Al Franken
Acting Born May 21, 1951 New York City, New York, USA 144 credits
Biography
Al Franken is an American actor. He is known for his work on the television comedy show Saturday Night Live, where he performed and served as a staff writer from 1975 to 1980 and from 1985 to 1995. Franken has a long career in acting, with 73 known credits. He was born on May 21, 1951, in New York City, New York, USA. As a senator from Minnesota, Franken served from 2009 until his resignation in 2018. His acting work has contributed to his popularity, and he is widely recognized for his comedic talents.
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Career overview
Al Franken is a comedian and actor who began his career in the entertainment industry. He is known for his work on the television comedy show Saturday Night Live. Franken's involvement with SNL is documented, with sources indicating that he worked as a staff writer and performer.
Franken's acting credits include work in television and film. The exact nature and extent of his acting work are not specified in the provided sources. However, it is stated that he has been involved in numerous projects, with a total of 73 known credits. Franken's acting career has been a significant part of his overall professional endeavors.
Franken's acting career has been a notable aspect of his work in the entertainment industry. While the specifics of his acting roles and projects are not detailed in the provided sources, it is clear that he has had a substantial presence in television and film.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Lorne
The ResidenceSNL50: Beyond Saturday NightLadies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL MusicDowney Wrote That
Gracie & Pedro: Pets to the RescueGracie & Pedro: Pets to the Rescue · Executive Producer
Biography: Comedy IconsChris Farley: Anything for a Laugh
Minnesota ExperienceInside the Russian Info War Machine
The History of ComedyI Love You, AmericaHot GreaseThe Words That Built AmericaAn Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power
Chelsea
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonLate Night with Seth Meyers
Hot Coffee
ConanOverheard with Evan Smith
Lord, Save Us from Your FollowersDean and Me: Roadshow of an American Primary
Saturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture NationMr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater
Al Franken: God Spoke
The Colbert ReportSaturday Night Live in the '80s: Lost and FoundEarth to AmericaLeft of the Dial
The Manchurian CandidateTanner on TannerWellstone!Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on JournalismIndian Point: Imagining the Unimaginable
Real Time with Bill MaherJimmy Kimmel Live!Jimmy Kimmel Live!
The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Chevy Chase
Harvard Man
Clerks
The Late Late Show with Craig KilbornSaturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special
From the Earth to the MoonLateLineLateLine · ProducerLateLine · WriterLateLine · Creator
The ViewThe Definite Maybe
The Daily ShowThe Daily Show3rd Rock from the SunThe Rosie O'Donnell Show
Dr. Katz, Professional TherapistDr. Katz, Professional Therapist · Additional WritingStuart Saves His FamilyStuart Saves His Family · ScreenplayStuart Saves His Family · Novel
When a Man Loves a WomanWhen a Man Loves a Woman · Executive ProducerWhen a Man Loves a Woman · Screenplay
Late Show with David LettermanLate Night with Conan O'BrienPolitically IncorrectPolitically Incorrect · Writer
The Tonight Show with Jay LenoThe Larry Sanders Show
Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
One More Saturday NightOne More Saturday Night · Writer
Full Filmography
144 titles- Lorne (2026) as Self
- The Residence (2025) as Aaron Filkins
- SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night (2025) as Self
- Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music (2025) as Self - SNL Writer / Self - Cast Member / Self - Producer 1975 - 1995
- Downey Wrote That (2025) as Self
- Gracie & Pedro: Pets to the Rescue (2024) as Gramps (voice)
- Gracie & Pedro: Pets to the Rescue (2024) Executive Producer
- Biography: Comedy Icons (2019) as Self
- Chris Farley: Anything for a Laugh (2019) as Self
- Minnesota Experience (2018) as Self (archive footage)
- Inside the Russian Info War Machine (2018) as Self
- The History of Comedy (2017) as Self
- I Love You, America (2017) as Self
- Hot Grease (2017) as Self
- The Words That Built America (2017) as Self - Reader: The Constitution
- An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017) as Self
- Long Strange Trip (2017) as Self
- Chelsea (2016) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Hot Coffee (2011) as Self
- Conan (2010) as Self
- Overheard with Evan Smith (2010) as Self
- Lord, Save Us from Your Followers (2008) as Self
- Dean and Me: Roadshow of an American Primary (2008) as Self
- Saturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture Nation (2007) as Self
- Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater (2007) as Self
- Al Franken: God Spoke (2006) as Self
- The Colbert Report (2005) as Self
- Saturday Night Live in the '80s: Lost and Found (2005) as Self
- Earth to America (2005) as Self
- Left of the Dial (2005) as Self
- The Manchurian Candidate (2004) as TV Commentator
- Tanner on Tanner (2004) as Self
- Wellstone! (2004) as Self
- Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism (2004) as Self (archive footage)
- Indian Point: Imagining the Unimaginable (2004) as Self
- Real Time with Bill Maher (2003) as Self - Guest
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self - Guest Host
- The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Chevy Chase (2002) as Self - Roaster
- Harvard Man (2001) as Al Franken
- Clerks (2000) as Mayor McCheese (voice)
- The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (1999) as Self
- Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special (1999) as Self
- From the Earth to the Moon (1998) as Jerome Weisner
- LateLine (1998) as Al Freundlich
- LateLine (1998) Producer
- LateLine (1998) Writer
- LateLine (1998) Creator
- Saturday Night Live: The Best of Phil Hartman (1998) Writer
- The View (1997) as Self
- The Definite Maybe (1997) as Vagabond
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self
- The Daily Show (1996) as Self - Guest Host
- 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996) as Frank Gansmiller
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self
- Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1995) as Al (voice)
- Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1995) Additional Writing
- Stuart Saves His Family (1995) as Stuart Smalley
- Stuart Saves His Family (1995) Screenplay
- Stuart Saves His Family (1995) Novel
- When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) as Co-Pilot (uncredited)
- When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) Executive Producer
- When a Man Loves a Woman (1994) Screenplay
- Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as Self - Guest
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- Politically Incorrect (1993) as Self
- Politically Incorrect (1993) Writer
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992) as Self
- The Larry Sanders Show (1992) as Al Franken
- Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary (1989) as Self
- Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel (1988) as The Awesome Pair
- One More Saturday Night (1986) as Paul Flum
- One More Saturday Night (1986) Writer
- Tab Lloyd: Investigative Reporter (1985)
- Trading Places (1983) as Baggage Handler #1
- The Coneheads (1983) Writer
- Franken and Davis at Stockton State (1983) as Himself
- Franken and Davis at Stockton State (1983) Writer
- Steve Martin's Best Show Ever (1981)
- Steve Martin's Best Show Ever (1981) Writer
- Grateful Dead: Dead Ahead (1981) as Self - Host
- Bob & Ray, Jane, Laraine & Gilda (1979) Writer
- The Paul Simon Special (1977) Writer
- Tunnel Vision (1976) as Al
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as McSooshi Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Various Characters
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Special Guest
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Judge / Cook (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Ron Ziegler (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Crowd Member (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Phone Technician (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Pong Player (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Mourner (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Pong Player #1 (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Pong Player on the Right (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Guest (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Player on the Left (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Bee / Pong Player (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Dancer (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Lab Technician (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Wanderer (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Voice of Senator / Dr. Alan S. Franken (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Various / Football Player (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as George Jessel / Various (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Various (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Patron (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Patron / Extra (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Mr. Arkansas
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Passenger (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Patron / Jewish Warrior (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Ray Floyd (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Lester Crackfield (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Rod M (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Pete Tagliani
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Guard (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Buzz (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Customer (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as René (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Student (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Two Mile Player (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Shipmate (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Cardinal / Brad Gunderic / Soldier (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Soldier (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Various
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Camper (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Caveman / Motorist (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Pinklisting Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as The Life of Vlad the Impalere announcer (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Russian Translator (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Narrator: Big Ball of Sports (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Bartender (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Henry Kissinger (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as ICM Narrator (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Various / Announcer (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Psycho Mutant (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Sen. Paul Simon (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self / Pat Robinson (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Stuart Smalley (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) Producer
- Saturday Night Live (1975) Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Al Franken best known for?
Al Franken is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Lorne (2026), The Residence (2025), Minnesota Experience (2018), Chelsea (2016).
When and where was Al Franken born?
Al Franken was born on May 21, 1951 in New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Al Franken have?
Al Franken has accumulated over 144 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1975 to 2026.
What is Al Franken's background in cinema and television?
Al Franken is an American actor. He is known for his work on the television comedy show Saturday Night Live, where he performed and served as a staff writer from 1975 to 1980 and from 1985 to 1995. Franken has a long career in acting, with 73 known credits. He was born on May 21, 1951, in New York City, New York, USA. ...