Alan Stuart "Al" Franken (born May 21, 1951) is an American politician and the junior United States Senator from Minnesota, serving since 2009. A member of the Democratic Party, he narrowly defeated incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman in 2008. Prior to serving in the Senate, he was a writer and performer for the television show Saturday Night Live (SNL) from its conception in 1975 to 1980, returning in 1985 until 1995.