Mort Sahl was a stand-up comedian who pioneered a conversational style of comedy that influenced generations of comics.
- Died: October 26, 2021 (Who else died on October 26?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in Mill Valley, California at the age of 94.
- We invite you to share condolences for Mort Sahl in our Guest Book.
Revolutionary comedy
When Sahl began doing stand-up in the early 1950s, comedy was still evolving from its vaudeville roots, and nobody was doing quite what he’d do when he first stepped on a stage. Carrying a newspaper under one arm, Sahl offered a rapid-fire, conversational patter that sounded utterly natural and unscripted (and it often was – Sahl frequently improvised). Focusing on political satire and commentary, Sahl’s dark humor appealed to young humorists including Woody Allen and John Cleese, who were profoundly influenced by him. Sahl also found a fan in President John F. Kennedy (1917–1963), who asked the comedian to write political jokes for him. Sahl’s 1958 album, “The Future Lies Ahead,” a recording of a routine in front of a live audience, is widely considered to be the first modern comedy album.
After President Kennedy’s death, Sahl volunteered to be a part of New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison’s team investigating the assassination. Sahl became obsessed, he admitted, with the various theories about the assassination, and he disbelieved the Warren Commission Report. His obsession spilled over into his comedy routines, often taking over a show and turning off fans. Sahl’s career suffered as he chased the truth about Kennedy’s assassination, his bookings and income drying up.
In the 1970s, as the audience for political satire increased, Sahl’s career partially recovered, and he returned to stage and TV appearances. He continued doing stand-up well into his 90s, performing weekly until 2020.
Sahl on his style
“I rehearsed in front of the audience and then filtered it out, kept the stuff that worked, and extended it. It was a real high-wire act with no net. It’ll start with a joke, and a story will start to embroider itself. That’s always worked for me. It was an extemporaneous act with a lot of free association and politics.” —from a 2004 interview with the AV Club
Tributes to Mort Sahl
Full obituary: The New York Times
