‘I think it’s a high calling to make people laugh’

When it comes to stand-up, there aren’t many comedians who can make you laugh—or have had as much of an impact on comedy—as Robert Klein.

Local audiences will get to see Klein in person when he brings his comedy—and his trademark bluesy harmonica riffs—to The Argyle Theatre in Babylon on Saturday night, Nov. 4.

If you go, you’ll get to see comedy royalty at work.

Klein’s 58-year show biz resume includes almost 100 appearances on “The Tonight Show,” two Grammy-nominated comedy albums (“Child of the Fifties” and “Mind Over Matter”) and a short-lived talk show on the USA Network.

He’s played venues from Carnegie Hall to Greenwich Village’s Bitter End, and had the distinction of being the first comedian to have his own HBO special in 1975.

At a time when the fledgling cable network aired mostly movies, “that was revolutionary,” Klein said in a phone interview from his home in Westchester.

Klein went on to influence the generation of stand-up comedians who followed, including Jay Leno and Jerry Seinfeld, who called him “the Beatles of comedy.”

At 81, Klein is still doing stand-up. He works out with a personal trainer several times a week, but doesn’t tour as much as he used to, although he just returned from four shows in Florida.

“I can still leap on a piano, but I pace myself better,” he jokes.

Raised in the Bronx, Klein came from a talented family.

His mother played piano, his sister sang and his father, a salesman in the Garment District, was the comedian of the family.

Comedy wasn’t on Klein’s mind during Klein’s days at DeWitt Clinton High School. He went off to Alfred University in upstate New York at age 16, planning on becoming a physician. He took some drama classes and caught the performing bug when he was cast in a school production of “The Brothers Karamazov.”

That led to a year at Yale Drama School, which led to a tryout for Chicago’s legendary Second City comedy troupe. Klein’s audition partner was Fred Willard (“Waiting for Guffman,” “Fernwood 2 Night”), who’d become one of his best friends.

Klein spent a year with Second City, moved back to New York, and landed a role in “The Apple Tree,” on Broadway, which was directed by Mike Nichols.

Klein was doing stand-up on the side, performing in downtown nightclubs, when after one set, he was approached by comedian Rodney Dangerfield. The king of “I don’t get no respect” took Klein under his wing.

“He became my Yale School of Drama for stand-up,” Klein said.

In addition to comedy, Klein’s varied career has included a host of TV and movie roles and a starring role in the Neil Simon musical “They’re Playing Our Song,” for which Klein was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

There’s something exhilarating about performing in front of a live audience, Klein said.

“As soon as I get on that stage,” he said, “I’m transformed.”