Leaving 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL) was a complex journey for Maya Rudolph, but it set the stage for a transformative career that spanned voice acting, film, and television.
- May 24, 2024
AceShowbiz - Leaving a job can be disorienting under the best of circumstances. That was certainly the case for Maya Rudolph when she departed from Saturday Night Live" (SNL) in 2007. In The Hollywood Reporter's Comedy Actress Roundtable, Rudolph confessed she thought she'd be on the iconic show "forever" and didn't know how to navigate her exit. "I didn't know how to navigate getting out," Rudolph revealed.
Despite the initial challenges, she recognized that SNL provided a foundational experience that profoundly impacted her career. "You're learning comedy combat, and you can take that with you anywhere," she said.
Rudolph described her time on the show as the most transformative period of her professional life. "First, I was going to say SNL [was the most transformative period], but like, 'Duh.' Then I was going to say post-SNL. Then I was going to say Bridesmaids," she admitted, attributing the pivotal moment post-daughter's birth as when she gave "no more f***s."
Rudolph was joined on the panel by fellow comediennes Ego Nwodim, Quinta Brunson, Michelle Buteau, Kristen Wiig, and Renee Elise Goldsberry. Goldsberry, 53, drew comparisons between former female "SNL" cast members, likening them to a sorority with shared experiences. "Accepting and affirming" to other women in comedy, the group supports one another in their post-"SNL" careers.
"I think it's because we're trained to be underdogs," Rudolph reasoned. "The beautiful movie star comes in and sprinkles us and says, 'Hey!' Then, they leave. It's the nature of the show, the not-ready-for-primetime players. You have this vibe of, ‘I'm nothing, I'll make you look good.'"
After her tenure at SNL, Rudolph carved out a robust career in film and television. She voiced characters in beloved animations such as "Big Hero 6" and "Luca", and starred in movies like "Bridesmaids" and "Wine Country".
Currently, she shines in and executive produces the Apple TV+ show "Loot". However, she hasn't entirely parted ways with "SNL", returning to host in 2012, 2021, and most recently in early 2024.
In her most recent hosting gig, Rudolph humorously suggested she had stayed at Studio 8H since 2007, revealing the sentiment with comedian flair. "I've been in here since 2007. I never left. Why would I leave? I have everything I need here. My books, my porridge. And my dear friend Kenny," she quipped, gesturing to a mop with googly eyes.
Her episode featured a musical performance by Vampire Weekend and a campy Mother's Day rap, complementing her usual comedic genius. She also reprised her famous Beyoncé impression in a skit, solidifying why she remains a fan-favorite returning host.
Maya Rudolph's journey post-SNL is a testament to her versatility and indomitable spirit in the world of comedy and entertainment.
