Kenan Thompson has been one of Saturday Night Live’s most popular cast members since 2003. Thompson rose to prominence in the world of humor despite the fact that SNL has been the face of American comedy for decades. Among other things, he is well-known for his celebrity impersonation of persons ranging from Bill Cosby to Steve Harvey.
Kenan Thompson has been chosen as the host, and many of the SNL characters are expected to appear on the big night. The 74th Primetime Emmy Awards will be held and broadcast live on September 12, 2022. Succession, Ted Lasso, and The White Lotus have got the most Emmy nominations this year, with Euphoria and Squid Game also on the list.
What you should know about Kenan Thompson, the SNL star
1) Thompson had a tough childhood.
Kenan Thompson was one of the celebrities who started training as a performer at an early age. He is said to have started acting training when he was five years old. Thompson, on the other hand, did not come by his accomplishments easily.
Kenan Thompson grew up in a low-income household that struggled to make ends meet. Thompson saw his mother working exceedingly hard to feed him and his two brothers throughout his childhood and adolescence. Nonetheless, his mother was always supportive of his acting profession and urged him to pursue acting training. One of his first assignments was on CNN’s Real News for Kids. Since then, he has evolved into a pop-culture phenomenon and has even altered the American comedy landscape.
2) He is the longest-serving cast member of Saturday Night Live.
Kenan Thompson is the first SNL cast member born after the show’s debut in 1975. This demonstrated the endurance of SNL as a program. He originally appeared on the program in 2003 and has previously said that he submitted multiple audition videos only to be rejected prior to 2003. Thompson was a big admirer of the program, and being cast on it was a great step forward in his comic career.
Thompson’s prominence on SNL stems from his status as the show’s longest-serving cast member. He has now been on the program for 19 years, shattering all prior records. His longevity may also be attributed to the variety of his humorous talents. Thompson has perfected everything from celebrity impressions to sketch comedy throughout the years.
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3) Nickelodeon shows and other initiatives
Kenan Thompson’s first significant role was Kenan Rockmore on the Nickelodeon sitcom Kenan & Kel, which ran from 1996 to 2000. He was working on Kenan & Kel while also appearing on All That.
Thompson was a hustler even in his early days, often working on many projects. He has collaborated with his co-star Kel Mitchell outside of Kenan & Kel.
Thompson has also appeared in a number of films, however, this is not well recognized. He appeared in the comedy film Good Burger in 1997 and voiced the animated character Gus in Wonder Park. Thompson, as an actor, has always gravitated toward the comic genre. After hosting the second season of Oh Yeah!, he moved on to create a career in hosting. Cartoons.
4) He appeared in a fried chicken restaurant ad.
Kenan Thompson’s first job was to appear in a commercial for a fried chicken restaurant. He opted to appear in a fried chicken commercial for money when he was just 12 years old. Thompson was ecstatic with his first concert, which he reportedly never saw since it never aired in Atlanta. Because the restaurant was not in Atlanta, the advertising was shown in all nearby states.
Thompson did not witness his first piece of work as a performer, but he is still happy with what he accomplished. Thompson’s decision to perform a commercial at the age of twelve demonstrates the wealth of expertise he has accumulated in the entertainment industry over the years.
5) He refused to portray a black lady for a while until SNL recruited a woman of color.
In 2013, there was a lengthy issue about Kenan Thompson and SNL’s connection with black women. Thompson was already well-known for dressing up as a lady and mimicking other characters on the program at the time. Thompson, along with Jay Pharaoh and Nasim Pedrad, was one of the show’s few black actors.
Thompson has voiced his aversion to portraying female roles in 2013 and the necessity for the program to hire more female comics of color. He did, however, encounter some pushback for his belief that female comedians who are currently on the scene aren’t nearly up to par. His move was also hailed with worldwide acclaim for standing firm and seeking representation.
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