comedian who used to be a lawyer

by Juanita Lubowitz Sr. 6 min read

Gregory Carlos Giraldo (December 10, 1965 – September 29, 2010) was an American stand-up comedian, television personality, and lawyer.
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Greg Giraldo
MediumStand-up, television
NationalityAmerican
Alma materColumbia University (BA) Harvard University (JD)
Years active1992–2010
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Who were the original writers for Saturday Night Live?

Franken and Tom Davis were recruited as two of the original writers and occasional performers on Saturday Night Live ( SNL) (1975–1980, 1985–1995). In SNL 's first season, the two apprentice writers shared a salary of $350 per week. Franken received seven Emmy nominations and three awards for his television writing and producing while creating such characters as self-help guru Stuart Smalley. Another routine proclaimed the 1980s the Al Franken Decade. Franken and Davis wrote the script of the 1986 comedy film One More Saturday Night, appearing in it as rock singers in a band called Bad Mouth. They also had minor roles in All You Need Is Cash and the film Trading Places, starring Eddie Murphy and Dan Aykroyd .

Where is Steve Franken's wife?

Franken met his wife, Franni Bryson, during his first year at Harvard. In 2005 they moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. They have a son, a daughter, and four grandchildren. Their daughter, Thomasin, has degrees from Harvard and the French Culinary Institute; she is the director of extended learning at DC Prep, an organization in Washington, D.C., that manages charter schools. Their son, Joseph, works in the finance industry. Franken is a second cousin of the actor Steve Franken, known for his appearances in the television series The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. In 2013, Franken received the Stewart B. McKinney Award for his work fighting homelessness.

Why did Al Franken resign?

Franken resigned on January 2, 2018, after several allegations of sexual misconduct were made against him. In September 2019, Franken announced he would be hosting The Al Franken Show Saturday mornings on SiriusXM radio. It covers topics such as global affairs, politics, the 2020 presidential election, and entertainment.

What radio station is Al Franken on?

In September 2019, Franken announced he would be hosting The Al Franken Show Saturday mornings on SiriusXM radio. It covers topics such as global affairs, politics, the 2020 presidential election, and entertainment.

When was Franken sworn in?

Franken was sworn into the Senate on July 7, 2009, 246 days after the election. He took the oath of office with the Bible of late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone, whose old seat Senate leaders set aside for Franken.

When was Franken elected?

^ Franken was elected to the term beginning January 3, 2009, but did not take his seat until July 7, 2009, because of a recount and a subsequent election challenge.

When did Franken leave Air America?

On January 29, 2007, Franken announced his departure from Air America Radio, and on the day of his final show, February 14, he formally announced his candidacy for the United States Senate from Minnesota in 2008.

Who is Lenny Bruce?

Leonard Alfred Schneider (October 13, 1925 – August 3, 1966), known professionally as Lenny Bruce, was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, and satirist. He was renowned for his open, freestyle and critical form of comedy which contained satire, politics, religion, sex, and vulgarity.

What is the song "Lenny Bruce" about?

Bob Dylan's 1981 song "Lenny Bruce" from his Shot of Love album describes a brief taxi ride shared by the two men. In the last line of the song, Dylan recalls: "Lenny Bruce was bad, he was the brother that you never had.". Dylan has included this song live in concert as recently as November 2019.

Where was Lenny Bruce born?

Lenny Bruce was Jewish, born Leonard Alfred Schneider, in Mineola, New York. He grew up in nearby Bellmore, and attended Wellington C. Mepham High School. His parents divorced before he turned 10, and he lived with various relatives over the next decade. His British -born father, Myron (Mickey) Schneider, was a shoe clerk, and the two saw each other very infrequently. Bruce's mother, Sally Marr (legal name Sadie Schneider, born Sadie Kitchenberg), was a stage performer and had an enormous influence on Bruce's career.

Who is Bruce's father?

His British -born father, Myron (Mickey) Schneider, was a shoe clerk, and the two saw each other very infrequently. Bruce's mother, Sally Marr (legal name Sadie Schneider, born Sadie Kitchenberg), was a stage performer and had an enormous influence on Bruce's career.

What is the most profound and cataclysmic change in our popular culture the last few years?

Perhaps the most profound and cataclysmic change in our popular culture the last few years—matching the "new sound" in music—has been the kind of humor exemplified by the Smothers Brothers, Laugh-In, Woody Allen, and that whole breed, whose secret source of strength was the late dark angel, Lenny Bruce.

Who is the dark angel in the Smothers Brothers?

Perhaps the most profound and cataclysmic change in our popular culture the last few years—matching the "new sound" in music—has been the kind of humor exemplified by the Smothers Brothers, Laugh-In, Woody Allen, and that whole breed, whose secret source of strength was the late dark angel, Lenny Bruce.

A law professor leaves legal academia to pursue her passion

Here at Above the Law, we occasionally profile lawyers who have left the practice of law to pursue other interesting endeavors. I recently interviewed Liz Glazer, who stepped down as a tenured professor at Hofstra Law to become a stand-up comedian, about her unusual path.

How A New Data-Driven Approach In Practical Guidance From LexisNexis Is Empowering Lawyers To Gain More Insight And Make Better Decisions

We recently sat down with Daniel Lewis, Vice President of Practical Guidance and Analytical Content at LexisNexis, to discuss Practical Guidance’s new data-driven approach, how…

Who was arrested for seven dirty words?

George Carlin was once arrested with Bruce, and in his 1972 routine adapted his seven dirty words from nine that landed Bruce in jail on one occasion, omitting “a**” and “b***s.” Carlin himself was arrested for performing “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television," part of his image-changing Class Clown album, in Milwaukee that year. The uncensored radio broadcast of a variation on the routine in 1973 set in motion a chain of legal challenges that culminated in the 1978 Supreme Court decision FCC v. Pacifica Foundation, which defined the Federal Communications Commission’s power over regulating the broadcasting of indecent material.

Who was the guy who banned the Little Bo Peep?

Andrew Dice Clay was a shock-for-shock-sake’s kind of guy, who let it hang out so alarmingly in his Madison Square Garden-filling heyday that MTV banned him in 1989 (“Little Bo Peep f****d her sheep” began his “adult nursery rhymes” routine) and Saturday Night Live cast member Nora Dunn and musical guest Sinead O’Connor, appalled by his misogyny, boycotted his 1990 guest-hosting stint. (He cried about the episode on The Arsenio Hall Show that year.)

Who was Lenny Bruce married to?

Labeled a “sick comic” for his brazen remarks, Lenny Bruce ’s humor went viral in the counterculture of the late 1950s and '60s. Married to stripper Honey Harlow, he emceed at the clubs she worked at and forged his down and dirty act there.

Who played Cate Blanchett in Blue Jasmine?

Clay, who has said he was an actor playing the part of a shock comic, showed impressive dramatic chops opposite Cate Blanchett in Woody Allen ’s Blue Jasmine (2013), and revived his crude “Diceman” persona for the show Dice .

1. Richard Pryor

Highly influential, and always controversial, African-American actor/comedian who was equally well known for his colorful language during his live comedy shows, as for his fast paced life, multiple marriages and battles with drug addiction. He has been acknowledged by many modern comic artist's as ...

2. George Carlin

George Denis Patrick Carlin was born and raised in Manhattan, New York City, to Mary (Bearey), a secretary, and Patrick John Carlin, an advertising manager for The Sun; they had met while working in marketing. His father was from Donegal, Ireland, and his mother was Irish-American. His parents ...

3. Lenny Bruce

Lenny Bruce was born Leonard Alfred Schneider on October 13, 1925, in Mineola, Long Island, New York. His British-born father, Myron, was a shoe clerk, his mother, Sadie, was a dancer. Lenny's parents were divorced when he was a child. To support herself and her son, Sadie Schneider pursued a ...

4. Woody Allen

Woody Allen was born on December 1, 1935, as Allen Konigsberg, in Brooklyn, NY, the son of Martin Konigsberg and Nettie Konigsberg. He has one younger sister, Letty Aronson. As a young boy, he became intrigued with magic tricks and playing the clarinet, two hobbies that he continues today.#N#Allen ...

5. Chris Rock

Christopher Julius Rock was born in Andrews, South Carolina and raised in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York. He is the son of Rosalie (Tingman), a teacher and social worker for the mentally handicapped, and Julius Rock, a truck driver and newspaper deliveryman, whose own father was a preacher.#N#...

6. Steve Martin

Steve Martin was born on August 14, 1945 in Waco, Texas, USA as Stephen Glenn Martin to Mary Lee (née Stewart; 1913-2002) and Glenn Vernon Martin (1914-1997), a real estate salesman and aspiring actor. He was raised in Inglewood and Garden Grove in California. In 1960, he got a job at the Magic ...

7. Rodney Dangerfield

Rodney Dangerfield was born Jacob Cohen on November 22, 1921 in Deer Park, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. He was the son of Dorothy "Dotty" (Teitelbaum) and Phillip Cohen, who performed in vaudeville under the name Phil Roy. His father was born in New York, to Russian Jewish parents, and ...

What was Bill Cosby's career?

A veteran actor, television producer, activist, musician and author, Bill Cosby had started his career as a stand-up comedian by performing at various clubs. The sitcom, The Cosby Show saw ratings hit the roof with its success during the 90s.

Who is Bill Maher?

Bill Maher is a popular American stand-up comedian, television host, actor, and author who is known for his shows like Politically Incorrect, and is currently, the host of the HBO show called Real Time With Bill Maher. He is known for his stand on the legalization of the drug marijuana, and same-sex marriage.

Who is the clownfish in Finding Nemo?

Albert Brooks. Albert Brooks is not just a comedian, but also an Academy Award-nominated actor, writer, voice actor, and director. He began his career as a stand-up comedian. You’ll find him in animation as well, featuring as the voice of the clownfish in search of his son, in Finding Nemo.

Who is Albert Brooks?

Albert Brooks is not just a comedian, but also an Academy Award-nominated actor, writer, voice actor, and director. He began his career as a stand-up comedian. You’ll find him in animation as well, featuring as the voice of the clownfish in search of his son, in Finding Nemo.

Who is Alan King?

Alan King was a Jewish comedian, who was famous for his ability to pass off as funny through angry outbursts with a knack for being hilarious all at once. Being a high-school dropout, he started with stand-up for a dollar a night, progressed to television with The Ed Sullivan Show, and then, earned the status of being one of the most popular entertainers of his time.

What is Benny Hill's job?

Benny Hill started out doing ordinary day jobs, like being a building operator, and even a milkman. He finally landed himself in the industry by working as an assistant stage manager, that slowly led him on his way to comedic stardom. He was a popular comedian, who is most remembered for his television show called The Benny Hill Show. Although, many of his critics have labeled his humor to be sexist and smutty, the comedian still remains to be a favorite for many around the world. His idol, Charlie Chaplin, was known to be a big fan of his.

Who is Benny Hill?

He was a popular comedian, who is most remembered for his television show called The Benny Hill Show. Although, many of his critics have labeled his humor to be sexist and smutty, the comedian still remains to be a favorite for many around the world. His idol, Charlie Chaplin, was known to be a big fan of his.

Who is the father of stand up comedy?

One of the godfathers of modern stand-up comedy, Lenny Bruce fought for free speech and pushed the limits of what a comedian could say and do on stage—and came up with some classic stand-up routines in the process.

Who was the actor who died in 1982?

Photo by Getty Images. John Belushi was a comedy icon when he died in 1982, thanks to his breakout status on "Saturday Night Live" —where he was one of the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players"—and his iconic role in the 1978 film "Animal House.".

Who is Patrick Bromley?

Patrick Bromley is an entertainment writer and the editor-in-chief of "F This Movie.". Previously, he worked as a reporter and critic for the Chicago Sun-Times News Group. There are comics who work for decades and never produce anything of value, and then there are comics who are brilliant but die tragically before the world really has a chance ...

How did Greg Giraldo die?

Like a number of comedians on this list, Greg Giraldo seemed to just be hitting his stride when he died suddenly of an accidental overdose of prescription medication in September of 2010. The Harvard-educated comic had two brilliant albums to his name— "Good Day to Cross a River " and 2009's "Midlife Vices.".

When did John Belushi die?

John Belushi was a comedy icon when he died in 1982, thanks to his breakout status on "Saturday Night Live" —where he was one of the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players"—and his iconic role in the 1978 film "Animal House."

Who idolized John Belushi?

Chris Farley idolized John Belushi, so it's no surprise that the similarities between them are uncanny: like Belushi, Chris Farley started out doing sketch comedy at Chicago's Second City. Like Belushi, he went on to become a breakout star on "Saturday Night Live" before transitioning into popular comedy films like " Tommy Boy ".

How old was Chris Farley when he died?

And, like Belushi, Chris Farley lived too hard and was addicted to drugs and alcohol. When he died in 1997 of a drug overdose, he was 33 years old—the same age as Belushi when he died. 08. of 12.

Who is Peter Cook?

Peter Cook [ Wikipedia] Guinness Book of Records – Derek and Clive. In 2005, his fellow comics named Peter Cook as the comedian’s comedian for his dedication to the art. Unlike his comedy partner Dudley Moore, he was never comfortable with the lure of Hollywood.

Was W.C. Fields an alcoholic?

And in reality, he was a serious alcoholic. Only a very funny man could get away with that and there is no doubt Fields had something special.

Who is Chris Morris?

Top 10 Best of Chris Morris. Chris Morris is currently Britain’s most controversial comedian. He started his career as a radio DJ where he perpetrated his infamous incident at Radio GLC when he released helium into a news studio. He continued on the radio with the deeply satirical On the Hour and the very dark Blue Jam series.

What is Russell Brand famous for?

Famous For: Actor, Stand Up Comedian#N#Russell Brand has been at both the top of the mountain and the bottom. Finding himself getting into drugs at the peak of his acting career, Brand had quite a fall from grace. Not long after though, Brand began to recover. He recovered using the power of Yoga and meditation and through this began discovered The Law Of Attraction.

What is Lady Gaga famous for?

Lady Gaga. Famous For: Singer, Actress. One of the most popular singers in the world, and as of late Academy Award Nominee for Best Actress, Lady Gaga has revealed many of her secrets to the world as how she has done it all. If you guessed Law Of Attraction… you are correct!

What is Oprah famous for?

Oprah Winfrey. Famous For: Actress, Talk Show Host, Television Network Owner, Influential Icon. As successful as Oprah is, she credits all of her accomplishments to the Law Of Attraction. That means the energy she used to attain everything in her life, you have access to as well.

What is Jim Carrey famous for?

Jim Carrey. Famous For: Actor, Stand Up Comedian . Jim Carrey is one of America’s highest paid actors and he credits this title to the Law Of Attraction. From the time he was a child, Carrey stumbled upon the Law Of Attraction by manifesting a bicycle that he wanted.

Who is Arnold Schwarzenegger?

Arnold Schwarzenegger. Famous For: Body Builder, Mr. Universe, Actor, Politician. I have spoken about Arnold Schwarzenegger in several other of my articles as he is one of the most outspoken celebrities when it comes to the Law Of Attraction.

What is Tony Robbins famous for?

Famous For: Motivational Teacher and Speaker#N#Dubbed as one of the greatest motivational speakers of all time, Tony Robbins tributes his success to the Law Of Attraction. Most of his teachings and trainings have to do with the Law Of Attraction as well.

What is Tony Robbins' motivational speech?

Dubbed as one of the greatest motivational speakers of all time, Tony Robbins tributes his success to the Law Of Attraction. Most of his teachings and trainings have to do with the Law Of Attraction as well. Tony talks about the power of positive thinking and how it can create a major shift in your life.

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Early Life

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Bruce was Jewish, born Leonard Alfred Schneider in Mineola, New York. He grew up in nearby Bellmore, and attended Wellington C. Mepham High School. According to his autobiography, during part of his high school years, he lived at Dengler's Farm on Wantagh Avenue in Wantagh, New York. His parents divorced before he was 1…
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Career

  • Bruce's early comedy career included writing the screenplays for Dance Hall Racket in 1953, which featured Bruce, his wife Honey Harlow, and mother Sally Marr; Dream Follies in 1954, a low-budget burlesque romp; and a children's film, The Rocket Man, in 1954. In 1956, Frank Ray Perilli, a fellow nightclub comedian who later wrote two dozen successful films and plays, became Bruce's men…
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Personal Life

  • In 1951, Bruce met Honey Harlow, a stripper from Manila, Arkansas. They were married that year, and Bruce was determined she wouldend her work as a stripper. They left New York in 1953 for the West Coast, where they got work as a double act at the Cup and Saucer in Los Angeles. Bruce then joined a bill at the club Strip City. Harlow found employment at the Colony Club, widely kno…
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Legal Troubles

  • Bruce's desire to help his wife stop working as a stripper led him to pursue schemes designed to make as much money as possible. The most notable was the Brother Mathias Foundation scam, which resulted in Bruce's arrest in Miami, Florida, in 1951 for impersonating a priest. He was soliciting donations for a leper colony in British Guiana (now Guyana) under the auspices of the "…
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Later Years

  • Bruce appeared on network television only six times.In his later club performances, he was known for relating the details of his encounters with the police directly in his comedy routine. These performances often included rants about his court battles over obscenity charges, tirades against fascism, and complaints that he was being denied his right to freedom of speech. He was banne…
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Death and Posthumous Pardon

  • On August 3, 1966, Bruce was found dead in the bathroom of his Hollywood Hills home. The official photo taken at the scene showed him lying naked on the floor, a syringe and burned bottle cap nearby, along with various other narcotics paraphernalia. Record producer Phil Spector, a friend of Bruce, bought the negatives of the photographs "to keep them from the press". The offi…
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Legacy

  • Bruce was the subject of the 1974 biographical drama Lenny, directed by Bob Fosse and starring Dustin Hoffman, who was nominated for an Best Actor Academy Award for the role. It was based on the Broadway stage play of the same name by Julian Barry, which starred Cliff Gorman in his 1972 Tony Award-winning role. The main character's editing of a fictionalized film version of Len…
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in Popular Culture

  1. In 1966, Grace Slick co-wrote and sang the Great Societysong "Father Bruce".
  2. Bruce is pictured in the top row of the cover of the Beatles 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
  3. The clip of a news broadcast featured in "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" by Simon & Garfunkel carries the ostensible newscast audio of Lenny Bruce's death. In another track on the album …
  1. In 1966, Grace Slick co-wrote and sang the Great Societysong "Father Bruce".
  2. Bruce is pictured in the top row of the cover of the Beatles 1967 album Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
  3. The clip of a news broadcast featured in "7 O'Clock News/Silent Night" by Simon & Garfunkel carries the ostensible newscast audio of Lenny Bruce's death. In another track on the album Parsley, Sage...
  4. Tim Hardin's fourth album Tim Hardin 3 Live in Concert, released in 1968, includes his song Lenny's Tuneabout his friend Lenny Bruce.

Bibliography

  1. Bruce, Lenny. Stamp Help Out!(Self-published pamphlet, 1962)
  2. Bruce, Lenny. How to Talk Dirty and Influence People (Playboy Publishing, 1967)
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Discography

  • Compilations
    The later compilations are released in the European Union under various oldies labels, as the content used is public domain in the EU.
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