Sahl gained fame in 1953 at San Francisco's hungry i, a nexus for beatniks and college kids, and soon appeared at nightclubs across the country, and on television as the guest of Steve Allen and Jack Paar. Reading from a newspaper, Sahl would annotate news stories with cutting comments, often ending his routines by asking: 'Is there any group I haven't offended yet?' They just recorded it and put it out.' That brazen act mirrored the boldness that characterized the humor of satirist Mort Sahl (May 11, 1927-October 26, 2021), whose comedy provided a commentary on politicians and current events that was in sync with an anti-establishment audience during the 1950s and '60s.
He was featured on what is considered the first standup comedy album, 'At Sunset' (1955), and it was, he said, 'illegal.
The Associated Press contributed to this gallery. Peter Breining, San Francisco Chronicle via Getty ImagesĪ look back at the esteemed personalities who left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.īy senior producer David Morgan. Mort Sahl at the hungry i nightclub in San Francisco, in an undated photo.
