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How did Mort Sahl die? Comedian, 94, once took a dig at Barack Obama, Donald Trump

Sahl was known for introducing a style of social satire that poked fun at the political and the current topics, a concept that is still used widely

Known for his cutting-edge social commentary, stand-up comedian Mort Sahl died on Tuesday, October 26. A friend of his broke the news to New York Times. He was 94. The legendary funny man breathed his last at his home in Mill Valley, California. Sahl was married and divorced four times but unfortunately, has no immediate family members. His son Mort Jr. passed away at the age of 19 in 1996 from an unknown drug-related reaction.

Sahl was known for introducing a style of social satire that poked fun at political and current topics, a concept that is still used widely by comedians all over the world. The late comedian’s career peaked in the 1950s and the '60s when he also hosted the first Grammy Awards in 1959, and co-hosted the 1959 Academy Awards. Speaking of celebrity deaths, we recently lost Lisa Banes in a hit-and-run accident involving an e-scooter. The 'Deliverance' star Ned Beatty too left us for the heavenly abode. Other celebrities that we lost in the last few months include Chick Vennera, DMX, Jay Black, Jeanette Maus, and many more.
 
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How did legendary comedian Mort Sahl die?

Mort Sahl’s friend, who broke the news, did not share the cause of his death but it is possible he may have died due to age-related issues. Mort Sahl became the first comedian to get featured on the cover of the coveted Time magazine in 1960. Continuing his love for hosting, he also guest-hosted ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson’ several times during the 1960s. Sahl also appeared several times on ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ and other celebrity-driver game shows including ‘The Hollywood Squares’, ‘The Match Game’, and ‘Missing Links’. Sahl was friends with the late Robin Williams after the former moved to Mill Valley in the 2000s.

The Canadian native, who grew up in the San Francisco Bay area, started his career 1953 at the iconic “hungry i” nightclub in San Francisco. He made fun of several American presidents such as Dwight D. Eisenhower, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump during his elongated career. He left everyone stunned when he dropped the first comedy album in 1955 called ‘Mort Sahl at Sunset’. Sahl even dropped the record ‘Mort Sahl at the Hungry I’ that peaked at number 22 on the Billboard 200. Sahl’s final credit comes alongside his old friend Jerry Lewis in 2013’s ‘Max Rose.’ According to multiple reports, Sahl’s net value stayed between $1.5 million and $5 million. He is known for paving the way for iconic comedians such as Lenny Bruce, Richard Pryor and George Carlin.

‘Everyone in the comedy world owes a debt of gratitude to Mort Sahl’

Social media users rushed to Twitter to share their condolences for the late comedian. “RIP Mort Sahl. He just invented modern American political satire, is all. Was still doing great stand-ups on Periscope until very recently.  And while he was best known for stinging wit, he was always an expert joke writer,” said one as another added, “Everyone in the comedy world, whether they realize it or not, owes a debt of gratitude to Mort Sahl. R.I.P.”
 
One user tweeted, “GOD BLESS THE MORT SAHL FOREVER.” The next one added, “R.I.P. Mort Sahl. Most young people have no idea who he was but he was one the few comedians who yanked comedy out of vaudeville type humor into the modern age.  One of the very first to just talk to the audience.  We’ll miss you Mort.” Meanwhile, one posted, “#MortSahl (1927-2021) was not only the most influential standup comic in the history of the medium, he remained, pound-for-pound, the funniest, most innovative comedian of them all, throughout his entire career. He was also a good friend. RIP, Pal.” And, another concluded, “All of us who think of ourselves as modern standup comedians owe a huge debt of gratitude to Mort Sahl because he invented modern standup comedy. Rest In Peace.”