These are the most successful comedians that Lorne Michaels didn't include. From Jim Carrey, to a huge Friends star, to a writer/actor from The Office.

Saturday Night Live is a haven for some of the most funny people in television. It's also a dream job to many up and coming comedians.

It can be difficult to land a coveted position as a featured actor. It takes a lot of work to land a spot as a featured player.

While many famous comedians have graced the SNL stage in the past, some of the most funny people are often left out. They still find their way in the industry, even if the show didn't give them their first break.

Check out the stars who didn't make it to the list...

1. Kevin Hart

Kevin Hart says that his first audition for "SNL" was a complete disaster. Kevin Hart's first mistake was to choose to do an Avery Johnson impression, which he admits that "nobody" knew.

"I remember Lorne looking at me and saying, 'Mmhmm. He didn't explicitly say that he didn’t know, but it was clear to me that he did not. I said, "I'm going to pass the ball on to David Robinson." That was all. Kevin told "Conan" that was his impression, adding that he did not get a phone call.

2. Jim Carrey

Lorne Lorne was not present when Jim Carrey auditioned in 1980 for "SNL". He was actually rejected earlier by a staff member who felt he didn't fit in.

Lorne said to THR that "there were many people you could see were brilliant, but you just knew it wouldn't work." "I was not at the Jim Carrey Audition, but someone who was there told me, 'I do not think Lorne will like it.' They were probably wrong but it does matter. Who knows, they might have been right. "No one is right all the time."

3. Aubrey Plaza

Aubrey Plaza had a dream to be a cast member of "SNL". In 2004, Aubrey Plaza secured an internship at the design department of the show in hopes that she would be cast. She didn't get past the first audition round.

Aubrey joked on "The Tonight Show" that instead of "lurking" in the shadows and "watching the talent" like "a creepy specter", she spent her time during her internship "stalking" the talent.

4. Jennifer Coolidge

Jennifer Coolidge, a member in the improv group The Groundlings at the time, was invited to audition for 'SNL' in 1995. She flew with her fellow Groundlings -- Will Ferrell Chris Kattan and Cheri Oteri - from LA to New York in order to showcase their comedic talents. Sadly, while it went well for her fellow Groundlings members, she did not make the cut.

"They called Chris six months after choosing Will and Cheri, but not Chris and me." Jennifer told LA Mag that she was the one rejected. "I was spared from a bullet." I am thinking of the demons and politics. It was a good thing that I could have become anorexic. "But I would have probably self-destructed if I had appeared on SNL."

5. Donald Glover

Donald Glover hosted "SNL' in 2018 but he auditioned two times before and did not make it. Donald Glover says that he was told by Amy Poehler that his stand-up act "lacked a perspective." He says it doesn't matter because his career could have been different.

I dodged many bullets. "Me being on 'SNL,' would have killed me," he said to GQ. "I had friends who were successful on 'SNL,' and I thought, "damn." "But if I had gotten on 'SNL', my career would not have happened."

6. Adam Devine

Lorne didn't like Adam Devine when he auditioned for a "SNL". Adam revealed during a stand-up performance that he had done a poor impersonation of Paul McCartney. Lorne is a huge Beatles fan.

7. Lisa Kudrow

Lorne was inspired to fly to Los Angeles after a former "SNL' cast member recommended Lisa Kudrow. Lorne had seen her perform in Los Angeles when she was part of the improv group The Groundlings. Lorne said Lisa Kudrow's audition later was "brilliant," but he chose actress Julia Sweeney instead.

Lisa said to Vanity Fair, "I was super disappointed." "I was disappointed because I thought 'Maybe this is one of those people who never get good things.'

8. Kathy Griffin

Lorne was on his way to Lisa Kudrow's concert when Kathy Griffin performed with The Groundlings. Julia Sweeney was chosen instead of Kathy Griffin. Lisa recalls Kathy as being very upset.

Kathy told Vanity Fair that "you never know when Lorne Micheals is going to come and take someone out of the show, like the night Lisa and I were at the show and got passed over by Julia Sweeney," adding jokingly, "We're still not over it." I don't give a damn what Lisa says.

9. Stephen Colbert

After Robert Smigel saw Stephen Colbert perform at Second City, he decided to give him a chance. Robert was originally there to watch Steve Carell, but Stephen took his place since Steve was not available. Robert said Stephen "completely blew him away", so he brought Stephen to audition before Lorne. Later, the executive producer admitted to regretting turning Stephen away.

Stephen was able to become a part "SNL" later when he agreed to do voiceovers and write for "TV Funhouse," an adult cartoon series that aired on the sketch show.

10. Geena Davis

Geena sent a videotape audition to "SNL" in the 1980s. She was invited to lunch to discuss an opening on the show, but she found the whole experience "weird."

"I made an idiot videotape with me doing things I thought were funny. The year was when Billy Crystal, Chris Guest and Harry Shearer appeared on the show. I went to lunch with them. It was awkward, because they asked, "OK, what is funny about you?" Geena said, "It was a weird lunch. Just prove that you are funny." "Obviously, I didn't make the cast but I have always loved this show."

11. Ellie Kemper

Ellie Kemper says that her nerves won out when she auditioned for 'SNL. Ellie Kemper admits that it all began to go wrong after she arrived at Lorne’s office, telling the receptionist that she had an "appointment with Michael Lornes". She still went into the audition and was ultimately rejected. Ellie admits that she would not have made a good match.

"I completely agree with his choice. I'm not sure I could have done well on that show, because I'm not very good at celebrity impressions or characters. Ellie revealed on "Watch What Happens Live" that her husband is a writer on the show.

12. Mindy Kaling

Mindy Kaling was almost able to leave "The Office" to get a job on "SNL". She made a deal to be released from her contract with Greg Daniels if she got a role on the show. However, Lorne turned her down for a position in the cast, but she did receive a writing job. She accepted in hopes of joining the cast, but Greg reminded that this wasn't a part of the deal.

Mindy told "The Last Laugh Podcast" that it was a "life-changing experience." "I believe the course of my professional life would have been very different had I quit 'The Office,' and instead done that."

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Title: 12 Actors Who Got Rejected By Saturday Night Live
Sourced From: www.toofab.com/2023/04/17/actors-who-got-rejected-by-saturday-night-live/
Published Date: Mon, 17 Apr 2023 15:42:04 +0000

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