Man drives 840 miles for Chicago class

CHICAGO, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- An Oklahoma man said he commutes 1,680 miles a week to take an improv comedy class at the famous Chicago school that trained his hero.

Thomas Crane, 24, of Blanchard, Okla., said he drives 840 miles each Thursday to attend a Friday class at iO Chicago and leaves immediately after class for the 840 mile drive home -- a commute he said takes about 15 hours in each direction, the Chicago Tribune reported Monday.

Crane said he decided to take a class at iO after learning from a TV special that his favorite comedian, Chris Farley, trained at the school.

"After high school I started thinking of being an actor. But my grandmother, she didn't believe in that. I wanted to prove her wrong. I hate that she died before she could see me achieve anything. I was disappointed. Because you want family to succeed with you," Crane said.

He said he spends about $150 on gas each week and shells out more cash for hotel rooms.

"I really am a sane person," he said. "Still, this is not the most intelligent thing you could probably do. You

think 'Oh, I can slam 1,700 miles a week!' Then on the drive back, you start talking to yourself, and maybe, you know, you even start making videotapes of yourself talking to yourself, because you have got to do something and talk to someone, you know?"