Al Franken

Al Franken (born May 21, 1951) is an American comedian, writer, producer, political commentator, actor, and author. He is best known for his satirical comedy work on Saturday Night Live (SNL) and his political career as a United States Senator from Minnesota.

Born in New York City, Franken began his career as a writer and occasional performer on The First Amendment, a late night comedy show on NBC. After relocating to Los Angeles, he wrote for the television sitcoms "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" and "Saturday Night Live" (SNL). He was a regular performer on SNL from 1975 to 1980, playing a variety of characters, most notably self-help guru Stuart Smalley.

Franken's political career began in 1988 when he unsuccessfully ran for the United States Senate seat in Minnesota. In 2008, he was elected to the Senate, becoming the first comedian elected to national office in the United States. He served as the junior United States Senator from Minnesota from 2009 to 2018.

During his time in the Senate, Franken was a vocal advocate for a range of progressive causes, including healthcare reform, civil rights, education, LGBT rights, and the environment. He also took a strong stance against corporate influence in politics. He is the author of several books, including "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right" and "Al Franken, Giant of the Senate".

Franken announced his resignation from the Senate in December 2017, following allegations of sexual misconduct. He returned to comedy in 2019 with a SiriusXM radio show, "The Al Franken Show", where he interviews guests and offers his own political commentary.

In addition to his comedy and political work, Franken is an active philanthropist. He has served on the board of directors for the American Civil Liberties Union and the Minnesota chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. He has also contributed to numerous charities, including the Minnesota Food Bank, the Children's Defense Fund, and the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

In 2021, Franken returned to SNL, making a guest appearance in a sketch about the 2020 presidential election. He continues to remain active in the worlds of comedy and politics, and his work has been recognized with numerous awards, including three Emmy awards and a Grammy.