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Mort Sahl ground breaking stand-up comic from the 1950's has died aged 94

Comedian Mort Sahl has died at the age of 94.

The stand-up comedian was best known for political mockery by Americans in the late 1950s and 1960s.

A friend of Mort’s confirmed to The New York Times the star had passed away at his home in Mill Valley, California.

His cause of death is currently unknown.

In 1959, Mort was the first ever host of the Grammy Awards and that same year he co-hosted the Academy Awards.

Severn years after his hosting roles, he was the first comedian to feature on the front cover of Time Magazine.

He continued his hosting duties into the 1960’s where he presented The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson multiple times.

Comedian Mort Sahl has died at the age of 94
(Image: FilmMagic, Inc)

Mort was different to other comedians at the time due to him taking his material from newspapers and making political potshots whereas everyone else was joking about their wives and mother-in-laws.

The 94-year-old star was best known for wearing a button-down shirt open at the neck with a jumper, he later said he chose this “because it occurred to me you mustn’t look like any member of society you’re criticising.”

(Image: CBS via Getty Images)

Mort also acted in a number of films including Love and War in 1958, All the Young Men, Johnny Cool and You’ve Got To Be Kidding.

The star was married three times to Sue Babior, China Lee and Kenslea Motter.

All three marriages however, did end in divorce.

He had one son with second wife China, Mort Jr but he sadly passed away at the young age of 19 in 1966.

Fans and famous friends have flooded social media to pay condolences to the star following the sad news.

(Image: San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

Comedian Richard Lewis shared a photo featuring many other stars, he penned: “The iconic Mort Sahl has passed. Many of his legendary pals in this photo have passed on as well. This was at an event to salute Mort.

“I’ll miss that red sweater. I loved you pal. RIP #mortsahl”

Comedian and voice actor, Maurice Lamarche wrote: “So sad to learn of #MortSahl’s passing.

“He was extremely kind and encouraging to me as a young comic when I first moved to Los Angeles. RIP, Mort, and thank you.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk


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