Caroline Hirsch is a pioneering entrepreneur, producer, and one of the most influential figures in comedy. She is the founder and producer of the annual New York Comedy Festival, launched in 2004, which has grown into the largest and most prestigious comedy festival in the United States. For four decades, she was also the founder and owner of Carolines on Broadway, the legendary New York comedy club that helped shape the careers of generations of comedians and became an iconic destination for live entertainment.
Hirsch began her career in the early 1980s, opening a small Manhattan cabaret that quickly evolved into one of the nation’s premier comedy venues. Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in discovering and championing talent, helping launch the careers of comedians including Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Jay Leno, Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Kevin Hart, Jon Stewart, Sarah Silverman, Tracy Morgan, and many others.
She created and executive produced the award-winning television series Carolines Comedy Hour, which aired 120 episodes and earned a CableACE Award for Best Stand-Up Comedy Series. Through her production company, she has also produced acclaimed live events, specials, documentaries, and feature films.
In 2006, Hirsch co-founded Stand Up for Heroes with the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The annual benefit has raised more than $113 million to support wounded veterans, service members, and their families, while featuring performances from some of comedy’s biggest stars.
Recognized as a trailblazer in entertainment and philanthropy, Hirsch has received numerous honors throughout her career, including being named a Comedy Legend & Groundbreaker by Variety and having August 16, 2022 officially proclaimed “Caroline Hirsch Day” in New York City.
Today, Hirsch continues to expand the New York Comedy Festival, produce film and television projects, and champion the next generation of comedic talent.
