founded theater company in Austin, Texas

Returned to Chicago

Directed Second City revues, nuturing talent like John Belushi, Harold Ramis and others

Appeared in small role in "American Graffiti"

Played The Ghost of Christmas Past in annual "Christmas Carol" production at the Goodman Theater, Chicago

Hired by producer Jean Doumanian to run improv sessions at "Saturday Night Live"

Kicked own substance abuse problems after drug-related death of friend and protege Belushi

Again fired from Second City; developed comedy workshops at CrossCurrents and later ImprovOlympic

TV-movie debut, "First Step"

Played Polonius to Aidan Quinn's "Hamlet", directed by Robert Falls

Once again returned to Second City to stage "The Gods Must Be Lazy"