National Lampoon

The launching pad for comedians from John Belushi and Chevy Chase to Bill Murray and Richard Belzer, the National Lampoon performing troupe emerged from the pages of the National Lampoon magazine in 1972. The publication itself debuted in April 1970 under the auspices of writers Michael O'Donoghue and Tony Hendra as an extension of the collegiate humor magazine The Harvard Lampoon; famed for its caustic wit and razor-sharp satiric edge, it quickly became a major force in American comedy, setting the stage for its editorial staff to break out into the performing arena. In addi...