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Sammy Shore, founder of The Comedy Store and father of Pauly Shore, has died

Courtesy of Pauly Shore

The legendary comedian and actor passed away on Saturday from natural causes

Sammy Shore, father of Pauly Shore and co-founder of the world famous Comedy Store in Los Angeles, passed away on Saturday (May 18) of natural causes. He was 92.

News of the comedy legend’s passing came shortly after 1 p.m. via Pauly, who took the time to not only share the sad news, but also to pay tribute to his father, and the impact he had on his career.

“When I first decided to do stand up comedy, it was my dad that took me to my first gig. It was at a restaurant called The Alley Cat Bistro in Marina Del Rey on Sept 25, 1985,” Shore writes in a Facebook post. “Once I hit it big in the 1990s, I took my dad on tour with me all over America doing shows. We toured together for more than 20 years. It was labeled ‘A Family Affair Tour.’”

Shore went on to recollect what it was like having his father, who at one time had opened for Elvis Presley and Sammy Davis Jr., billed as his opening act on those comedy tours, and the joy he felt being able to share the stage and act “like silly kids” with his father all across the country.

“The crowds were very endeared to see a true father and son comedy team on stage, something that’s never happened before,” writes Shore. “Those 20 years were some of the best times my dad and I ever had in our lives. I’m so happy I was able to experience them with him.”

While his son reached thousands with his tribute, many other comedians who have been affected by Shore’s comedy and generosity, in terms of helping to launch the careers of so many legendary names, took to Twitter and Facebook to share their condolences and love for the Shore family, and for Sammy’s love of comedy.

“It’s a sad day with the passing of the comic legend Sammy Shore,” Dave Attell tweeted on Sunday afternoon.  “My heart goes out to Pauly and his family.”

Dane Cook, Marc Maron, and Judd Apatow also took to the Twittersphere to express their condolences, while the marquee outside The Comedy Store held praise and adoration for its founding father.

“Our founder, our father, our beloved brother Sam” lit up the marquee above the entrance to the club’s “Main Room,” while the sign above the entrance to the “Original Room” — which, as the name suggests, was the original single stage in the club when Shore founded it in 1972 — was graced with a touching farewell of its own.

“Good night, Sammy Shore. We will love and miss you forever.”