It is a contract many comedians would die for: guaranteed work for the rest of your life.

American stand-up Jon Lovitz has signed a deal assuring him work at the Los Angeles Laugh Factory every Wednesday night till he dies.

Club owner Jamie Masada said: ‘If he's in New York to do a movie or something, he can appear at the Laugh Factory there. But he's committed to every Wednesday night.

‘His contract is very lucrative. If he lives to be 100 years old, I'll owe him part of the club

As part of the deal, the 49-year-old comic will also write a blog giving advice to up-and-coming comedians.

The club gained notoriety last year, when Seinfeld star Michael Richards launched a racist tirade at customers.