Kenan Thompson: From SNL Star to Author
Emmy winner and actor Kenan Thompson, the longest-serving cast member of the variety show “Saturday Night Live,” has made a lot of people laugh over the decades. Now, he has moved on to a new act: writing a book.
A Journey of Laughter and Wisdom
In his 2023 memoir, “When I Was Your Age: Life Lessons, Funny Stories & Questionable Parenting Advice from a Professional Clown,” Thompson shows that while he is a ’90s child at heart, he has picked up some wisdom along the way, as a now 40-something father-of-two.
Rising Star
The Georgia native caught the acting bug at the age of 15 in 1994. His first job was as a cast member on Nickelodeon’s “All That.” In the same year, he also starred in the second installment of the popular “The Mighty Ducks” film franchise, playing a young hockey player. He came back later for “The Mighty Ducks 3.”
Comedy Duo
However, along with his buddy Kel Mitchell, Thompson is perhaps best known for being one half of the comedy duo Kenan and Kel, starring in the sketch comedy show “All That” from 1994-99, followed by the spinoff series “Kenan & Kel” from 1996-2000. One of their sketches, “Good Burger,” about two teens working in a fast-food joint, was turned into two feature films, one in 1997 and the most recent in 2023.
From Sketch Comedy to SNL
Thompson landed a coveted spot at “SNL” in 2003, where he still works today. His versatility and comedy talent led to him becoming a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in 2022.
A Mix of Humor and Heart
In his memoir, he tackles serious subjects with just the right amount of humor sprinkled in — as when he describes the death of loved ones, his divorce from the mother of his two young daughters, and figuring out how to deal with the disappointing fate of former heroes, such as Bill Cosby.
Friendship and Reconciliation
He also discusses his nearly decade-long feud with Mitchell. The two are now on good terms, especially after completing the second “Good Burger” film.
A Different Kind of Comedy
“I’ve always tried to not do the Black versions of white things — because that’s what most stand-ups do … it was important to me to be different. I wanted the jokes to be stuff we could all laugh at comfortably,” Thompson writes.
He has succeeded in writing a book that can be comfortably enjoyed by all.