Cool Dad Job: SNL Lifer

Latest Cool Dad Achievement: Being the rock of SNL

During a recent episode of SNL recorded during the lockdown, Kenan Thompson played a beleaguered pastor out of his depth on Zoom. It was a pretty predictable gag, but Thompson brought his whole being to it, squeezing genuine laughs from the basic idea. This is something he does with almost alarming ease. Thompson is SNL’s elder statesman, having been there since 2003. The crazy thing is that it’s not even reflective of how long Thompson has been crushing sketches. He was an original cast member of All That, Nickelodeon’s “SNL For kids” and then Kenan & Kel, Nickelodeon’s “SNL for Tweens.” His commitment to character work has truly spanned his whole life (Pierre Escargot in the bathtub, anyone?). And when he’s not performing, he’s raising two adorable daughters with his wife Christina Evangeline. He makes them laugh too.