Steve Martin refuses Tim Walz role on 'SNL' despite pleas from fans

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Steve Martin is not interested in impersonating Kamala Harris' running mate, Governor Tim Walz, on "Saturday Night Live" – despite pleas from fans. 

Shortly after Harris announced the Minnesota Gov. would be her running mate, Martin spoke to the Los Angeles Times about receiving a phone call from "SNL" producer Lorne Michaels asking him to appear on the famed comedy show.

"I wanted to say no and, by the way, he wanted me to say no," Martin told the outlet about his phone call with Michaels.  

Steve Martin, Tim Walz

Fans called for Steve Martin to impersonate Tim Walz on "Saturday Night Live." (Getty Images)

"I said, 'Lorne, I’m not an impressionist. You need someone who can really nail the guy.' I was picked because I have gray hair and glasses," he continued.

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The actor also noted that the commitment to appearing as Walz on "SNL" would be "ongoing," which doesn't align with his current schedule.

"Again, they need a real impressionist to do that. They’re going to find somebody really, really good. I’d be struggling."

— Steve Martin

"It’s ongoing. It’s not like you do it once and get applause and never do it again," Martin told the outlet. "Again, they need a real impressionist to do that. They’re going to find somebody really, really good. I’d be struggling." 

Shortly after Harris named Walz as her running mate, Martin took to Threads, raising speculation that he would be joining "SNL" alongside Maya Rudolph. 

Kamala-Harris-And-Running-Mate-Tim-Walz-Make-First-Appearance-Together-In-Philadelphia

Vice President Harris named Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

"I just learned that Tim Walz wants to go on the road with Marty Short," Martin wrote. 

Martin referenced his "Only Murders in the Building" co-star Martin Short in his post, which prompted fans to point out the physical similarities between Martin and Walz.

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A user on X, formerly known as Twitter, wrote, "So Steve Martin is definitely gonna play Walz on ‘SNL’ right."

Close up of Steve Martin

Steve Martin declined to appear as Walz on "SNL." ( Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Maya Rudolph SNL

Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris during the "VP Fly Debate" on "Saturday Night Live" in October 2020. (Getty Images)

Another user added, "'SNL' get Steve Martin on the phone NOW."

At the end of July, Deadline reported that Rudolph would return as Harris on "Saturday Night Live" for the 50th season. The actress first portrayed the current Vice President in 2019 when Harris ran for the democratic nomination for president.

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In 2020, the outlet reported that Harris asked Rudolph what it was like to impersonate her on the late-night comedy show. 

US Vice President Kamala Harris

Vice President Harris is the Democrat nominee for president. (ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)

"In terms of Senator Harris, I didn't have an impression because I wasn't walking around the house doing my 'Kamala.' But I think it starts with trying to get someone's voice if you can," Ruldolph said at the time. "There's nothing crazily overt about Sen. Harris, but I have to tell you, when I got to [SNL] and they put the wig on me, it was done."

Janelle Ash is an entertainment writer for Fox News Digital.

Authored by Janelle Ash via FoxNews August 7th 2024