• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, June 16, 2008

Former "Saturday Night Live" star Al Franken's bid for the U.S. Senate has become somewhat of a cause célèbre among the show biz set, with an impressive lineup contributing heavily to his Minnesota campaign. And that's no joke.

The Democratic candidate for the seat held by incumbent Norm Coleman has received healthy support from the likes of "SNL" co-stars Dan Aykroyd and Kevin Nealon; the series founder Lorne Michaels; comedic kin such as Conan O'Brien and Garry Shandling; and Oscar winners Tom Hanks, Robin Williams and George Clooney.

At least one celebrity who had never given to a federal campaign before tossed in a standout contribution in recent months: David Letterman. Franken, who's made nine appearances on Letterman's show, received the Democratic Party's endorsement 10 days ago.

Others making contributions, according to the Federal Election Commission, include former "SNL" star Jane Curtin, actress Meg Ryan, long-time NBC chief executive Bob Wright, Alec Baldwin and Rosie O'Donnell.

Hollywood types have collectively contributed tens of thousands.

Franken could still face a primary challenger in the fall, but no candidate has signed up yet. A poll Friday showed him trailing Coleman by three points, 48 to 45.

The race is expected to take on a high profile, partly due to curiosity surrounding Franken's candidacy--what kind of material will he use in the debates?--and the Republican Party's hunger to keep a seat in what is believed to be a Democratic year.

Individuals can contribute a maximum of $4,600 -- $2,300 each for the primary and general elections.

Show biz support for Franken's candidacy began to build last year, helping him establish credibility and build an infrastructure. "SNL"-ers Aykroyd (who had never contributed in an election before) and Michaels, along with actors Hanks and Williams, became max donors.

So did Dick Ebersol, who now heads NBC Sports, but as a network executive helped land Michaels and launch "SNL" in 1975. Michaels, in turn, hired Franken as one of the show's first writers.

Franken stayed with the show until 1980, and then returned from 1985 through 1995, when he became well-known for playing self-help guru Stuart Smalley and mocking Christian Right leader Pat Robertson. Not to mention the sort of preppy, professorial kind of glasses he still wears.

During his early tenure at "SNL," Curtin became a breakout star. If that had anything to do with "Weekend Update" sketches Franken wrote for her, she partly returned the favor last year with a max contribution.

Nealon, a fellow cast member during Franken's second go-round, gave $1,000 late last year, leaving room for more between now and November. And a show writer then, Bonnie Turner, gave the top $4,600 in 2007.

Non-"SNL" comics donating last year included O'Donnell, HBO's Bill Maher, Larry David and "Seinfeld's" Jason Alexander. Show-biz executives showing early support included ex-HBO head Chris Albrecht, "There's Something About Mary" producer Peter Farrelly, former Viacom head Tom Freston and David Geffen.

Donating $1,000 was Ryan, a star in the 1994 drama "When A Man Loves A Woman" that Franken co-wrote, breaking from his comedy roots. Earlier this year, Ryan came through with an additional $2,300 contribution.

In recent months O'Brien, a former "SNL" writer when Franken was there, gave the max (Franken has been on his show 13 times). Clooney also maxed out. And Letterman offered up his $2,300.

Other contributors include Shandling, Baldwin, Ted Danson and wife Mary Steenburgen, famed talent manager Bernie Brillstein, "SNL" producer Michael Shoemaker and Jerry Stiller.

Longtime NBC head Wright and wife Suzanne each gave $2,300, leaving them with the option to give more if the fight with Coleman intensifies.

Harvard-grad Franken grew up in Minnesota and returned to the state in 2005, apparently looking to run for office. He once appeared on C-Span, saying he got much of the inspiration for his political spoofs by watching the network. After he left "SNL," he drifted into political commentary with the best-seller "Rush Limbaugh is a Big Fat Idiot" and as the host of a show on liberal radio network "Air America."

In the current campaign, some opponents have dipped into his past and unearthed salty comments he's made. Franken reportedly admitted that some of his work was "downright offensive."

Minnesotans have shown a willingness to give non-traditional candidates a shot in statewide office, electing former pro wrestler Jesse Ventura governor in 1998.