Date of Birth: May 11, 1927
Zodiac Sign: Taurus
Date of Death: October 26, 2021
Biography
Mort Sahl was a pioneering American comedian and social satirist who gained prominence in the 1950s and 1960s. Born Morton Lyon Sahl on May 11, 1927, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he later moved to the United States with his family and grew up in Los Angeles, California. Known for his acerbic wit and politically charged humor, Sahl broke new ground in stand-up comedy by incorporating current events, politics, and social issues into his routines. He began his career performing at the hungry i nightclub in San Francisco, where he developed a distinctive style that combined improvisation with sharply written monologues. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Sahl performed in casual attire, often wearing a V-neck sweater while holding a rolled-up newspaper, which he referred to during his act. Sahl’s influence extended beyond comedy to journalism and politics; he was the first comedian to appear on the cover of Time magazine and was a close friend and supporter of Senator John F. Kennedy. His career faced challenges during the 1960s when he became an outspoken critic of the Warren Commission’s report on the assassination of President Kennedy, which led to a decline in his mainstream popularity. Nevertheless, Sahl continued to perform and remained a respected figure in the world of comedy until his later years.
5 Interesting Facts about Mort Sahl
1. Mort Sahl was the first comedian to record a live stand-up album, “At Sunset,” in 1955.
2. He was known for his political commentary and was often referred to as the “Rebel Without a Pause.”
3. Sahl was a writer for the 1970 movie “Don’t Make Waves,” starring Tony Curtis and Sharon Tate.
4. He was blacklisted from many television shows and nightclubs in the 1960s due to his outspoken criticism of the Warren Commission.
5. Mort Sahl was awarded the George Polk Award for Commentary in 1960, one of the few comedians to receive a journalism award.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mort Sahl
1. “A conservative is someone who believes in reform. But not now.”
2. “I feel better about the world if I don’t read the paper.”
3. “Reagan won because he ran against Jimmy Carter. If he ran unopposed, he would have lost.”
4. “Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they’ve stolen.”
5. “My life needs editing.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
At the peak of his career, Mort Sahl’s net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Mort Sahl had one son, Mort Sahl Jr., with his third wife, Kenslea Motter. Tragically, Mort Sahl Jr. passed away at the age of 19.
Relevant Links
1. [Mort Sahl – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mort_Sahl
2. [Mort Sahl – IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0756155/
3. [Mort Sahl’s New York Times Obituary](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/26/arts/mort-sahl-dead.html
4. [Mort Sahl – The Comedy Hall of Fame](https://comedyhalloffame.com/mort-sahl/
