Stand-up comic and television actor Bob Saget has made a career out of making people laugh. If there was ever a thing as a yearbook of comedians throughout history in Saget’s library, you can bet that many of the funny men past and present would make an appearance. Below are the many comics that have inspired and influenced Saget’s style. Many of them he is lucky enough to call his friends.
John Oliver
“John Oliver is a friend and I have man crushes on my comedian friends,” said Saget, adding that he loves people who are honest. “When I did my book tour, John interviewed me and we talked forever. He was saying how I’m the opposite of him, but he couldn’t stop reading my book.”
Robert Klein and Jerry Seinfeld
“Robert Klein invented a type of comedian that is based on what a lot of people are. He’s very relatable,” said Saget. “There’s also observational comedians and you can’t get better than Jerry Seinfeld, he’s great.”
Kevin Hart
“I love Kevin Hart because he’s a character and he’s a really positive thinker,” said Saget. “He’s promotional and yet it’s not offensive. He’s so driven.”
Steve Martin
“I’ve been doing stand up for a long time, and for me, it’s gotten more real,” said Saget. “We don’t see people being clowns as much; they’re more responsible for what they’re doing. I’m silly too and a giant Steve Martin fan, he made silly wonderful.”
Don Rickles, Rodney Dangerfield and Richard Pryor
“Don Rickles is a friend of mine and he’s the nicest man in the world. He’s been a big influence on me,” said Saget of Rickles. “Rodney Dangerfield and Richard Pryor have also served as my inspirations and I was lucky enough to work with both them.”
According to Saget, there is a camaraderie between comedians, and that they are the group you want to have in your corner to band together through tough times.
“I always turn to John Oliver, Jimmy Kimmel, Stephen Colbert and Bill Maher for solace,” he said.
