brassmonkey

stand up live put him out of biz

R.I.P.

The owner of the Tempe Improv who was missing for more than three weeks was found dead Wednesday morning in a hotel room in Buckeye, police said.

Mark Anderson, 60, was reported missing by his wife on May 15, according to an Oklahoma City police report.

The family has homes in Oklahoma, Arizona and California, said Thomas Martin, a private investigator based in Newport Beach, Calif., hired by the family to find Anderson.

The cause of death is still unknown, said Lt. Jared Griffith, a Buckeye police spokesman. An autopsy is planned for Friday, he said.

Housekeepers at Days Inn, near Interstate 10 and Miller Road, entered his room and found Anderson dead, Griffith said. It was unclear how long Anderson had been at the hotel.

Opened in 1988, the Tempe Improv brought comedy to the Valley, featuring headliners such as Jerry Seinfeld, David Spade and George Lopez.

In addition to his work with aspiring comedians, Anderson reached out to others looking to get into the business.

"He would sit me with me and tell me that we weren't selling a product, we were selling the experience of fun," said Debbie Keller, a Tempe publicist who represents comedians such as Pablo Francisco and Jeff Dunham. "That is what motivated me to do what I do today."

Keller credits her start to Anderson's guidance while she worked at the comedy club from 1990 until 1993.

Days before his disappearance, Anderson announced that the Tempe Improv would be closing. He put out a press release directly attacking Stand Up Live owner Joel Bachkoff and his former booking agent Robert Hartmann.

Stand Up Live opened in Phoenix in April 2011. Anderson lost some of his top comics, including D.L. Hughley and Kevin Pollak.

In an earlier interview with The Republic, Anderson said, "I want people to get their side of the story and see why they felt the Improv had to be put to death."

The Tempe Improv closed its doors June 1.

When Anderson disappeared, information surfaced regarding his financial situation.

On May 12, Anderson told his family he was leaving to seek financial advice in Dallas and would not be bringing a cellphone for fear someone was tracking him, according to Oklahoma City police.

Authorities said Anderson was reportedly having issues with his business partners and believed prior discussions could lead to him losing the club or criminal prosecutions, according to a police report.

However, Martin said one of Anderson's business partners was assisting on the case.

His passion for comedy was always evident, according to friends and colleagues.

"He breathed life into every one of his clubs," Keller said.

Robby Wagner, who headlined at the Tempe Improv on April 5, said Anderson was not only a great friend and mentor but he brought a lot of talent to the business.

"Mark has definitely taught me to not fear putting myself out there, and now his death reminds me that life is too short," Wagner said in a Facebook post. "Be the best you can be and be good to other people."

Republic reporter Randy Cordova contributed to this article.

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