Al Franken

Alan Stuart Franken was born on May 21, 1951, in New York City, New York. His early life included a move to Albert Lea, Minnesota, and then to St. Louis Park, Minnesota. He graduated from The Blake School in 1969 and then attended Harvard College, majoring in political science and graduating cum laude in 1973. During his college years, Franken cultivated his comedic talents, often writing comedy and admiring comedians who used humor to address societal issues. His journey in entertainment began with his childhood friend and writing partner, Tom Davis. Their early performances at Minneapolis’s Brave New Workshop theater, specializing in political satire, set the stage for their future careers. Although their initial attempts in Los Angeles were challenging, they eventually found their breakthrough in television.

Franken achieved widespread recognition for his nearly two decades of work on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” He joined “SNL” as one of the original writers and occasional performers from 1975 to 1980, and later returned from 1985 to 1995. During his tenure, he contributed to and performed in numerous sketches, including the popular “Daily Affirmations with Stuart Smalley.” His work earned him multiple Emmy nominations and five Emmy awards for his television writing and producing. Beyond television, Franken co-created and starred in the NBC sitcom “LateLine” and authored four best-selling books on politics, such as “Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations.” In 1995, he wrote and starred in “Stuart Saves His Family,” a film based on his “SNL” character. After leaving “SNL” in 1995, Franken shifted his focus towards political commentary and activism, hosting a radio show and writing satirical books.

In 2008, Franken entered the political arena, running for a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota as a Democrat. His campaign was marked by a close contest against incumbent Republican Norm Coleman, ultimately winning by a narrow margin after a recount and legal challenges. He served as a United States Senator from Minnesota from 2009 until his resignation in 2018. During his time in the Senate, he focused on policy issues, serving on committees such as Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the Judiciary. He advocated for various causes, including healthcare reform, consumer protection, and veterans’ affairs. After his Senate tenure, Franken has continued to engage with public discourse through his podcast, “The Al Franken Podcast,” and live shows, returning to his roots in entertainment while maintaining a sharp focus on current events.