Steve Carell Once Faced an SNL Rejection That Still Hurts

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Steve Carell’s success in comedy is a great example of bouncing back from disappointment, and his story actually starts with a tough situation that feels like something out of one of his films. Back in 1995, Steve and his wife, Nancy Walls, both auditioned for Saturday Night Live when the show was looking for new cast members.

In a surprisingly awkward and painful turn of events, Nancy got the job, but Steve didn’t – Will Ferrell was chosen instead. This rejection is now well-known in the comedy world as a classic “so close, yet so far” moment.

Carell has often talked about how difficult it was for their marriage, emphasizing that relationships need a shared understanding and can’t rely on just one person apologizing. He eventually found his break as a reporter on The Daily Show, which led to his worldwide fame as Michael Scott, the hilariously awkward paper salesman we all know and love.

Steve Carell has disputed the commonly told story about his Saturday Night Live audition. While Lorne Michaels has said both Carell and Stephen Colbert auditioned, Carell recently clarified on social media that the story was mostly a joke he told during his 2005 hosting gig. He explained he never actually auditioned for SNL, though he would have loved to. Whether it was a forgotten audition or a chance never taken, the story continues to be a popular tale in late-night television history.

At 63, the actor is incredibly busy, effortlessly switching between dramatic roles and the comedic work that launched his career. His new HBO series, Rooster, is set to premiere on March 8th.

The 10-episode comedy, created by the team behind Ted Lasso (Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses), stars Steve Carell as a writer dealing with a difficult relationship with his daughter, played by Charly Clive. The show also features a strong supporting cast, including Danielle Deadwyler, Phil Dunster, and John C. McGinley.

Steve Carell continues to be a popular voice actor, most notably as Felonious Gru in the Despicable Me franchise. After the success of Despicable Me 4 in 2024, a fifth film is reportedly being planned.

He recently teamed up with former The Office co-star John Krasinski in the movie IF, voicing the character Blue, a charming purple monster. Beyond that, Carell has finished work on a Netflix series based on the 1981 film The Four Seasons and is also preparing for a new HBO show. He continues his role on The Morning Show and is exploring a new comedic direction with the series Rooster.

Carell’s career demonstrates that he didn’t need early exposure like an SNL audition to become a highly regarded actor. His path to success proves that unexpected challenges can often lead to even more rewarding outcomes.

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2026-02-10 18:14