THE
HARVEY LEMBECK
COMEDY WORKSHOP

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR TEACHERS


HELAINE LEMBECK

Helaine began her career as one of the stars of Welcome Back Kotter where she played opposite John Travolta for three years as Judy Borden, the whiny brainy girl the Sweathogs loved to hate. This was followed by a starring role on the hit ABC TV series The Kroft Supershow. The next several years were filled with a multitude of guest appearances on primetime shows including Suddenly Susan, Everybody Loves Raymond, and The Garry Shandling Anniversary Special. She has also starred in numerous television pilots and movies of the week.

Along with her acting career and her duties at the Workshop, Helaine also offers her expertise in the form of private coaching. Many of today’s stars have benefited from her knowledge of comedy in a private setting for their upcoming auditions or a role they’ve already landed.

MICHAEL LEMBECK

Michael is a television veteran. In the past 10 seasons, he has directed over 300 episodes of television including multiple episodes of Mad About You, Friends, Two Guys, A Girl and a Pizza Place, Jesse, Veronica’s Closet, Caroline In the City, Ellen, and Everybody Loves Raymond. In 1996,

Michael received an

Emmy for Best Direction of a Comedy Series
 for his Friends episode "The One After the Superbowl."

Michael began his career as an actor. His theatre credits include the ‘72/’73 New York company of Grease, also starring Jerry Zaks, Marilu Henner and John Travolta; and the off-Broadway musical Angry Housewives at the Minetta Lane Theatre. Michael also played Max on the long-running TV series One Day At A Time, and Clete Meizenheimer, the TV newscaster on the late night Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. Among his favorite movie experiences: The In-Laws in which he played Peter Falk’s son and HBO Ace Award-winning movie Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8, in which he played Abbie Hoffman.

CAL GIBSON

Cal is also a television veteran. Working primarily as a character actor, Cal has guest starred on many of television’s most popular shows including: Suddenly Susan, Fresh Prince of BelAir, Sister Sister, Family Matters, L.A. Law, and Murphy Brown. Cal was a series regular on Park Place and has a recurring role on DiResta. Cal has also guest starred on classic programs like Hill Street Blues, Barney Miller, and Sanford and Son. Cal’s feature film credits include Scrooged with Bill Murray, Someone to Watch Over Me with Tom Berrenger and Best Men starring Drew Barrymore.

Cal has also been a successful stand-up comedian and toured the country for over 15 years including spending time on the road with country music legend Waylon Jennings as his opening act. In addition, Cal is the founder of Mixxed Nutts, an improv troupe which has played many of Los Angeles’ comedy clubs.

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