• 'Their continuous good work for charity, rather than their many great triumphs on the stages of the world, is the true glory of this band of earthly angels known as the Friars.'

    Frank Sinatra, Friars Chairman 1975-1996

  • 'I'm proud to be a Friar, proud that we do more than tell jokes. As important as they are, they pale in comparison to the work we do for veterans... We raised a lot of money to help their cause, which is our cause.'

    Robert De Niro

  • 'I was surprised at first because I didn’t know there were two kinds of evenings. There’s one where you actually get fried, and the other where they honor you.'

    John Travolta

  • 'I've always wanted to come to one of these roasts, so to be the guest of honor has to be one of the best things that can ever happen to anybody.'

    Neil Simon

  • 'Well, that was the Friars Club [on the phone]. D'you think they're gonna let a jacket-stealer join? I don't think so! They're gonna charge me eight hundred dollars for the jacket, and I gotta deal with Pat Cooper!'

    Jerry Seinfeld

  • 'I have to say thank you, not for what you’ve done for me, but for what the Friars do for people who need it every day. And they have so much fun along the way.'

    Betty White

  • 'One of the reasons that I was so happy to be here for the Friars Roast, the whole prestige, the whole tradition—- it’s been so absolutely fantastic...'

    Quentin Tarantino

Welcome to the Monastery

The Stage Is Set

Celebrating over a century of unparalleled entertainment and fraternity

Heritage

Since 1904, The Friars has been the preeminent members-only club for entertainment professionals and beyond, committed to fostering and promoting strong social and professional bonds among its membership.
Learn the History...

Roasts

Often imitated, rarely duplicated, the Friars continue their unmatched tradition of uproarious Roasts, Celebrity Luncheons, Testimonial and Honorary Dinners, and Icon Award Shows.
Have a Laugh...

Philanthropy

Friars have a formidable dedication to charitable endeavors and the positive impact they have on the community. Laughter is a gift they are committed to giving.
Be Inspired...

Happenings From The Clubhouse

"Those are my principles, and if you don't like them... well, I have others." –Groucho Marx

Jammin’ with Tisha Fein

Jammin’ with Tisha Fein

FRIARS CLUB Q&A Tisha Fein has been a producer and talent executive of The Grammy Awards for over thirty-five years. She was the music producer for Stand Up to Cancer, talent producer for We Are The World and a producer for the Nobel Peace Prize concert. FC: You hung around some legendary comedians when you ...

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Gloria Allred Q&A

Gloria Allred Q&A

For the last forty years, Gloria Allred has advocated tirelessly for civil rights for women and beyond. She has taken on and won numerous high-profile cases that challenge the structures of power. Earlier this year, Netflix debuted a highly anticipated documentary about her life and work called, Seeing Allred. FRIARS CLUB: How did you become the ...

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Laugh Lines: With Caroline Hirsch

Laugh Lines: With Caroline Hirsch

Caroline’s On Broadway is one of the most famous, most successful comedy clubs in the world, and one of the few run by a woman, the remarkable Caroline Hirsch.  Many clubs have opened and closed in New York over the years, but Caroline’s continues to draw top talent and sell out regularly. Additionally, Hirsch produces award ...

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Become a Part of the Legacy

  • 'I am extremely honored to be receiving this very special award from an organization that I hold so close to my heart. For me, The Friars Club represents the very best of show business, from its beginnings with Oscar Hammerstein and George M. Cohan right up to the present, under the leadership of Dean Larry King and Abbot Jerry Lewis. When I enter the Monastery this September, I will truly be standing on the shoulders of Giants.'

    Martin Scorsese

  • 'The beautiful thing about the Friars club is that no matter how you feel when you get here, you're always in a better place when you leave.'

    Stan Gilbert

  • 'I dedicate this club to art, literature and good fellowship.'

    George M. Cohan

  • 'When I was growing up, the Friars Club was my father’s second home. If only my dad could see me now.'

    Barbara Walters

  • 'I love the Friars Club with all my heart. It’s the only place I can think of where friendship, charity and show business come together as one.'

    Jeffrey Ross

  • 'The fun of the Friars Club is that it’s a very intimate, very good exercise in trust to say to a group of your friends, ‘Hey, lambaste me.’'

    David Hyde Pierce

  • 'This club means a lot... It represents so many of our dear artists that aren’t with us anymore, and guys like me who love to come back here.'

    Don Rickles

  • 'When I joined the Friars I was so excited that I called about ten people and I had them page me in the dining room. They’d say, ‘Friar Richard Lewis, Friar Richard Lewis pick up the phone.’'

    Richard Lewis

  • 'Being at the Friars I felt like I was some kid who sat in the last row watching these great people... I was there as a student almost. What the Friars do is keep that child within us alive and that’s very necessary, and no one else could do this.'

    Jerry Stiller

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