About Mort Sahl
Morton Lyon Sahl (1927-2021) was a Canadian-born American comedian, actor, and social satirist. He pioneered a style of social satire that pokes fun at political and current event topics by means of improvised monologues, using only a newspaper as a prop. Born in Montreal, Quebec, the only child of Jewish parents, his family later relocated to Los Angeles, and after serving in the United States Army Air Forces he earned a degree from the University of Southern California. He made his professional stage debut at the hungry i nightclub in San Francisco in 1953, and his popularity grew quickly, leading him to become the first comedian featured in a Time cover story in 1960. His act inspired many later comics, including Lenny Bruce, George Carlin and Woody Allen, and television host Steve Allen called him the only real political philosopher in modern comedy. John F. Kennedy asked him to write jokes for campaign speeches, though Sahl later turned his barbs at the president, and after Kennedy's assassination he focused on what he saw as the Warren Report's inaccuracies, alienating much of his audience.
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Frequently asked questions
What was Mort Sahl's comedy style?
Mort Sahl pioneered social satire aimed at politics and current events, delivered as improvised monologues with only a newspaper as a prop.
Where was Mort Sahl born?
Morton Lyon Sahl was born in Montreal, Quebec, and became a Canadian-born American comedian, actor and social satirist. He lived from 1927 to 2021.
Where did Mort Sahl make his stage debut?
His professional debut came in 1953 at the hungry i nightclub in San Francisco, and his popularity grew quickly from there.
Was Mort Sahl on the cover of Time?
Yes. In 1960 he became the first comedian featured in a Time cover story.
Which comedians did Mort Sahl influence?
His act inspired later comics including Lenny Bruce, George Carlin and Woody Allen, and Steve Allen called him the only real political philosopher in modern comedy.
Did Mort Sahl write jokes for John F. Kennedy?
Kennedy asked him to write jokes for campaign speeches, although Sahl later turned his barbs on the president himself.
