For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close (2020)
A portrait of comedy's most influential unknown — Del Close, the anarchic genius who shaped generations of comedians while remaining a stranger to fame.
For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close - Movie Information
- Original Title: For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close
- Release Year: 2020
- Directed by: Heather Ross
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary, Drama
- Age Rating (US): R
- Runtime: 1h 30m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Production Companies: One Road Studios, Sincerely Films
- Production Countries: United States of America
For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close - Plot
Comedy guru Del Close, mentor to everyone from Bill Murray to Tina Fey, sets out to write his autobiography for D.C. Comics. As he leads us through sewers, mental wards, and his peculiar talent for making everyone famous but himself, Close emerges as a personification of the creative impulse itself. He's a muse with BO and dirty needles, offering transcendence despite (or because of) the trail of wreckage behind him.
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For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Heather Ross
Main Cast
- James Urbaniak
- Lauren Lapkus
- Josh Fadem
- Matt Walsh
- Lennon Parham
- Diona Reasonover
- Patton Oswalt
- Paul Scheer
- Michaela Watkins
- Andrew Alexander
Writers
- Heather Ross
- Adam Samuel Goldman
For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close - FAQs
What is For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close about?
The film follows Del Close, the legendary improv coach who mentored comedians like Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and John Belushi, as he attempts to write his autobiography for DC Comics. It's a wild ride through his chaotic genius — sewers, mental wards, and a career spent making everyone else famous.
Who was Del Close and why does he matter?
Del Close was one of the most influential figures in American comedy, shaping improv theater at Second City and iO Chicago. He mentored an extraordinary roster of talent — from Bill Murray and John Belushi to Tina Fey and Mike Myers — yet remained largely unknown to mainstream audiences despite his enormous impact.
Where can you stream For Madmen Only?
You can watch For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close on OVID, Kanopy, and Hoopla for free with a subscription. It's also available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV. Kanopy and Hoopla are often accessible through public library memberships.
Is there a post-credits or hidden scene in the film?
The documentary blends dramatic reenactments with real interviews in an unconventional structure, so the experience itself feels full of surprises. While there's no traditional post-credits scene, the film's layered storytelling keeps revealing new dimensions of Del Close's strange, brilliant life right through to the end.
Who are the main cast members in this documentary?
James Urbaniak plays Del Close in dramatic reenactments, with Lauren Lapkus, Josh Fadem, Matt Walsh, Lennon Parham, Patton Oswalt, Paul Scheer, Michaela Watkins, and Diona Reasonover rounding out the cast. Several appear as themselves, blending fiction and reality in the film's distinctive style.
Is For Madmen Only based on a true story?
Absolutely — Del Close was a real person, and the film draws directly from his life and unfinished autobiography project with DC Comics. While dramatic reenactments take creative liberties, the core story of his turbulent genius, his mentorship legacy, and his self-destructive tendencies is grounded in fact.
How was For Madmen Only received by critics?
Critics praised the film for its inventive approach to documentary storytelling, blending reenactments, animation, and interviews to capture Del Close's anarchic spirit. Reviewers highlighted its affectionate yet unflinching portrait of a complicated creative genius who shaped modern comedy from the shadows.
Who directed For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close?
Heather Ross directed the film, also co-writing the screenplay alongside Adam Samuel Goldman. Ross crafted an unconventional documentary structure that mirrors Del Close's own restless, genre-defying sensibility — mixing dramatic scenes, talking-head interviews, and animated sequences into a singular portrait of an outsider legend.
More About For Madmen Only: The Stories of Del Close
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