"I'm not an impressionist"— Steve Martin explains why he declined to play Tim Walz on SNL

After the chatter online that he would make a great actor to play Tim Walz on Saturday Night Live, Steve Martin explained why he won't be doing it in an interview with the LA Times on Wednesday, August 7, 2024.

When SNL boss Lorne Michaels offered Martin to play the role of Vice President Kamala Harris's running mate in the sketch show, the actor-comedian politely declined. He shared the reason why and what he told Michaels during an interview, saying:

"I wanted to say no and, by the way, he [Michaels] wanted me to say no. I said, 'Lorne, I'm not an impressionist.'"

Steve Martin added that he didn't think he was picked for the role for the right reasons, stating:

"[I said] 'You need someone who can really nail the guy.' I was picked because I have gray hair and glasses."

As previous ta;k about the Pink Panther actor playing the Minnesota Governor Tim Walz in SNL noted, the two personalities have similar facial features.

If Martin had accepted the Tim Walz role on SNL, he would be playing alongside Maya Rudolph, who will be returning for the sketch show's Season 50 to reprise her role as Kamala Harris.

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Steve Martin said he would be "struggling" if he plays Tim Walz

Besides the fact that he didn't think he was right for the role, Steve Martin noted that the time commitment for the gig is another reason why he declined to play Tim Walz in the show. He said that he's not up to the kind of commitment it requires, adding:

"It's ongoing. It's not like you do it once and get applause and never do it again."

For reference, when Alec Baldwin played Donald Trump in the show before the 2016 presidential election, he ended up reprising the role for several years. Meanwhile, the Only Murders in the Building actor is hopeful that the production will be able to find someone more fitting for the job, but he isn't it because he would be struggling. He said:

"They're gonna find somebody really, really good. I'd be struggling."

While Steve Martin has never been part of the SNL cast, the actor-comedian has hosted the sketch show 16 times since 1976. He's also worked with SNL alum and stand-up comedian, Martin Short, on numerous live shows.

There is other news available about the casting of the upcoming Saturday Night Live Season 50, which is set to begin late in September on NBC. Rudolph's return as the current VP vying for the highest seat in the Oval Office next election has been confirmed, but two previous cast members won't be returning.

Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney are departing from the sketch show ahead of its 50th season, with both confirming the news in their separate statements on social media several days ago.