Mort Sahl
Birthday:
May 11, 1927 in Montréal, Québec, Canada
Birth Name:
Morton Lyon Sahl
Height:
173 cm
Crowned as leading the new breed of modern comedians by Time magazine in 1960, Mort Sahl is the first entertainer ever to appear on its cover. Before comedy clubs existed, Sahl began performing at the hungry i music club in San Francisco in the early 1950s. He differed from other comedians, appearing in casual clothing rather than a suit, skewering...
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Crowned as leading the new breed of modern comedians by Time magazine in 1960, Mort Sahl is the first entertainer ever to appear on its cover. Before comedy clubs existed, Sahl began performing at the hungry i music club in San Francisco in the early 1950s. He differed from other comedians, appearing in casual clothing rather than a suit, skewering popular politicians such as Eisenhower, Joe McCarthy and JFK. Sahl's approach is energetic, tangential, and deep and wide in both social and political scopes, inspiring Woody Allen, George Carlin and countless other comedians.A 1955 performance with Dave Brubeck was recorded and released (without Sahl's permission), selling as Mort Sahl At Sunset, and recently recognized by the Library of Congress as the first stand-up comedy record album.When JFK was assassinated in 1963, Sahl regularly targeted the government's official Warren Commission Report during his routines, resulting in the loss of much of Hollywood's support, while maintaining audience popularity with college tours and a best-selling book, Heartland.Sahl is one of the longest, active, performing social satirists, spanning 60 years and 11 presidents. Show less «
Television is never more false than when it's openly sincere.
Television is never more false than when it's openly sincere.
My whole life is a movie. It's just that there are no dissolves. I have to live every agonizing moment of it. My life needs editing.
My whole life is a movie. It's just that there are no dissolves. I have to live every agonizing moment of it. My life needs editing.
The fact is that you can't have a good relationship with a girl who hasn't settled things with her father.
The fact is that you can't have a good relationship with a girl who hasn't settled things with her father.
Washington couldn't tell a lie, [Richard Nixon] couldn't tell the truth, and [Ronald Reagan] couldn't tell the difference.
Washington couldn't tell a lie, [Richard Nixon] couldn't tell the truth, and [Ronald Reagan] couldn't tell the difference.
Professional comedians, surprisingly, have a lack of humor. They're insensitive to the insanity of our times.
Professional comedians, surprisingly, have a lack of humor. They're insensitive to the insanity of our times.
I never met a man I didn't like until I met Will Rogers.
I never met a man I didn't like until I met Will Rogers.
If you were the only person left on the planet, I would have to attack you. That's my job.
If you were the only person left on the planet, I would have to attack you. That's my job.
You know me, I love lost causes.
You know me, I love lost causes.
Everything I tell you is true, but this is factual.
Everything I tell you is true, but this is factual.
Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen.
Liberals feel unworthy of their possessions. Conservatives feel they deserve everything they've stolen.
[on Watergate] If two wrongs don't make a right, try three.
[on Watergate] If two wrongs don't make a right, try three.
[on hard-core affirmative action] I went to my dressing room between shows and an attorney for the NAACP was waiting fro me. He wanted to kn...Show more »
[on hard-core affirmative action] I went to my dressing room between shows and an attorney for the NAACP was waiting fro me. He wanted to know why I don't have any Negoes in my act. Show less «
I made the mistake early in my career, when I moved to Hollywood, of being attracted to actresses. I used to go out exclusively with actress...Show more »
I made the mistake early in my career, when I moved to Hollywood, of being attracted to actresses. I used to go out exclusively with actresses and other female impersonators. Show less «
