Al Franken

Al Franken. He is an American comedian, writer, actor, and former politician who served as a United States Senator from Minnesota from 2009 to 2018. A member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, he first gained national fame as a writer and performer on the iconic television show Saturday Night Live. His Senate tenure was marked by advocacy for consumer protection and ended with his resignation following allegations of sexual misconduct.

Early life and education

He was born in New York City and raised in the suburb of St. Louis Park, a community within the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. His father, Joseph Franken, was a printing salesman, and his mother, Phoebe Franken, was a real estate agent. He attended Blake School in Hopkins before enrolling at Harvard University, where he graduated cum laude with a degree in government in 1973. During his time at Harvard University, he was a member of the Harvard Lampoon, a noted humor publication that has launched the careers of many comedians and writers.

Early career in comedy and writing

After graduating, he began a prolific comedy writing partnership with fellow Harvard Lampoon alumnus Tom Davis. The duo joined the original writing staff of Saturday Night Live in 1975, contributing to the show's early success under producer Lorne Michaels. He frequently appeared in sketches, creating memorable characters and co-writing popular segments. Beyond Saturday Night Live, he authored several best-selling political satire books, including Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations and Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right. He also hosted a nationally syndicated Air America talk show, The Al Franken Show, from 2004 to 2007.

United States Senate career

In 2008, he declared his candidacy for the United States Senate seat from Minnesota being vacated by Republican Norm Coleman. The election resulted in an extraordinarily close recount that lasted over eight months, with the Minnesota Supreme Court ultimately ruling in his favor. He was sworn into office in July 2009 by Vice President Joe Biden. In the Senate, he served on the Judiciary Committee, the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and the Indian Affairs Committee. He was a principal author of the Dodd-Frank Act's provision establishing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and was a vocal advocate for net neutrality, LGBT rights, and veterans' issues. In late 2017, multiple women accused him of inappropriate touching, leading to an ethics investigation and calls for his resignation from colleagues, including Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. He announced his resignation in December 2017 and left office in January 2018.

Post-Senate career and activism

Following his departure from the Senate, he returned to media and public speaking. He launched a podcast titled The Al Franken Podcast and embarked on a nationwide comedy tour. He has remained active in political commentary and progressive activism, frequently criticizing the administration of Donald Trump and supporting Democratic candidates. In 2023, he published a memoir, Al Franken, Giant of the Senate, which detailed his political career and the circumstances of his resignation. He has also been involved with organizations promoting Democratic voter engagement and has taught a course on the intersection of comedy and politics.

Personal life

He married his wife, Franni Bryson, in 1975 after meeting her during his sophomore year at Harvard University. The couple has two adult children, Thomasin and Joe. He has been open about his wife's past struggles with alcoholism and her subsequent recovery. A longtime resident of Minneapolis, he is an avid fan of the Minnesota Twins baseball team. He has also been involved with various charitable causes, including those supporting military families and Second Harvest Heartland, a major Midwest food bank.

Category:American comedians Category:United States senators from Minnesota Category:Harvard University alumni