Paul Shaffer

Paul Allen Wood Shaffer (born November 28, 1949 in Fort William, Ontario, Canada) is a Jewish-Canadian musician, actor, author, comedian and composer.

Shaffer began his musical career in 1972 as the musical director for a

Paul Allen Wood Shaffer (born November 28, 1949 in Fort William, Ontario, Canada) is a Jewish-Canadian musician, actor, author, comedian and composer.

Shaffer began his musical career in 1972 as the musical director for a Toronto area production of Godspell. He went on to play piano for a Broadway show called The Magic Show in 1974, then became the musical director for NBC's popular Saturday Night Live television program from 1975 to 1980. SNL gave Shaffer the opportunity to stretch his comedy wings as well, when he eventually started appearing in sketches with the other comedians.