Al Franken

Al Franken is a funny and successful comedian and lecturer who is perhaps best known for his performances on the NBC-TV variety progam "Saturday Night Live." He is also known as half of the comedy duo, "Franken and Davis."

Franken, an original writer on SNL, received five Emmy Awards[?] for television writing and producing for his work there, which included characters such as self-help guru Stuart Smalley[?] and shticks like the "Al Franken Decade." Franken was associated with SNL for more than 15 years and most recently (in 2002) interviewed former Vice President Al Gore while in character as Smalley.

Franken is the author of books including "I'm Good Enough, I'm Smart Enough and Doggone It, People Like Me"; "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot and Other Observations"; "Oh, the Things I Know!: A Guide to Success, or Failing That, Happiness"; a movie, "Stuart Saves His Family"; and Franken co-wrote "When a Man Loves a Woman."

Franken grew up in Minnesota and is a graduate of Harvard College. He is married to Franni Franken. They live in New York City with their son and daughter. He is also a cousin of Bob Franken[?] of CNN.