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Description
In this oral history, stand-up comedy pioneer Mort Sahl recounts his life, career, passions, and disappointments. Born in Montreal in 1927, Mort grew up primarily in Los Angeles. After graduating from USC, Mort moved up to the Bay Area and soon after started his career in stand-up comedy at the legendary hungry i nightclub in San Francisco. Mort discusses his rise to national fame in the entertainment business, which led him to meet many notable people, including the likes of John F. Kennedy for whom he wrote speeches during the 1960 presidential campaign. Mort discusses his three marriages and the tragic early death of his son. 91 years old when this oral history was conducted, Mort recounts how he moved to Mill Valley from Los Angeles just a decade earlier after doing some performances at the Throckmorton Theatre. Throughout this oral history Mort uninhibitedly shares his views on life, culture, politics, and various other subjects, revealing a singular personality.
Identifier
A6BAAB00-F038-4539-950F-002483751490 2018.032.001
Subject
Babior, Susan Clubs Comedians Garrison, Jim Hungry i Jazz Kennedy, John F Kennedy, Joseph Lee, China McCarthy, Eugene Mercer, Lucy Oral history - Visual, performing, literary arts Politicians Politics Sahl Jr., Mort Sahl, Kenslea Sahl, Mort Schwartz, Dorothy Shows Speechwriting Stevenson, Adlai Throckmorton Theatre Winters, Jonathan Writers Writing
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