Steve Martin Turns Down Tim Walz Imitation Role on ‘SNL,’ Dashing Internet’s Casting Hopes

LOS ANGELES – Steve Martin’s next role won’t be the Midwestern politician the Internet expected him to portray.

With the extremely popular Maya Rudolph Kamala Harris impression on “Saturday Night Live,” fans clamored to see who the late-night comedy show would choose to play Harris’ new running mate, the governor of Minnesota. Tim Walz.

With similar hairstyles and his signature glasses, many fans were quick to draw comparisons between Walz and Martin, who has been a frequent guest on “SNL” but never a formal cast member.

O Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday that “SNL” producer Lorne Michaels called Martin to offer him the role in the upcoming 50th season, premiering Sept. 28, which he turned down.

“I wanted to say no, and by the way, he wanted me to say no,” Martin said. “I said, ‘Lorne, I’m not an impressionist. You need someone who can actually get the guy. I was chosen because I have gray hair and glasses.”

Although Martin was initially interested in the fun of writing on social platforms Topics Although he “just found out that Tim Walz wants to hit the road with Marty Short,” he also noted that the impression comes with a long-term commitment to acting on the show.

“It’s ongoing,” Martin told the Times. “It’s not like you do it once, get applause and never do it again. Again, they need a true impressionist to do this. They’re going to find someone really, really good. I would be fighting.”

Rudolph, meanwhile, will reportedly take on her Emmy-winning role on the show as Kamala Harris, and she seems to understand the undertaking. Deadline reported that Rudolph pushed back the filming schedule for the comedy series “Loot” from August to January to accommodate the role during election season. Rudolph executive produces and stars in the series.

The “Bridesmaids” actress played “America’s funt” — or “fun aunt” — for the first time on “SNL” in 2019, when Harris was running for president and continued with the role after being announced as his running mate. Joe Biden.