1. Kayla Engeman
12 Celebrities Who Were Rejected by Saturday Night Live
Imagine, you’ve worked for years and years doing stand up gigs in the basements of bars, free
improv shows underneath restaurants, and finally Lorne Michaels, the legendary creator and
executive producer of Saturday Night Live, calls you in to audition. This opportunity seems like
it could mean everything: an express ticket to fame! Here’s a list that gives a little hope and
inspiration for anyone who’s ever been passed up before: these are Twelve Celebrities Who
Were Rejected by Saturday Night Live.
Numbers Twelve and Eleven: Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer.
You may recognize these names as two-thirds of the comedy group “The Lonely Island.” Jorma
Taccone, Akiva Schaffer, and Andy Samberg were three best friends who grew up together and
moved to Los Angeles after college. They called themselves “The Lonely Island” and began
making short films. Eventually, they landed a gig writing for the 2005 MTV Movie Awards and
won the attention of the host and SNL superstar, Jimmy Fallon. Lorne Michaels took Fallon’s
endorsement to heart and invited all of “The Lonely Island” to audition. While only Samberg
was cast, Taccone and Schaffer were hired as writers. In the end it didn’t make too much of a
difference as the trio went on to create and star in more silly videos to air on the legendary
variety show. With SNL popularity, they also produced three musical comedy albums and an
original film entitled “Hot Rod.” “The Lonely Island” doesn’t sound so lonely anymore!
Number Ten: Aubrey Plaza.
What? Aubrey Plaza auditioned for SNL? Didn’t she get her start on “Parks and Rec?” I was so
deceived! Aubrey Plaza had been gunning for a spot on the SNL cast ever since she started
taking comedy improvisation classes in high school. She even had an internship at SNL in 2005!
In 2008, her improv chops landed her an audition, but it didn’t turn out the way she hoped. All
was well after Judd Apatow put her in his film “Funny People” when Plaza went back to
barreling for success, even if she wasn’t SNL bound.
Number Nine: Jack McBrayer.
In the early 2000s (finally, we’re not talking about the 90s anymore), Jack McBrayer and a
current late night talk show host were performing improv comedy together at Second City in
Chicago. Lorne Michaels called them both in to audition, but gave Seth Meyers the spot.
Michaels didn’t forget McBrayer however, and offered him a role on Tina Fey’s project, “30
Rock.” This role lent itself to many Emmy nominations for McBrayer, and even another sitcom,
called “The Jack and Triumph Show.”
Number Eight: David Cross.
Before he was chronically blue-ing himself, David Cross was starting his own comedy group in
Boston. This group, called Cross Comedy, started getting attention in the early 1990s and landed
themselves an audition for Lorne Michaels. Turns out they totally bombed it. Despite the death
of his SNL pipe dream, Cross has made a name for himself. You may recognize him as Tobias
from “Arrested Development” or from his new sketch comedy show, “W/Bob and David” co-
starring Bob Odenkirk. Oddly enough, Odenkirk was a writer for SNL at the time Cross
auditioned, but he quit! Maybe SNL isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

2. Number Seven: John Goodman.
In 1980, John Goodman was sought out by Lorne Michaels to audition for one precious spot on
the SNL cast. Unfortunately (or so he thought) Goodman was passed over. Little did he know he
would end up hosting the show thirteen times! Seems like he got the best of both worlds.
Number Six: Steve Carrell.
In 1995 Steve Carrell had it all: he had just married the woman of his dreams and he had an
audition for SNL. The catch? He was competing for a slot against the woman of his dreams, and
new wife, Nancy Walls. He was also running against a soon-to-be legendary SNL alum, Will
Ferrell. We know how this story ended. While Walls and Ferrell made it onto the cast, Carrell
did not, but went on to star in several films (including one where he played a newscaster who
screamed “CACA POO POO!”). Last year he was even nominated for an Oscar! Not too shabby,
Steve! It doesn’t hurt that he also got to host the show that passed him up. Twice.
Number Five: Kevin Hart.
Kevin Hart attributes his audition failure to a bad impression. He chose to imitate Avery
Johnson, a point guard for the San Antonio Spurs – too bad no one, including Lorne Michaels,
really knew who Avery Johnson was except for die-hard basketball fans. Could it be if Hart had
performed different material he would’ve been casted? Everything turned out better than okay
for Hart despite his terrible audition -- he has won dozens of prestigious awards for his comedic
work, including the MTV Comic Genius award in 2015 and NAACP Image Award for
Entertainer of the Year in 2014.
Number Four: Louis CK.
Twenty-two years ago Louis CK, one of the most successful and esteemed comedians of today,
had an audition for SNL that he felt was his last chance at fame. He auditioned alongside Sarah
Silverman, Dave Attell, and Laura Kightlinger, all of which made it onto the cast except for CK.
Now that’s a rejection. Not all was lost, though. Someone liked his audition so much that CK
was then invited to write for “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” and now twenty years later he
has won five Emmys for his latest project “Louis.” Take that, SNL.
Number Three: Jim Carrey.
Poor Jim Carrey. This legendary comedian seemed to be at the right place, but at the wrong time.
In 1980, Lorne Michaels left Saturday Night Live just as Carrey was brought on to audition. To
replace Michaels, a man named Jean Doumanian was brought on and gave Carrey the big thumbs
down. Right before Michaels returned to SNL, Carrey auditioned again for Doumanian. How do
you feel now, Jean, knowing that you passed on one of the best comedians of our time? Oh, and
not only did host SNL a few times, he even starred in the fortieth anniversary special.
Number Two: Lisa Kudrow.
In 1990, Lorne Michaels went to Los Angeles to see two actresses perform at esteemed comedy
improvisation theater, “The Groundlings.” Knowing Michaels was looking for one more female
to cast for the season, Lisa Kudrow got so nervous during that performance that she totally blew
it. After she didn’t get the SNL gig, the universe whispered in Kudrow’s ear, “I’ll be there for

3. you!” A few months later she landed the role of Phoebe Buffay on the historical sitcom
“Friends.” That ought to have softened the blow a bit!
Number One: Stephen Colbert.
Stephen Colbert was one of the rising stars of Chicago’s comedy theater “Second City” back in
the early 90s. In 1992, he was asked to audition for SNL but was passed over, of course. From
there his success pivoted. He went on to perform in “The Dana Carvey Show,” and “The Daily
Show with Jon Stewart.” Onward he went again to host “The Colbert Report” and finally he hit
the jackpot: hosting CBS’s “The Late Show.” It sounds like SNL almost would have been a
distraction, almost a detour on his path to becoming so much more than “that guy who was on
SNL back in the 90s.” Stephen Colbert is a name to be heard for years and years to come.
With the accomplishments of these originally “benched” players, I’m starting to think everything
happens for a reason. If you ever get down about something not happening your way, just picture
Colbert, hosting his own talk show, or Steve Carrell winning a Golden Globe. I’ll let you off the
hook a bit more and let you apply this thinking to any rejection! Perhaps your dream guy
dumped you because Chris Hemsworth is your true soulmate. I hope you’ve enjoyed 12
Celebrities Rejected by SNL.