Kenan Thompson: The First SNL Cast Member Born After the Show’s Debut

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As Saturday Night Live marks its 50th anniversary on television in 2025, this classic comedy sketch show is experiencing a surge in media attention. With Peacock premiering an SNL docuseries titled “SNL 50: Beyond Saturday Night” and Jason Reitman’s critically-acclaimed movie, “Saturday Night,” the beloved NBC program has been receiving numerous accolades. In terms of legacy, it’s challenging to surpass the remarkable feats accomplished by the longest-serving cast member, Kenan Thompson.

With just two episodes left in January 2025 as SNL‘s 50th season draws to a close, it’s an ideal moment to look back at the remarkable journey of cast member Thompson. Not only is he the longest-serving cast member preparing to step down in 2025, but he also carved out history as the first cast member born after the show debuted in 1975. To celebrate his departure, a comprehensive overview of Thompson’s time on SNL seems fitting.

Who Is Kenan Thompson?

Hailing from May 10, 1978, Kenan Thompson is a versatile American actor and comedian who kick-started his on-screen journey as a teenager. Making his first appearance in D2: The Mighty Ducks and sharing the limelight with Kel Mitchell in the underestimated comedy Heavyweights, Thompson embarked on his Nickelodeon television journey in 1996. He starred alongside Kel Mitchell in the successful buddy sitcom Kenan & Kel, which ran for four seasons and produced 62 episodes. This popular series led to a spin-off movie titled Good Burger in 1997.

During his time on “Kenan & Kel” and over 80 episodes of “All That”, Thompson honed his comedic skills and character creation abilities. By the time he joined SNL in 2003, he was well-prepared to transition effortlessly to one of America’s premier sketch comedy series. Unbeknownst to him, this move would make him the longest-serving SNS cast member and the first born after the show began airing in 1975.

Kenan Thompson’s ‘SNL’ History

In 2003, during the inaugural episode of the 29th season, Thompson first appeared on Saturday Night Live. Following his debut as a featured cast member, he advanced to a regular role in the series two years later and has remained a prominent figure since then. Some of Thompson’s most iconic impressions from early in his career include mocking Bill Cosby, Gary Coleman, Serena Williams, Sammy Sosa, Ray Lewis, Al Sharpton, and other well-known figures from popular culture.

In 2019, Thompson shared with Vanity Fair his early beginnings on SNL. He mentioned that he sent audition tapes to Lorne Michaels two years following his success on Nickelodeon, but was informed he seemed too young to be cast at the time. Eventually, when Thompson turned 25 in 2003, he secured an audition, as he recounted in Vanity Fair.

Initially, I found myself creating sound effects and simulating a conversation between Al Sharpton and Arnold Schwarzenegger for an unexpected reason. I found it amusing, however, the lack of setup left everyone rather perplexed.

Regardless of an uneasy audition, Thompson was chosen and embarked on his groundbreaking journey. Throughout his remarkable 22-season stint on SNL, Thompson has secured six Primetime Emmy Award nominations, with a 2018 victory being one of them, for the song “Come Back, Barack” in the category of Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics.

Thompson Became the Longest-Running Cast Member

Approximately a year prior, in the year 2017, Thompson surpassed Darrell Hammond’s 14-season stint as an alum of Saturday Night Live. It wasn’t until 2017 that he set this record, and at that time, Thompson was unsure when his tenure on SNL would come to an end. In the year 2023, looking back on it all, Thompson shared with Fatherly:

I believe you can remain as long as you are welcome, and if you don’t feel like you’re progressing in any aspect, it might be a strong hint that I need something new. At that point, it will likely be obvious that it’s time for me to move on. Ideally, they won’t ask me to leave.

Thompson is widely recognized for his significant roles in comedy, particularly for hosting “Black Jeopardy” and portraying Darnell Hayes, a caricature of Alex Trebek. With over 1,500 sketches under his belt, some of Thompson’s most iconic characters and impressions include Elliot Pants, Scary Gary Loomis, Steve Kane, Jean K. Jean, Charles Barkley, O.J. Simpson, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Harvey, David Ortiz, and many more.

Being the initial Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member born after the show began in 1975 and holding the longest tenure since then, Thompson has earned a unique recognition for connecting the first era with the subsequent one. His ability to stay current, redefine his humor, and consistently provide laughter showcases Thompson’s exceptional talents. Upon wrapping up an unprecedented 22nd season on SNL in 2025, it’s high time for Thompson to display his skills elsewhere.

What’s Next for Kenan Thompson?

In the year 2021, Kenan Thompson went back to his origins of ’90s sitcoms with the self-titled show “Kenan,” which ran for two seasons and ended after 20 episodes in 2022. The following year, in 2023, he took on roles in the YouTube web series “Lil Interns”, the movie sequel to “Good Burger” called “Good Burger 2”, and published a book titled “When I Was Your Age”. With only two more episodes of “Saturday Night Live” left in January 2025, Kenan Thompson is eagerly anticipating at least two upcoming projects that are currently in development.

In an uncertain state for Lil Interns, Thompson is set to lend his voice to two upcoming animated projects: Pierre the Pigeon Hawk and the yet-to-be-titled Lani Pixels Project. Simultaneously, Thompson has ventured into production work, with Kenan, Good Burger 2, and more recently Crossword in 2024 on his slate.

Discussing his bittersweet exit, Thompson tells the Thanks Dad podcast (as reported by Deadline):

Over a prolonged period, you’ve seen many individuals enter and exit. Consequently, you experience the dissolution of friendships, which can be quite emotional. Missing the absence of specific individuals is also part of it, making it a mix of sweet and bitter feelings.

On January 25, 2025, Kenan Thompson’s last Saturday Night Live (SNL) episode will be aired. You can catch up with SNL episodes on the streaming platform, Peacock.

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2025-01-20 02:32