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 troupe\'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.\n', '

His first major appearance was as host of the 1970 summer replacement television series Comedy Tonight, on which were introduced many of the routines that in the next few years would be released on record albums. His extensive routines about the Watergate scandal made him highly popular in the 1970s. In 1974, he appeared in an episode of Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers.\n', '

Klein starred in HBO\'s first stand-up comedy special in 1975 during the cable channel\'s early broadcast days and has continued to appear in several more one-man shows which have typically concluded with his "I can\'t stop my leg" routine. In 1979, Klein was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role in They\'re Playing Our Song. In 1985, he starred in the "Wordplay" episode of The New Twilight Zone.\n', '

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