9. Membership is Becoming More Inclusive
The Friars Club is adapting to a broader definition of the word “entertainer.” When the club was first started by press agents, many of its early members were composers like Irving Berlin and George M. Cohan. Over the years the membership pool became more diverse and comedians became synonymous with the club.
In more recent years, the club has even welcomed members outside the entertainment industry. Today, the clubhouse is opening its doors to more non-traditional entertainers like food personalities, reality stars, and influencers on YouTube and Instagram.
