Michael Lehrer
Also known as Mike Lehrer
Who Michael Lehrer is
Michael Lehrer was a stand-up, sketch and improv comedian who grew up in Queens, New York, and Casper, Wyoming, and made his name in Chicago. A Columbia College graduate, he helped create four original sketch revues for The Second City, among them the Jeff Award-winning Sky's the Limit (Weather Permitting) at the Second City e.t.c., and performed with its touring company, at its Las Vegas outpost and at sea; he also appeared at iO and ComedySportz, co-hosted BTN's Big Ten Tailgate and was chosen as a New Face of Comedy at Just for Laughs in Montreal in 2014. After he was diagnosed with ALS in 2017 he kept performing stand-up from a wheelchair, joking about life with the disease, and became a regular on the live podcast Kill Tony, performing on it 99 times between 2019 and 2022. He died in Portland, Oregon, in January 2023, at 44.
At a glance
- Died
- 2023
- Came up through
- Kill Tony, Just for Laughs New Faces and The Second City
- Podcasts
- Kill Tony
- On screen
- Big Ten Tailgate and Sports Action Team
Specials, shows and podcasts
On screen
- Big Ten Tailgate co-host, BTN
- Sports Action Team syndicated improvised comedy
Podcasts
- Kill Tony regular; 99 appearances, 2019–2022; podcast
Where they got their start
- Kill Tony a regular, 99 times, 2019–2022
- Just for Laughs New Faces New Face, 2014
- The Second City helped create four of its original revues; its touring company
Came up the same way
Other comedians in SUCDb who came through Kill Tony, Just for Laughs New Faces and The Second City:
Comedians like Michael Lehrer
Each linked to them by something on the record — a stage they both came through, a bill, a show, a style or a home town.
- Ahren Belisle also came through Kill Tony
- Ari Matti also came through Kill Tony
- Casey Rocket also came through Kill Tony
- David Jolly also came through Kill Tony
- David Lucas also came through Kill Tony
- Dedrick Flynn also came through Kill Tony
- Fiona Cauley also came through Kill Tony
- Hans Kim also came through Kill Tony
Questions about Michael Lehrer
What podcast does Michael Lehrer host?
Kill Tony.
What TV shows and films are they in?
Big Ten Tailgate and Sports Action Team.
Where did they get their start?
Kill Tony (a regular, 99 times), Just for Laughs New Faces (New Face) and The Second City (helped create four of its original revues; its touring company).
Who are some comedians like them?
Ahren Belisle (also came through Kill Tony), Ari Matti (also came through Kill Tony), Casey Rocket (also came through Kill Tony), David Jolly (also came through Kill Tony) and David Lucas (also came through Kill Tony).
The full SUCDb record
The full record — the career in order, the specials and credits, and the sources for each — is on SUCDb, with their place on the Legends ballots.
Sources
- Chicago Sun-Times — Former Second City actor-writer Michael Lehrer, who had ALS, dies at 44 ↗ 18 January 2023: died in Portland, Oregon, at 44; kept performing comic monologues about life with ALS from a wheelchair; a regular on Kill Tony, performing…
- Deadline — Michael Lehrer Dies: Second City Alum Was 44 ↗ A sketch, improv and stand-up performer; kept performing after his 2017 ALS diagnosis, in Austin clubs and on Kill Tony; a 2014 Just for Laughs New Face;…
- K2 Radio — Dying with Dignity: NCHS Grad, Chicago Standup Standout Michael Lehrer Passes Away ↗ 19 January 2023: a stand-up comedian, actor and improviser made in Chicago; moved to Casper from Queens and graduated from Natrona County High School;…
- The Second City — Michael Lehrer ↗ Alumni page: a 2014 Just for Laughs Montreal New Face of Comedy; helped create four original sketch revues for The Second City; co-host of BTN's Big Ten…
Updated 5 October 2026 · the record checked 29 September 2026