I learned through The Second City today that one of my improv teachers from Chicago, Jim Zulevic, died suddenly of a heart attack (he was only 40). I had him as my teacher for a majority of improv classes at both Columbia College & The Second City Training Center while he also performed nightly in the now-infamous Mainstage production of "Paradigm Lost" with the likes of Kevin Dorff, Rachel Dratch, Tina Fey, Jenna Jolovitz, Scott Adsit, etc. Outside of the late Martin de Maat, Jim probably had the most influence on me in the comedy profession. He was always looking out for me as a struggling college student and even gave me a few bit lines as a host from the audience during previews one night - what a thrill.
One of the funniest scenes I ever saw him come up with never even made it into the final show. It was during an improv set with Jenna - the 2 of them were sitting on chairs on a Disney ride. Jim goes on and on for a few minutes describing in a wry, boring voice about developing this important ride for Disney and on and on and on. Finally, Jenna turns to him and yells, "Nobody cares, Jim!" I doubled-over in laughter.
Jim will be missed. Here's the Chicago Tribune article, and a reference to Jim I made last summer on this blog.
The Second City's 83rd Revue - "Promise Keepers, Losers Weepers Jim Zulevic and Kevin Dorff Photo Credit: Michael Brosilow
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