Steve Martin turns down Tim Walz impersonation role on SNL,’ dashing internet’s casting hopes

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As a die-hard fan of Steve Martin, I must say his decision to decline the offer to portray Tim Walz on Saturday Night Live is both disappointing and understandable. With his extensive background in comedy and his regular appearances on SNL since the 1970s, it’s no secret that he has the talent to bring any character to life. However, as a non-impressionist, I appreciate his honesty and respect his commitment to authenticity.

Regrettably, I must share that I won’t be stepping into the role of Tim Walz, the Midwestern politician, on Saturday Night Live, as some may have hoped. When the show resumes in September, I’ve chosen to decline the offer for a valid reason.

As a lifestyle connoisseur, I found myself thrilled to share the news that Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota was officially named as the Democratic nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris’s running mate on Tuesday (August 06). The buzz surrounding Martin taking on the role of portraying Governor Walz in Saturday Night Live has been growing rapidly online, leaving me eager to see how it all unfolds.

Martin unequivocally expressed his refusal to assume a political role in an interview with the Los Angeles Times the following day. He informed the newspaper that on Wednesday morning, veteran SNL producer Lorne Michaels had approached him about portraying Walz, but he declined the offer. “I wanted to decline and, by the way, he wanted me to decline,” Martin explained.

Speaking about the significant factor influencing his choice, he remembered stating, “Lorne, I’m not a painter of fleeting impressions. What you require is someone who can truly capture the essence of the subject.” He was selected due to his appearance featuring gray hair and glasses.

Martin Short and Selena Gomez star together in the hit Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building.” Additionally, they are touring with their show “The Dukes of Funnytown!” which could interfere with SNL’s filming schedule. As reported by the LA Times, following this news, Deadline previously announced that Maya Rudolph had delayed the filming of her Apple TV+ sitcom “Loot” to rejoin Saturday Night Live as Harris. Regarding his role on SNL, Martin said, “It’s an ongoing thing,” to the LA Times. Notably, Martin has frequently appeared or hosted SNL since the 1970s.

 

Martin commented, “Impersonating Walz isn’t something you can do just once for accolades and then move on. It requires a skilled impressionist. They’ll certainly find someone exceptionally talented to pull it off. Frankly, I’d find it challenging myself.”

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2024-08-09 07:22