Godfather of Denver comedy dies

by Brian McKim & Traci Skene on March 7th, 2009

George McKelvey died of a stroke in Hemet, CA, reports the Denver Post.

After moving to Denver, McKelvey helped found Comedy Works, George McKelvey’s Comedy Club in Aurora and Wit’s End, all safe havens for a string of national acts, including Jerry Seinfeld, Ellen De Generes and Roseanne Barr.

“He was a big part of our history,” said Comedy Works owner Wende Curtis. “Before him there really wasn’t a comedy scene in Denver.”

(Thanks to Chris Fonseca for the tip.)