Robert Klein

Robert Klein
Klein on November 13, 2007
Born	(1942-02-08) February 8, 1942 (age 75) The Bronx, New York City, New York, United States
Medium	Stand-up, television, film, theatre
Nationality	American
Years active	1965–present
Genres	Observational comedy, improvisational comedy, satire/Political satire, musical comedy
Subject(s)	Everyday life, American politics
Spouse	Brenda Boozer (1973-1989; 1 child)

Robert Klein (born February 8, 1942) is an American stand-up comedian, singer and actor. He had several popular and influential comedy albums in the 1970s, was nominated for a Best Actor in a Musical Tony Award for 1979's They're Playing Our Song, and has made a variety of TV and movie appearances, including hosting Saturday Night Live twice.

Klein was born in the Bronx, the son of Frieda (née Moskowitz) and Benjamin Klein, and was raised in a "prototypical 1950s Bronx Jewish" environment. After graduating from DeWitt Clinton High School, Klein had planned to study medicine; however, he changed his mind during his studies at Alfred University, After graduating, he studied at the Yale Drama School when he learned about an opportunity to audition for The Second City. In a piece he wrote for the improvisational 's book, Klein recalled sitting in a room full of other hopefuls, including Fred Willard. Klein's audition consisted of an improvisation set with Willard about two guys in a nightclub, which was successful enough to get Klein and Willard hired by Second City. In the spring of 1965, Klein was chosen as a member of Second City. When he returned to New York City a year later, he was cast by Mike Nichols in the Broadway musical The Apple Tree.