Mort Sahl was a Canadian-born American humorist and satirist who was one of the first modern stand-up comedians. He was known for his sharp wit and political satire, which often included references to current events and politicians. He was also an actor, writer, and director. Sahl was a major influence on many later comedians, including Lenny Bruce, George Carlin, and Richard Pryor. He was inducted into the Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame in 2002.