Bernard `` Bernie '' Sahlins ( ; August 20 , 1922 -- June 16 , 2013 ) was an American writer , director and comedian best known as a founder of The Second City improvisational comedy troupe with Paul Sills and Howard Alk in 1959 .
Bernard `` Bernie '' Sahlins ( 1922 -- June 16 , 2013 ) was an American writer , television and theatre director , and comedian . He was best known as a founder of The Second City improvisational comedy troupe with Paul Sills and Howard Alk in 1959 .