Despite the physical resemblance, the 'Only Murders in the Building' star turns down Lorne Michaels' offer to play Kamala Harris' running mate on 'Saturday Night Live'.
- Aug 8, 2024
AceShowbiz - Social media erupted with suggestions of Steve Martin playing Tim Walz on "Saturday Night Live" after Kamala Harris announced Walz as her vice presidential running mate. Martin shared in the excitement, joking about Walz wanting to tour with Marty Short. However, Lorne Michaels reached out with an offer, which Martin respectfully declined.
Martin explained that his decision stemmed from his belief that a seasoned impressionist was necessary to effectively portray Walz. "I'm not an impressionist," Martin told the Los Angeles Times. "You need someone who can really nail the guy."
The ongoing nature of the role also factored into Martin's decision. "It's ongoing," he said. "They need a real impressionist to do that. They're gonna find somebody really, really good."
Martin, who has hosted "SNL" 16 times but never officially joined the cast, admitted that he would have faced challenges in the role. "I'd be struggling," he acknowledged.
Despite Martin's absence, Maya Rudolph will return as Vice President Kamala Harris on "SNL". Her commitment to the role is evident, as she has postponed filming for the comedy series "Loot" to accommodate the election season.
Martin's decision leaves the door open for other potential contenders to play Walz. Social media has floated names like Jim O'Heir, John Goodman, Jim Gaffigan and Danny DeVito. Lorne Michaels has yet to announce who will fill the role.
