Taran Killam Recalls Being Told to Stop Saying to ‘SNL’ Hosts He Starred in ‘12 Years a Slave’

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Taran Killam, who graced the screen in the Academy Award-winning movie “12 Years a Slave“, didn’t feel compelled to boast about it to everyone.

A former Saturday Night Live cast member recently revealed on the Fly on the Wall podcast hosted by Dana Carvey and David Spade that Lorne Michaels, the creator of SNL, had made a comment about Killam frequently bringing up his role in the 2013 film during appearances by guest hosts.

In an admission of his struggles, Killam confessed that he found it difficult to excel at pitching during SNL sketches. To connect with the show hosts on a personal level, he often shared his achievement of starring in the critically acclaimed movie “12 Years a Slave,” which received three Academy Awards, including the prestigious award for Best Picture.

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To overcome his challenges with SNL sketches, Killam would bond with hosts by discussing his notable role in the Oscar-winning film “12 Years a Slave,” which clinched awards such as Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Killam recounted, ‘For nearly an entire season, I’d propose ideas to the host. I’d say something like, ‘Given you’re in a film with a plane, this could work really well, and let’s play pilots because, as I discovered during my time on 12 Years a Slave, the process that was most rewarding…’ And then I’d get quite introspective.’

Initially, the talented performer found some humor in his act, but later on, he admitted it was poor. In fact, SNL writer Bryan Tucker once cautioned him against repeating this act, mentioning that Lorne had expressed similar concerns.

12 Years a Slave, helmed by Steve McQueen, unfolds in the pre-Civil War era United States, recounting the story of Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York who is wrongfully captured and forced into slavery. Brian Kilam portrays Abram Hamilton, one of the two individuals responsible for this kidnapping.

Killam was also a cast member on SNL from 2010 to 2016.

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2025-05-16 00:25