Top 10 Celebs Who Turned Down Being On SNL

With major roles in the “Pirates of the Caribbean” and “The Lord of the Rings” franchises, Orlando Bloom was a hot commodity in Hollywood in the 2000s. In 2007, while promoting the third film in the “Pirates” series, he was offered the opportunity to host “Saturday Night Live” but declined. At the time, the actor felt particularly insecure and cited this as his reason for turning down the hosting gig. Also, as “SNL” requires hosts and cast members to read lines off cue cards, Bloom noted that this would have been challenging for him, given his dyslexia. However, he has since gained a broader perspective on life and would jump on the Studio 8H stage in a heartbeat.

Eddie Murphy remains one of the greatest stars to ever come from “SNL”. But many do not know that he only secured a spot on the show because another comedian turned down the opportunity. That comedian was Charlie Barnett. Through the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Barnett gained a reputation in New York City for his raunchy street performances. He auditioned for “SNL” in 1980 and impressed the producers, but due to insecurities about his reading skills, Barnett chose not to attend the follow-up read-through. Consequently, his spot was given to Murphy, which initially sparked resentment from Barnett. Nevertheless, he went on to carve out a successful career in film and TV before his untimely demise in 1996.

Today, Bonnie Hunt is known for her roles in films like “Jumanji” and “Cheaper by the Dozen,” as well as her voice performance in the “Cars” franchise. In the early ‘90s, Hunt’s impressive work in the renowned improv troupe Second City caught the attention of “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels. She was offered a position on the show but rejected it due to concerns that it would restrict her preferred improvisational style. Hunt also noted the gender imbalance on the show at the time, highlighting a disparity in the subsequent career trajectories of female cast members compared to their male counterparts. She would go on to forge her own path, eventually hosting her own syndicated variety talk show.

For most performers, getting on “SNL” is a prospect they can only dream about. But for Ben Stiller, that dream became reality when he landed a part on the show in 1989 after his short films captured the attention of Lorne Michaels. However, after appearing in only four episodes, Stiller chose to leave. His decision stemmed from the realization that live performances weren’t his strongest suit, given his tendency to get very nervous. Also, he wanted to continue making short films, but wasn’t allowed to do so on the show. Following his departure, he created the sketch series “The Ben Stiller Show,” which was canceled after just one season, but set the stage for his remarkable career.

Mindy Kaling is perhaps best known for her role as Kelly Kapoor on “The Office”. The show launched Kaling into Hollywood stardom and paved the way for her to create several other series. However, Kaling’s career could have taken an entirely different direction. According to the entertainer, she was offered a chance to audition for “SNL” halfway through the second season of “The Office”. Following her audition, she was offered a job as a writer with the potential to eventually become a cast member. Although starring on “SNL” was her childhood dream, Kaling turned down the offer, choosing to remain on “The Office”. Even she acknowledges the significant impact that decision could’ve had on her career trajectory.

Although it later became a major hit, Johnny Knoxville and his crew faced an uphill battle bringing “Jackass” to the screen. Despite initial challenges pitching the show to various networks, they eventually secured a deal with MTV. While filming the pilot, “SNL” producers caught wind of the concept and offered Knoxville an opportunity to create five-minute stunt segments for the show. However, Knoxville declined their offer. It was a huge gamble, but luckily it paid off in the end. It’s amusing to think that there is a parallel universe where “Jackass” was never made. Thankfully, we’re not living in it.

In 1995, Janeane Garofalo decided to leave “SNL” after only six months as a cast member. This departure left a gap in the show that Lorne Michaels needed to fill. Seeking another young, edgy female comic, Michaels turned to Amy Sedaris and offered her a spot. Sedaris had cut her teeth at Chicago’s Second City and was gaining traction in New York, performing in an experimental off-off-broadway show called “One Woman Shoe”. However, the comedian was already fulfilled with the experience of working on her own show, so she declined the opportunity. Later that year, she began starring in the Comedy Central sketch series “Exit 57,” marking the beginning of her successful comedy career.

Legendary Canadian actor and comedian John Candy got his start as a member of Second City in Toronto. The Canadian branch would launch the careers of future “SNL” stars such as Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner and Martin Short. In 1980, Candy was poised to join their ranks. Amid the shake-up at the NBC series that year, producer Dick Ebersol sought to entice Candy, already a star on the Toronto-based “SCTV” sketch show, over to “SNL”. Preferring not to be embroiled in a tug of war between both shows, the comedian turned down the offer and remained at “SCTV”. Nevertheless, there was no love lost, as Candy went on to host “SNL” in 1983.

Much like John Candy, Catherine O’Hara began her comedy journey at Toronto’s Second City troupe, and eventually became a cast member on “SCTV”. In the early ‘80s, while the future of the sketch series hung in the balance, O’Hara secured a position on the sixth season of “SNL”. The actress had already taken headshots and begun rehearsing sketches, but she never quite fit in there. As luck would have it, “SCTV” was renewed for another season with NBC and O’Hara was invited by the producers to return. After a brief two-week stint as an “SNL” cast member, O’Hara quit the show before the season even began and went back to “SCTV”.

Around the same time she landed her breakthrough role as Rachel Green on“Friends,” Jennifer Aniston was presented with another significant opportunity: a spot as a cast member on “SNL”. However, the actress opted for “Friends” over “SNL” due to her concerns about the perceived mistreatment of the female cast members and the show’s “boy’s club” atmosphere. At the time, this seemed like a ridiculous decision, seeing as “Friends” had not yet premiered, so there was no way of knowing how successful it was going to be. Needless to say, her choice paid off, as the show exceeded expectations, becoming a ratings and cultural giant, and earning Aniston an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy.

What other celebrities do you know of that were not ready for primetime? Let us know in the comments.