List of celebrities who unsuccessfully auditioned for Saturday Night Live
The following is a list of actors, comedians and celebrities who auditioned for a part in the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live but did not get cast in the show.[1][2][3] Many of these celebrities managed to achieve successful careers in the entertainment industry, with some of them eventually appearing on the show as a guest host or in some other capacity.[4][5][6] This list is in alphabetical order by last name.
A
- Dave Attell auditioned in 1993. Instead, he was hired as a writer for the show during its 19th season.[3][7]
B
- Charlie Barnett auditioned in 1980, but passed it up because he was self-conscious about his inability to read.[7]
- Richard Belzer claimed that series creator Lorne Michaels promised to cast him in the show but later changed his mind.[3][4][7]
- Rachel Bloom auditioned in 2012.[5]
- Although he was a writer for the show's 25th season, Kevin Brennan auditioned for a part in the Weekend Update after Colin Quinn left the show.[8]
- Nicole Byer auditioned in 2013 when the show was looking to add an African-American woman to the cast but lost to Sasheer Zamata.[9]
C
- Jim Carrey auditioned in 1980.[4][5][6][10][11] He went on to host the show three times in 1996, 2011 and 2014.[1][3] Lorne Michaels regrets not hiring Carrey.[2]
- Louis C.K. auditioned in 1993.[7] He went on to host the show four times.[4]
- Jennifer Coolidge auditioned in 1995.[3][6][10][8]
- Stephen Colbert auditioned in 1992.[3][4][5][6][11]
- David Cross auditioned in 1992.[3][4][7]
D
- Geena Davis auditioned in 1984 but lost the part to Pamela Stephenson.[3][7]
- Gabrielle Dennis auditioned in 2013 when the show was looking to add an African-American woman to the cast but lost to Sasheer Zamata.[9][12]
F
- Dave Foley auditioned in 1985.[3]
G
- Zach Galifianakis auditioned in 1999.[5][6][10][11] He was eventually hired to write for two episodes of the show's 25th season.[2] He also hosted the show three times in 2010, 2011 and 2013.[1][3]
- Jon Glaser auditioned in 1995.[8]
- Donald Glover auditioned twice for the show only to lose the part to Fred Armisen.[3] He eventually hosted the show in 2018.[1][4][6]
- John Goodman auditioned in 1980.[6][7][10] He later went on to host the show thirteen times.[1][2][3]
- Kathy Griffin auditioned in 1990 but lost the part to Julia Sweeney.[3][6][10]
H
- Tiffany Haddish auditioned in 2013 when the show was looking to add an African-American woman to the cast but lost to Sasheer Zamata.[9][12] She later hosted the show during the 43rd season.[13]
- Kevin Hart auditioned for a part in the show.[3][8][10][11] He went on to host the show several times since his failed audition.[1][2][5]
- Rob Huebel auditioned more than once during the mid-2000s.[3]
K
- Mindy Kaling failed her audition to join Saturday Night Live but was offered to write for the show, which she turned down.[1][2][6]
- Andy Kaufman auditioned for a spot on the original cast.[11]
- Mimi Kennedy was offered a part in the show in 1975, but Gilda Radner was worried that they were both too similar to each other.[7]
- Kerri Kenney-Silver auditioned in 1996.[3][6][10]
- Nick Kroll auditioned in 2008.[8]
- Lisa Kudrow auditioned in 1990.[3][7] She later hosted the show in 1996.[1][6][10]
M
- Marc Maron auditioned in 1995 in attempt to replace Norm Macdonald's spot in the Weekend Update.[2][3][4]
- Andrea Martin auditioned in 1984 but lost the part to Pamela Stephenson.[7]
- Jack McBrayer auditioned in 2001.[3][4]
- Bruce McCulloch auditioned in 1985.[3]
- Kevin McDonald auditioned in 1985.[3] He was offered a part in 1995 but he turned it down.[8]
- Adam McKay auditioned in 1995.[3][8]
- T.J. Miller auditioned in 2008.[2][8]
- Kel Mitchell auditioned in 2003 alongside former Kenan & Kel cast mate Kenan Thompson, who was hired.[3]
- John Mulaney auditioned in 2008. Instead, he was hired as a writer for the show during its 34th season, and later went on to host during seasons 43, 44, 45 and 46.[8]
N
- Kumail Nanjiani auditioned in 2012.[8] He would later host during the show's forty-third season.
P
- Jordan Peele auditioned to play the role of Barack Obama on the show only to lose it to Fred Armisen.[2][8]
- Aubrey Plaza auditioned in 2008.[10][8] Plaza also worked as an intern of the show three years prior.[1][2][3][6]
R
- Paul Reubens auditioned in 1980 only to lose the part to Gilbert Gottfried.[1][2][6] Reubens claims Gottfried was favored over him because he was friends with one of the producers of the show.[3][7]
- Mercedes Ruehl auditioned in 1980, but was passed over in favor of Denny Dillon.[14]
- John Roberts auditioned in 2008.[8]
- Jeff Ross auditioned in 2000 for a part in the Weekend Update after Colin Quinn left the show.[3][8]
- Amber Ruffin auditioned in 2013 when the show was looking to add an African-American woman to the cast but lost to Sasheer Zamata.[9] She would go on to be a writer for Late Night with Seth Meyers since the show's beginning in 2014.
S
- Akiva Schaffer auditioned in 2005.[3][8]
- Paul Scheer auditioned for the show twice in 2001 and 2002.[3][8]
- Amy Sedaris auditioned in 1995 in attempt to replace cast member Janeane Garofalo.[8]
T
- Jorma Taccone auditioned in 2005.[3][8]
- Scott Thompson auditioned in 1985.[3]
- Robert Townsend auditioned in 1980 only to lose the part to Eddie Murphy.[3][7]
W
- Bresha Webb auditioned in 2013 when the show was looking to add an African-American woman to the cast but lost to Sasheer Zamata.[9][12]
References
- Chang, Rachel (5 May 2020). "10 Famous Comedians Who Were Rejected by 'Saturday Night Live'". Biography.com. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- McCormick, Colin (12 February 2019). "Saturday Night Live: 14 Famous Actors Who Auditioned... And Didn't Get Cast". Screen Rant. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- Wood, Jennifer M. (4 December 2015). "31 Famous People Rejected by Saturday Night Live". Mental Floss. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- Meisfjord, Tom (23 May 2018). "ACTORS TURNED DOWN BY SNL WHO ARE NOW HUGE STARS". Grunge.com. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- DeSantis, Rachel (3 October 2016). "Saturday Night Live: See the auditions that didn't make the cut". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- Renae, Kirstie (22 July 2020). "14 celebrities who got rejected by 'Saturday Night Live' and went on to become famous in their own right". Insider.com. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- Evans, Bradford (18 April 2013). "The Lost 'SNL' Cast Members: Part 1 (1975-1995)". Vulture.com. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
- Evans, Bradford (25 April 2013). "The Lost 'SNL' Cast Members: Part 2 (1995-Now)". Vulture.com. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
- @gabrielledennis (2 December 2013). "With my girls @Breshawebb @simoneshepherd @TiffanyHaddish & other funny ladies I got to meet at our #SNL showcase :)" (Tweet). Retrieved 2020-09-28 – via Twitter.
- Renae, Kirstie (8 October 2019). "14 celebrities who got rejected by 'Saturday Night Live' and went on to become famous in their own right". Business Insider. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
- "Auditions - SNL 40th Anniversary Special". YouTube. 16 February 2015. Retrieved 16 September 2020.
- thejasminebrand (11 December 2013). "[EXCLUSIVE] Actress Bresha Webb Talks About SNL's Black Women Showcase Audition: We were all honored".
- Gibbs, Adrienne (November 11, 2017). "'Girls Trip' Breakout Star Tiffany Haddish Making History Hosting 'SNL'; Taylor Swift Performing". Forbes.
- "Andy Hoglund-Vulture interview - August 2020", Vulture.com, accessed August 13, 2020
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