John Ward, one of Improv Everywhere's most senior agents passed away this weekend. He was incredibly friendly, warm and funny.
(I secretly believed he was Santa Claus)
He started taking improv classes in his 50's and participated in almost all of our events for the past 6 years. Matty put together this video of John with funny clips from some of the Improv Everywhere events that he participated in. I can guarantee that he'll make you smile!
John is proof that you're never too old to try something new. I hope he inspires you just as much as he's inspired me!
Sad :(
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry to hear that. :(
ReplyDeleteHe was so great in all the improv videos. I will miss seeing him.
oooo... im sorry Katie :( I hope he was happy and made others happy as well...
ReplyDeletewhat a beautiful, inspirational being. i could feel his warmth through the screen.
ReplyDeletethank you, matty, for creating this video. now so many more will be touched by his spirit.=)
My condolences... :(
ReplyDeleteHe looks like a really great guy, and I believe he will be much missed.
RIP
i'm so sorry for your loss. i remember seeing him in the Improv Everywhere videos, i am more than sure he'll be missed very much.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. What an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteIm a new follower and i saw him in most of your videos. He looks like he brought a lot of laughs to your lives! Thank you guys for celebrating his life with this video. Much love to you both and your Improv family!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know him and never noticed him before today. Yet the video made me cry. I wish I knew him in person.
ReplyDeletesad. i'm glad he lived fully till his death
ReplyDeleteHow sad. He was one of the faces I would recognize every time he popped up in an improv everywhere video. The way he was nodding while holding up the "a high five!" sign was so classic. Had me laughing for sure.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very sobering post, because John Ward was the nameless fellow who always stood out in the improv videos for me! He was always so jolly (I believe you Katie, he must be Santa Claus!) and always brought a smile and a laugh. I have to admit, I love how he started improv so late and was so well regarded for it, too. But somehow you made this post inspiring and upbeat at the same time, just like the proper improv spirit. John Ward, I now know your name, and I hope that you're having a grand old time up there. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing story and what a great example of a life well spent. I can tell he will be missed.
ReplyDeleteA few years ago I started following the improv group and the time he pretending to be an author doing a book signing was always one of my favorite.
I am sorry for your and your friend's loss.
Aww.. How sweet! You can just tell when someone is a truly nice and a funny person. Just watching this video makes me want to have known him!
ReplyDeleteSad to hear this. It's wonderful that in the age of videos and Internet, he will touch many more lives still. I didn't know him till I read this, and find this inspiring. RIP.
ReplyDeleteLaura
:( we've lost a beautiful person...
ReplyDeleteGod bless him :) Seems like he was such a sweet man!
ReplyDeleteRIP
ReplyDeleteHe seems so sweet, and what a great person to be inspired by. xxx
ReplyDeletewhat a fabulous guy! it sounds like he went out with both barrels blasting -- a high five to him! what's amazing is when someone like john touches so many lives, it can feel like he's still around -- cliche but true -- channeling his mirth thru others so to speak...
ReplyDeletep.s. i'm in my 50's and have been wanting to try improv for a while now...
im sorry Katie :( but you ever be happy because you have a new angel!!! you lose a friend and you won a angel!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know, I don't trust this death thing- he will be back when you least expect it popping around the corner in the subway or or passing you through the turnstile...look for him- it will be a brief and surprising event.
ReplyDeletewhat a sweet man. i just loved hearing him speak in that clip. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm very very sorry o hear that....condolences from myself and all my familly.
ReplyDeletethe world needs more people like john. i'm going to try and remember give a little something away everyday - that's what he's inspired me to do. a laugh, a candy cane, a high five. rest in peace, john.
ReplyDeleteSo, so sorry you had to lose a friend. But it looks like you were pretty lucky to have known him.
ReplyDeleteHe's seemed like such a sweet guy. I wish I had had the opportunity to meet him although it nice to see that he obviously touched many hearts. The video was a lovely gesture and inspiring. Im sorry for your loss, Im sure he will be dearly missed.
ReplyDeleteSo sad! I loved him on the "High Five" escalator
ReplyDeleteHe was one of the only people I ever recognized in Improv Everywhere videos, and judging by the video looks to have brought smiles to many, many faces. Rest in peace John.
ReplyDeleteOh. I always looked out for his face in the Improv Everywhere videos - he always seemed like such a happy guy. I will miss his face. Goodbye John.
ReplyDeleteI was really hoping this was an April's Fool until I saw when it was posted. Like many others, I really loved seeing him in all the videos and will miss his involvement. RIP
ReplyDeleteLovely guy, lovely video, lovely photo at the end. Keep going on in his spirit!
ReplyDeleteterrible, he has such great spirit, and im glad he was an amaizng influence the way he was
ReplyDeletex
Aww :( RIP John! *hearts*
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to a lovely man.
ReplyDelete:( I'll miss seein him in the videos, thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences, he DOES seem like an amazing man... I'm so so sorry.
ReplyDeleteThats a lovely tribute. RIP
This is sad, but I'm glad you're finally posting some non-super-saccharine shit.
ReplyDeleteGood for you.
Aw, sad news. I enjoyed watching him in the mission videos. Thank you for sharing the tribute.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift to have been blessed with him in your lives
ReplyDeleteHow sad and inspiring at the same time. Seems like the world has lost an happy and interesting man.
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ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this clip with us all, it made my day... I've seen him in your improv clips before and while I'm sad to hear the news, I'm also happy because through you guys John made me smile once last time.
ReplyDeleteRest in Peace John
Like someone once said, "Don't cry because I'm gone, but smile because I've lived well."
ReplyDeleteImprov Everywhere videos always touched my heart. From that video, John looked like a man teeming with warmth. (:
RIP John