Kenan Thompson Reveals the Fan-Favorite Actor He Always Auditioned Against

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2025 TV plans and the upcoming 50th season of Saturday Night Live have everyone talking about history. Meanwhile, as mainstay cast member Kenan Thompson and his team move forward, it’s equally intriguing to reflect on the past.

This brings us to the tale of how an actor from one of the top movies of the 2000s often auditioned for roles opposite Kenan Thompson, who is famous for shows like “All That” and “Kenan & Kel.” However, this wasn’t a situation that upset Mr. Thompson; instead, he found it intriguing enough to mention during his interview on the podcast “People in the ’90s,” as he recognized a recurring pattern.

As far as I’m concerned, I’ve often found myself battling against the established TV and movie staples, much like Kenan Thompson has detailed in his own narrative.

I’d often find Anthony Anderson’s name among the candidates. Regardless if I saw him at actual auditions or not, he was consistently considered a strong contender. Our paths seemed to cross frequently for character discussions, likely in numerous projects during the ’90s.

In the ’90s, this decade proved incredibly generous for both Kenan Thompson and Anthony Anderson. While I was carving out my own niche with “D2: The Mighty Ducks” and moving onto Nickelodeon gigs, Anderson was making a name for himself by appearing on “NYPD Blue” and starring in films like “Liberty Heights.

In an interesting twist, both Anthony Anderson and Kal Penn made significant impacts on fast-food themed movies, starring in “Good Burger” and “Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle” respectively. Despite their roles being quite distinct from each other, only Anderson’s character hinted at the possibility of setting fire to his restaurant.

Among Anderson’s projects, one stands out as a particular career milestone for Kenan Thompson, and if you were speculating it was the 2005 film “The Departed“, you’d be spot on. Here’s how Thompson shared his feelings about this role through a story:

It’s clear that the film significantly boosted his acting career. Prior to that, he was often cast as the Barbershop guy and source of comic relief. However, The Departed marked a turning point, as it showcased him in a Martin Scorsese production. Shortly afterwards, he landed a role on Law & Order. I hold him in high regard; he’s like a brother to me.

It’s likely that Anthony Anderson highly values one of Kenan Thompson’s performances on Saturday Night Live (SNL), given Heidi Gardner’s praise for a recent sketch with him as exceptional, and the distinctive manner in which SNL scripts are written for Kenan, reflecting trust and flattery.

As a devoted fan, I’ve long been eagerly waiting for the day when Thompson and Anderson grace our screens together in some remarkable collaboration. Their collective industry wisdom and extraordinary acting abilities promise an unforgettable cinematic experience. Remarkably, it seems they wouldn’t even need to audition for a role tailored specifically for them.

You can find Kenan Thompson’s latest performances on Saturday Night Live’s 50th season, along with Anthony Anderson’s seasons on Law & Order, all in one spot! If you have a Peacock subscription, you can easily watch the recent works of both these talented individuals.

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2025-01-28 17:37