Trivia

Willed his skull to the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, USA, so he could play Yorick in Hamlet, or for any other theatrical use. The skull was handed over on July 1, 1999. However in July 2006, the Chicago Tribune published a story questioning the authenticity of the skull. In October 2006, it was revealed that Del's skull had been cremated with the rest of his body and the skull at the Goodman Theatre was a fake.

His second cousin was General of the Army/President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

One of the people, along with Mike Nichols, Elaine May, and Severn Darden, most responsible for giving popularity and legitimacy to improvisational comedy.

Co-founded, with Charna Halpern, the ImprovOlympic (now known simply as the i.O.) in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Was the Voice of Baron Barracuda in The Diver Dan Shows of the '60s.

Alumni of Del Close and the ImprovOlympic include Mike Myers, Chris Farley, Mitch Rouse, Andy Dick, Andy Richter, Tim Meadows, David Koechner and Paul Vato.

Co-authored with John Ostrander a comic book for DC Comics entitled Wasteland. It ran for 18 issues from 1988 to 1989 and included several pseudo-autobiographical stories by Close.

He's the only actor to appear in two "Blob" movies: he's in both Attention au blob ! (1972) and the 1988 Le Blob (1988) remake.

Each of the members of the Upright Citizens Brigade (Ian Roberts, Amy Poehler, Matt Walsh, Matt Besser) say he was the major inspiration to their comedy.

A graduate of Manhattan (KS) High School in 1952, he and classmate, Inger Stevens, were inducted into the MHS Hall of Fame in January 2007.

Del Close appeared as a book publisher in the comic book "Marvels" (starting in issue #2, page 6) published in late 1993/early 1994. Close and illustrator Alex Ross shared a mutual acquaintance, and Close became the only actual actor to pose for Ross, a fan-favorite, award-winning painter.

He was awarded the 1981 Joseph Jefferson Award for Director of a Revue for "Miro, Miro on the Wall", at the Second City Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.

He was nominated for a 1984 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for "The Time of Your Life", at the Goodman Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.

He was nominated for a 1975 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Director of a Musical for "For A Good Time, Dial", at the Second City Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.

He and Bernard Sahlins were nominated for a 1975 Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Director of a Musical for "Once More With Feeling", at the Second City Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.

He was awarded the 1985 Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Supporting Role in a Play for "Hamlet", at the Wisdom Bridge Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.

Had once said that the purpose in creating the Harold was to create the first Biological Computer.

Biography in: "Who's Who in Comedy" by Ronald L. Smith. Pg. 109. New York: Facts on File, 1992. ISBN 0816023387