Will Durst
Here’s a detailed, SEO-optimized profile of Will Durst — though note: he is best known as a political satirist / comedian / columnist rather than a conventional “author,” his written work is significant.
Will Durst – Life, Career, and Satirical Voice
Explore the life and work of Will Durst (born March 18, 1952), American political satirist, columnist, comedian, and social commentator. Learn how he blends humor, writing, and activism to critique media, power, and politics.
Introduction
Will Durst is widely recognized as one of America’s incisive political satirists. His voice combines biting humor, keen observations of power, and a deep commitment to holding institutions accountable through laughter. Over decades, he has written columns, performed one-man shows, appeared on television and radio, and published books that reflect both his comedic sensibility and civic engagement.
While not primarily known as a literary fiction or nonfiction author, his contributions as a writer underpin much of his satirical impact. In this article, we’ll explore his life, his evolution, his approach to writing & comedy, key works, influence, and lessons from his long career.
Early Life & Education
Will Durst was born on March 18, 1952, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States.
He attended many schools during his youth — reportedly 14 different schools before graduating from Waukesha South High School in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
After high school he attended several institutions — Waukesha County Technical Institute, the University of Wisconsin (Waukesha County Campus), Marquette University, and University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee — though he did not complete a degree.
In his early twenties, he experimented with performance, writing, and comedic outlets, setting the stage for his later career.
Career & Literary/Comedic Journey
Entry into Comedy & Satire
Durst began performing stand-up in 1974, on open mic nights in Milwaukee at a bar called the Rusty Nail. Same Player Shoots Again, Better Than a Sharp Stick in the Eye, and Will Jon Rip Marian? to gain stage experience.
He studied for a time with director Paul Sills in Milwaukee at the Century Hall theater complex, which enriched his improvisational and theatrical sensibilities.
In 1979, Durst relocated to San Francisco, a hub for political comedy and alternative performance, thereby expanding his stage presence and writing opportunities.
Writing & Column Work
Writing is deeply woven into Durst’s output. He produces a weekly political humor column syndicated through Cagle Cartoons.
He has contributed to periodicals and outlets such as George, Funny Times, The New York Times, the San Francisco Chronicle, The Progressive Magazine (bi-monthly column), Huffington Post, and
His columns often target hypocrisy in politics, media absurdities, and social contradictions — using humor as critique. Durst has appeared on major television platforms: Late Night with David Letterman, Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime, and more. He was host/co-producer of the PBS series Livelyhood, and has had pilots and cancelled shows such as The Durst Amendment and Citizen Durst. A Year’s Worth with Will Durst on A&E, nominated for a Cable ACE. He’s been a recurrent commentator on news networks (NPR, CNN, C-SPAN) and political/cultural issues. Durst has created and performed multiple one-man shows, often tied to current political climates: The All-American Sport of BiPartisan Bashing (premiered circa 2007 in New York) Elect to Laugh (2012) — focused on a presidential election cycle, ran many weeks in San Francisco. BoomeRaging: From LSD to OMG, a show exploring his generation, performed across many cities. Durst Case Scenario, a post-Trump updated comedy show. He has performed it regularly, including weekly at the Marsh Theater in San Francisco. He has published at least three books, including Elect to Laugh and The All-American Sport of Bipartisan Bashing. In audio/recorded form, he has released multiple recordings: None of the Above, You Can't Make Stuff Up Like This, Warning, Raging Moderate, and Elect to Laugh (some via Stand-Up! Records). Durst often frames his comedy as "political comedy for people who don’t like politics" — poking fun at both major parties, media, and power structures. He aims to “transcend party ties” — satirizing failures on both left and right while upholding ideals of accountability. His humor highlights absurdities in everyday life, cultural contradictions, media spin, and the chasm between political rhetoric and lived realities. He blends sarcasm, surreal humor, and black comedy, while maintaining a sense of moral outrage over hypocrisy and injustice. Over decades, Durst has adapted to changing media platforms (from print to web columns, podcasts, stand-up theater, broadcast). His one-man shows often reflect current events, showing flexibility and responsiveness. In 1987, Durst ran unsuccessfully for Mayor of San Francisco — an interesting intersection of activism and performance. On October 7, 2019, Durst suffered a hemorrhagic stroke backstage before a performance at the Presidio Theatre in San Francisco. He underwent rehabilitation afterward. Despite health challenges, he has continued work, though with adjustments given his recovery. Durst is often compared to fellow satirists such as Will Rogers and Mort Sahl — voices who used wit to address political and cultural issues. In the American political comedy landscape, he has been a bridge between stand-up, journalism, and civic critique. His writings — columns, shows, recorded works — amplify satire’s role in public discourse, encouraging skeptical engagement rather than passive consumption. Because he writes as much as he performs, his legacy is not only in laughs but in texts (columns, books) that persist beyond ephemeral shows. Write as much as you perform. Stay current but timeless. Adapt across media Use humor to provoke, not just amuse. Persistence through adversity Will Durst is a writer as much as a comedian — a satirical commentator whose columns, books, shows, and performances form a sustained body of socially conscious humor. He exemplifies how writing and stagecraft can combine to influence public dialogue, and how a satirist must balance laughter with moral urgency.Broadcasts, Television & Media Presence
Shows & Published Works
Themes & Style
Political Satire & Bipartisan Critique
Observational Irony & Social Commentary
Longevity & Adaptation
Significant Moments & Challenges
Legacy & Influence
Lessons from Will Durst
Durst’s satire is grounded in continuous writing. Performance is only one outlet; steady column work builds voice and influence.
His shows tie into current events, but his core satirical perspective address deeper patterns in media, power, and hypocrisy.
From print to radio, TV, live theater, podcasts — his career shows how a writer/performer must evolve with platforms.
Durst’s satire challenges assumptions, calls out failure, and invites deeper thought — not just entertainment.
His stroke and health setbacks serve as reminders of resilience; a long creative career must adjust to life’s unpredictability.Conclusion