Al Franken is an American comedian, writer, actor, and former U.S. Senator known for his multifaceted career in entertainment and politics.
Early Career in Comedy and Writing
Born on May 21, 1951, in New York City, Franken gained prominence as a writer and performer on NBC’s Saturday Night Live (SNL) from 1975 to 1980 and later from 1985 to 1995. His tenure at SNL earned him multiple Emmy Awards for his contributions.
Transition to Politics
Transitioning from comedy to politics, Franken hosted The Al Franken Show on Air America Radio, where he became a notable liberal political commentator. In 2008, he was elected as the U.S. Senator from Minnesota, defeating incumbent Norm Coleman by a narrow margin. He was reelected in 2014. However, in 2018, amid allegations of sexual misconduct, Franken resigned from the Senate.
Recent Activities
In March 2025, Franken returned to acting, portraying Senator Aaron Filkins in Netflix’s murder mystery series The Residence. The show, produced by Shondaland, features Uzo Aduba as Detective Cordelia Cupp, who investigates a murder within the White House.
Personal Life
Franken met his wife, Franni Bryson, during his first year at Harvard University. They have a daughter, Thomasin, and a son, Joseph, along with four grandchildren. The family relocated to Minneapolis in 2005, where Thomasin works in education and Joseph is involved in the finance sector.
For more insights into Al Franken’s work and perspectives, you can visit his official website or follow him on social media platforms.