The SNL performer who was twice let go by the same boss
In short: Chris Parnell holds a unique distinction in comedy history: he is the only performer to be laid off twice by Saturday Night Live's Lorne Michaels. Despite these budget-driven exits, he became a staple of the show's repertory, earning a nickname for his uncanny ability to stay in character.
Parnell's journey to comedy stardom was not a straight line. After graduating from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts with a BFA in Drama, he moved to Houston to apprentice at the Alley Theatre. When that didn't result in a permanent position, he briefly returned to his hometown of Memphis to teach acting before moving to Los Angeles in 1992. It was there that he joined The Groundlings, a comedy troupe where he began honing the skills that would lead to his breakout on national television.
Joining SNL in 1998, Parnell quickly rose to repertory player status. However, his tenure was marked by significant administrative shifts. In the summer of 2001, budget cuts forced Lorne Michaels to dismiss two cast members; Parnell was one of them, though he was rehired the following season. In 2006, he was laid off again alongside two others. While this made him a statistical anomaly as the only performer released twice by Michaels, Parnell noted in 2008 that he was largely content with the second departure, as he was already considering a move on.
Beyond his live comedy, Parnell earned the nickname "The Ice Man" for his professional discipline. During the "More Cowbell" sketch, he was noted by colleagues Tina Fey and Beth McCarthy Miller as the only actor who did not break character. This technical precision has translated into a prolific voice acting career, where he has voiced prominent characters in Archer, Rick and Morty, and Family Guy, as well as providing the narration for the PBS Kids series WordGirl.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Chris Parnell
- Also: Chris Parnell Sings to Jennifer Garner
- Also: Wikidata — Chris Parnell · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-chris-parnell.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Films · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
