Steve Martin has declined an offer to join "Saturday Night Live" to impersonate Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz. The actor and comedian said that he is not an impressionist and that the commitment to the role would be ongoing, which does not align with his current schedule.
Steve Martin has declined an offer to join "Saturday Night Live" to impersonate Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz.
The actor and comedian told the Los Angeles Times that he received a phone call from "SNL" producer Lorne Michaels asking him to appear on the famed comedy show.
Steve Martin Not Interested in Impersonating Tim Walz on "Saturday Night Live
"I wanted to say no and, by the way, he wanted me to say no," Martin told the outlet about his phone call with Michaels.
"I said, 'Lorne, I’m not an impressionist. You need someone who can really nail the guy.' I was picked because I have gray hair and glasses," he continued.
Steve Martin Not Interested in Impersonating Tim Walz on "Saturday Night Live
Martin also noted that the commitment to appearing as Walz on "SNL" would be "ongoing," which doesn't align with his current schedule.
"Again, they need a real impressionist to do that. They’re going to find somebody really, really good. I’d be struggling."
Steve Martin Not Interested in Impersonating Tim Walz on "Saturday Night Live
Shortly after Harris named Walz as her running mate, Martin took to Threads, raising speculation that he would be joining "SNL" alongside Maya Rudolph.
"I just learned that Tim Walz wants to go on the road with Marty Short," Martin wrote.
Steve Martin Not Interested in Impersonating Tim Walz on "Saturday Night Live
Martin referenced his "Only Murders in the Building" co-star Martin Short in his post, which prompted fans to point out the physical similarities between Martin and Walz.
A user on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote, "So Steve Martin is definitely gonna play Walz on ‘SNL’ right."
Steve Martin Not Interested in Impersonating Tim Walz on "Saturday Night Live
Another user added, "'SNL' get Steve Martin on the phone NOW."
At the end of July, Deadline reported that Rudolph would return as Harris on "Saturday Night Live" for the 50th season. The actress first portrayed the current Vice President in 2019 when Harris ran for the democratic nomination for president.
In 2020, the outlet reported that Harris asked Rudolph what it was like to impersonate her on the late-night comedy show.
"In terms of Senator Harris, I didn't have an impression because I wasn't walking around the house doing my 'Kamala.' But I think it starts with trying to get someone's voice if you can," Ruldolph said at the time. "There's nothing crazily overt about Sen. Harris, but I have to tell you, when I got to [SNL] and they put the wig on me, it was done."
Martin's decision not to join "SNL" as Walz is likely to disappoint fans who had hoped to see the actor take on the role. However, it is understandable given Martin's busy schedule and his lack of experience as an impressionist.
