“The life of an entertainment professional is very similar to any worker or independent contractor that moves from job to job to make their living. Work is erratic, security is fleeting and health insurance is often just a dream.” So says the website of the Actors Fund of America.

In a phone conversation last month with Budd Friedman (on an entirely different matter), we learned that the Actors Fund is going to do for comedians what they’ve heretofore done for other entertainment professionals.

It “helps entertainment and performing arts professionals in theater, film, music, opera, television and dance through a broad spectrum of social, health, employment, and housing programs that address their essential and critical needs.”

By now, many of our readers have already gotten an email second- or third-hand– a plea from the Buddmeister himself– announcing a meeting tomorrow in New York City. We’d attend if we weren’t on the road.

The Actors Fund for Comedians is being formed for the express purpose of bringing to the comedy community the same type of protection and help that actors, directors, writers, etc. all enjoy. If you are a comedian and are not also a member of a protecting union than you are left out in the cold!

But now The Actors Fund of America is setting up a division to bring all these benefits to the professional stand-up comedian. We are planning an informative meeting with potential members in New York City at CAROLINES on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25th @ 3PM.

The Director of the Actors Fund will be in attendance to answer all your questions.

We want to get your input as to how the organization should run, so please make sure you attend and please tell all your clients and stand-up friends about the meeting.

Our West Coast ad hoc committee is Buddy Morra, Ross Schaeffer and Howard Storm along with me. We are looking to form an East coast committee.

We called the public relations firm handling the meetings and learned that whatever is set up, no one will be asked to join a union. And there won’t be any dues. As it was explained to us, certain criteria (similar to criteria used by existing organizations that assist actors or singers) will be established. When those criteria are met (and, we assume, somehow verified), the comedian will be able to avail himself of the services of the Fund– help with medical bills, assistance with housing, etc.

One of the ways that the Actors Fund pays for services is through charitable contributions from corporations and foundations and through individual contributions and fundraising galas. They plan on coordinating a big event in 2008– On a pre-determined date next year, they’ll ask all the comedy clubs in America to kick in their door receipts to the fund and ask comics to perform for free. We’ll keep you posted on the details on that when they become available.