'SNL's' Kenan Thompson Opens Up About The Emotional Downside To Being On The Sketch Show For So Many Years

For all the "Saturday Night Live" giants that have left and returned to the sketch series over the years, only one actor to date has held strong to his spot in the cast for more than 20 years: Kenan Thompson. As the longest-running "SNL" cast member in the NBC series’ history, the All That vet has been central to most of the show’s biggest and best moments this century. But that kind of TV longevity can also unfortunately have the occasional downside.

With Season 50 currently going strong amidst the 2024 TV schedule, Thompson joined co-star Ego Nwodim to offer some life advice on an episode of her podcast "Thanks Dad," sharing his thoughts on knowing when to take a step back in one’s career. He also talked about some of the emotions that don’t come up as often when his years on "SNL" are being celebrated, pointing to how regularly he and others have to deal with losing close friends and co-stars.