Al Franken
Born 1951 · Age 75
American comedian, writer, actor and Democratic politician; long-time Saturday Night Live writer/performer; bestselling author and radio host; U.S. Senator from Minnesota (2009–2018).
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in New York City
Alan Stuart Franken born to Joseph and Phoebe Franken in New York City.
Family moved to Albert Lea, Minnesota
Franken's family relocated to Albert Lea, Minnesota when he was four.
Family moved to St. Louis Park, Minnesota
After his father's quilting factory failed, the family moved to St. Louis Park, a Minneapolis suburb.
Graduated from The Blake School
Completed high school; was on the wrestling team and performed comedy with Tom Davis.
Graduated Harvard College (A.B. in Political Science)
Graduated cum laude from Harvard; met future wife Franni Bryson while at Harvard.
Performed at Brave New Workshop (Minneapolis)
Early professional comedy work with Tom Davis that led to NBC hiring.
Hired as original writer for Saturday Night Live
Recruited (with Tom Davis) as an original writer on SNL; early salary reported at $350/week for the two apprentice writers.
Married Franni Bryson
Married his Harvard-era partner; they later had two children and grandchildren.
Became featured player on SNL (late 1970s)
Served as a featured performer near the end of the 1979–80 season.
Left SNL with Lorne Michaels (first stint ends)
Departed SNL after Lorne Michaels left the show at the end of the 1979–80 season.
Film role in Trading Places
Had a small role in the hit film Trading Places (credited as baggage handler).
Returned to SNL as writer/performer (second stint)
Rejoined SNL as a writer and occasional performer; later became a long-term writer/producer through 1995.
Co-wrote and appeared in One More Saturday Night
Franken and Tom Davis co-wrote the 1986 comedy film; Franken appeared in it.
Published 'I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough, and Doggone It, People Like Me!'
Book of daily affirmations tied to Stuart Smalley character.
Film 'Stuart Saves His Family' released (based on his SNL character)
Franken wrote and starred in the film; it was a critical and commercial failure and impacted his well-being.
Published 'Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations'
Became a New York Times bestseller; audiobook read by Franken later won a Grammy.
Accumulated multiple Emmy nominations and awards (cumulative)
Over his television career Franken received numerous Emmy nominations and is credited with multiple Emmy wins for writing/producing SNL material (cumulative through 1990s/2000s).
Grammy Award for audiobook (Rush Limbaugh Is a Big Fat Idiot)
Audiobook read by Franken won a Grammy (award year approx. following bestseller).
Published 'Why Not Me?'
Parody about a hypothetical 2000 presidential campaign.
Published 'Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them'
Satirical best-seller targeting conservative media; brought major attention and legal challenge from Fox News.
Grammy Award for 'Lies and the Lying Liars' audiobook
The audiobook won a Grammy (award year around 2004).
Joan Shorenstein Center Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School
Served as a fellow at the Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy.
Legal dispute publicized (Fox News vs. book title)
Fox News sued over the 'Fair and Balanced' phrase in Franken's book title; judge found the suit without merit and publicity boosted sales.
Became host of The Al Franken Show (daily radio)
Hosted a three-hour, five-day-a-week progressive radio show on Air America from 2004 until 2007.
Air America Radio network launched
Air America launched; Franken signed a one-year contract to host a flagship program.
Show renamed 'The Al Franken Show'
Franken's Air America program originally named 'The O'Franken Factor' was renamed 'The Al Franken Show'.
Published 'The Truth (With Jokes)' and moved to Minneapolis
Released another book and relocated to Minneapolis (move later signaled possible Senate run).
Founded Midwest Values PAC
Formed a political action committee to support Democrats and political activity in the Midwest.
USO tours to Iraq and entertaining troops
Traveled and performed for troops with the USO multiple times including the 2006 tour during which the Leeann Tweeden incident later alleged to have occurred.
Campaign fundraising (Q2 2007): raised $1.9M
Franken's campaign reported $1.9M raised in Q2 2007 (compared to Coleman's $1.6M).
Campaign cash on hand snapshot (July 2007)
Coleman's $3.8M cash-on-hand exceeded Franken's $2.0M (campaign finance snapshot).
Left Air America and prepared to run for Senate
Announced his departure from Air America (Jan 29) and prepared to run for U.S. Senate; final show Feb 14 when he formally announced candidacy.
Announced candidacy for U.S. Senate (Minnesota)
Formally announced run for the U.S. Senate on the final Air America show.
Paid fines and back taxes related to pre-campaign business
Paid $25,000 fine to New York for workers' comp noncompliance and paid $70,000 in back state income taxes across 17 states; small California balance also paid.
2008 Election final margin after court rulings: Franken wins by 312 votes
After recounts and court proceedings the final certified margin was 312 votes out of nearly three million cast in one of the closest Senate races in history.
2008 General Election (initial count: Coleman leads)
Election night preliminary results showed Norm Coleman leading Franken by over 700 votes; extremely close statewide contest.
Official results certified (Nov 18, 2008): Coleman ahead by 215
State certified Coleman up by 215 votes triggering an automatic recount under Minnesota law.
Recount certified (Jan 5, 2009): Franken leads by 225
Minnesota State Canvassing Board certified recount results with Franken ahead by 225 votes.
Presented USO Metro Merit Award
Recognized for ten years of involvement with the United Service Organizations (USO).
Trial panel rules more ballots should be counted (April 7, 2009)
A three-judge panel ruled 351 of 387 contested absentee ballots were incorrectly rejected and ordered counted, moving Franken ahead.
Minnesota Supreme Court rejects Coleman's appeal (June 30, 2009)
Court unanimously rejected Norm Coleman's appeal; Franken entitled to be certified as the winner; Coleman conceded.
Sworn in as United States Senator from Minnesota
Franken took the oath July 7, 2009; he used Senator Paul Wellstone's Bible; Senate Democrats regained a 60-seat filibuster-proof majority.
Presided over confirmation vote of Sonia Sotomayor
As a senator, Franken presided during Sotomayor's confirmation to the Supreme Court.
First piece of legislation passed: Service Dogs for Veterans Act
Franken's first Senate legislation (co-written with Sen. Johnny Isakson) established a VA program to pair service dogs with disabled veterans; passed by unanimous consent.
Authored Medical Loss Ratio provision (ACA amendment)
Wrote an amendment to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act requiring insurers to spend at least 80% (85% for large groups) of premiums on care.
Presided over confirmation vote of Elena Kagan
Franken presided over the Senate vote confirming Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Daughter Thomasin noted as director of extended learning at DC Prep (by 2011)
Family milestone: Thomasin Franken held leadership role at charter school organization by 2011.
Received Stewart B. McKinney Award
Awarded for work fighting homelessness.
Won DFL Primary for U.S. Senate (2014)
Won the Democratic–Farmer–Labor primary with 94.5% of the vote.
Re-elected to U.S. Senate (2014 general)
Defeated Republican Mike McFadden with 53.2% of the vote in the general election.
Midwest Values PAC fundraising milestone (by late 2015)
Franken's political action committee raised more than $5 million by late 2015.
PAC fundraising in 2016
Midwest Values PAC raised $3.3 million in 2016.
Published memoir 'Al Franken, Giant of the Senate'
Released a memoir reflecting on his Senate career (published 2017).
Leeann Tweeden allegation published
Leeann Tweeden alleged Franken forcibly kissed her during a 2006 USO rehearsal; a 2006 photo showing Franken posing over a sleeping Tweeden circulated.
Senate Ethics Committee investigation announced
Senate Ethics Committee announced it was investigating allegations against Franken.
Announced intention to resign
In the face of multiple allegations and calls from Senate colleagues, Franken announced he would resign his Senate seat.
Experienced clinical depression after resignation
Franken reported a period of clinical depression and treatment following his resignation.
Resigned from U.S. Senate (effective Jan 2, 2018)
Officially resigned his Senate seat; Minnesota governor appointed Tina Smith as interim replacement.
Jane Mayer reporting and reconsideration
New Yorker reporting by Jane Mayer in 2019 highlighted inconsistencies in allegations and many senators later expressed regret about pressuring Franken to resign.
Launched The Al Franken Podcast
Started a new podcast; also began touring with a non-comedic solo show around the same time.
Announced hosting The Al Franken Show on SiriusXM
In September 2019 Franken announced he would host a Saturday-morning show on SiriusXM covering politics and culture.
Moved back to New York City (Upper West Side)
In summer 2021 Franken relocated to Manhattan's Upper West Side.
Performed solo theater show in Northampton
His first post-quarantine theater show, 'The Only Former US Senator Currently on Tour Tour', debuted in fall 2021 and continued into 2022.
Said he regretted resigning; might run again
In a Washington Post Live interview Franken said he regretted resigning and might seek public office again.
Guest-hosted The Daily Show
Franken guest-hosted The Daily Show after Trevor Noah's departure in March 2023.
Acts in Netflix series 'The Residence'
Took his first acting role in 27 years, playing a U.S. senator in the Netflix comedy-mystery series.
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