Episode 793 - Kevin Nealon

SNL Journey

Kevin Nealon's journey to becoming a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" was filled with unexpected twists and turns. Initially, he never imagined being considered for the show, but a call from Dana Carvey changed everything. Kevin recalls being flown to New York for an audition, thinking it was just a free trip, only to find himself meeting with Lorne Michaels, who offered him a job on SNL 1.

I flew back to LA thinking, I'll never hear back. And next thing I know, I'm meeting with Lorne Michaels at some high rise in Century City.

--- Kevin Nealon

His tenure on the show lasted eight years, a period he describes as an interesting run, filled with memorable characters and sketches 2.

   

Acting Transition

Transitioning from stand-up comedy to acting, Kevin Nealon found himself in various roles post-SNL. He recalls the awkwardness of auditions, including one where an agent was more interested in his new gadget than Kevin's performance 3. Despite these challenges, Kevin continued to work in the industry, creating shows like "Stays in Vegas" and "The Pleaser," although they didn't make it to network television 4.

It's horrible going into those things. I remember one guy, I was reading lines. He started laughing. He got into a laughing fit.

--- Kevin Nealon

His persistence paid off with roles in shows like "Weeds" and "Man with a Plan," showcasing his versatility as an actor.