Before becoming the iconic Wayne Campbell on 'Saturday Night Live', Mike Myers faced anxiety and found inspiration in fellow cast members and an unlikely performance.
- December 31, 2024
AceShowbiz - Mike Myers, the "Saturday Night Live" legend, initially felt intimidated by the show's talented cast when he joined. "I was scared shitless," he admitted on Vulture's "Good One" podcast. He admired the likes of Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, Kevin Nealon, and Jan Hooks.
Myers' Wayne Campbell character, which rose to prominence on "SNL", had humble beginnings at Chicago's Second City. Myers recalled a standout performance where he "came from the audience" and received raucous applause. "It was a jet taking off," he said.
Just two weeks later, Myers received a fateful call from Lorne Michaels. Despite never having watched "SNL" due to technical limitations, Myers had captured Michaels' attention with his Wayne Campbell character.
Myers acknowledged that his lack of familiarity with the show was due to the timing conflict between "SNL" and his beloved Toronto Maple Leafs hockey games. As he put it, "I could only tape one thing. And of course, I watched the Toronto Maple Leafs."
