Al Franken is an American politician, comedian, and author. He served as a United States Senator from Minnesota from 2009 to 2018. Before entering politics, Franken was a well-known writer and performer on Saturday Night Live, where he gained fame for his satirical sketches and political commentary. In addition to his work in comedy, Franken has written several books, often focusing on political issues and media criticism. His career in the Senate included serving on various committees, where he advocated for issues such as healthcare and consumer protection. He resigned from the Senate amid allegations of misconduct in 2017.