Chicago

Toronto

  • Shows
  • Classes
  • Kids & Teens
  • Improve Your Business
Chicago

Chicago

Toronto

Shows & Tickets

  • Show Finder
  • Plan an Event
  • Gift Cards
  • Merch

Chicago Venue Info

  • FAQs
  • 1959 Kitchen & Bar
  • Chicago Theatre Details
  • Accessibility

Classes & Education

  • Overview
  • Adult Classes
  • Kids & Teen Classes
  • Second City Film School
  • Comedy Studies
  • Scholarships
  • Student Handbook

Second City Works

  • Meeting + Events
  • Content + Campaigns
  • Professional Development

Second City Network

  • The Latest
  • SCTV

Our Legacy

  • History
  • Featured Faces
  • Alumni
  • Board of Directors
  • Staff
  • Diversity & Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Auditions
  • Media Center

Chicago Box Office

312-337-3992

Email Us

Drop Us A Note

Live Chat

Start A Conversation

Gift Cards

The Perfect Present

Featured Faces Timeline

Quick Facts

A living legend in the art of longform improvisation

One-half of the revered “TJ & Dave”

Appears as a “Sonic Guy” in the improvised commercials

T.J. Jagodowski

Though the vast majority of the public may know TJ Jagodowski from the improvised Sonic commercials alongside Peter Grosz, he has a long history with comedy in Chicago. He’s been called “the best improviser in Chicago” by the Chicago Improv Festival and performs around the city non-stop. In the Chicago improv circuit, he is most notably known for his weekly “TJ and Dave” show alongside fellow Second City alum David Pasquesi.


With a double major in English and TV/radio/film from Syracuse University, Jagodowski moved to Chicago in 1992, looking to break into the producing world. After seeing the 77th Mainstage revue Take Me Out to the Balkans (which starred Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, and Amy Sedaris), he enrolled in an improv class at The Second City. Spending the next couple of years immersed in the improv world, Jagodowski eventually joined the Second City Touring Company in 1997.


In 1998, Jagodowski joined the Mainstage cast for the revue The Psychopath Not Taken. His cast members included Kevin Dorff, Stephnie Weir, and Tami Sagher, all prominent Chicago improvisers. Preferring improvisational comedy to sketch comedy, he focused on this until 2001, where he joined the e.t.c. stage for Holy War, Batman! Or The Yellow Cab of Courage. Where Jagodowski performed alongside Jack McBrayer and Keegan Michael-Key.


The roles he has had in films and TV shows tend to be improvised, such as his supporting role in Stranger Than Fiction. Films Jagodowski has been a part of include Soul Survivors, The Ice Harvest, Close Quarters, Oz the Great and Powerful, and Get Hard. He also made appearances in the television shows Prison Break, Chicago Fire, and Easy. However, he prefers to focus on perfecting the art of improvisation to any scripted work. Jagodowski, with his comedic talent, continues to inspire and influence young Chicago improvisers every week.

CREDITS
1998-1999: The Psychopath Not Taken, Mainstage Theater
2001-2002: Holy War, Batman! Or The Yellow Cab of Courage, e.t.c. Theater

Chicago Box Office

312-337-3992

Email Us

Drop Us A Note

Live Chat

Start A Conversation

Gift Cards

The Perfect Present

Newsletter

Shows & Events

Become a Second Citizen and get the inside scoop on new shows, alumni news, ticket deals, exclusive offers and lots more.

Subscribe
Newsletter

Classes & Training

"Yes, and" to get first dibs on new classes and special student offers.

Subscribe

  • Theatre Location Details
  • Accessibility
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • Media Center
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • © 2023 The Second City, Inc. All Rights Reserved