Steve Carell Once Faced an SNL Rejection That Still Hurts

Steve Carell’s path to comedy royalty is often cited as a masterclass in resilience, though it began with a scenario that could easily have been a plot point in one of his movies. In 1995, Carell and his wife, Nancy Walls, auditioned for Saturday Night Live at a time when the show was looking to rebuild its roster.

In a twist of fate that was as awkward as it was heartbreaking, Nancy was hired as a cast member, while Steve was passed over in favour of his future co-star, Will Ferrell. The sting of that rejection has become legendary in comedy circles, often framed as the ultimate “almost” moment.

Carell has frequently spoken about the diplomacy required in a marriage when one partner succeeds while the other falls short, famously noting that relationships require common ground and not just one person making amends. He eventually found his footing as a correspondent on The Daily Show before becoming a global icon as Michael Scott, the world’s most famously awkward paper merchant.

However, the “official” story of his SNL audition has been called into question by the man himself. Despite Lorne Michaels maintaining that Carell and Stephen Colbert both auditioned, Carell has tried to set the record straight on social media.

He clarified that the story was largely a bit for his 2005 hosting monologue, stating, Sad to say… I never auditioned for SNL. Would have in a heartbeat, but I was never asked. Whether it was a formal audition or a missed opportunity at the Second City level, the narrative remains a fascinating piece of late-night lore.

As of February, the 63-year-old actor is busier than ever, moving seamlessly between heartfelt dramas and the biting comedy that made him a star. He is currently gearing up for the premiere of his new HBO original series, Rooster, which is set to debut on March 8.

Created by Ted Lasso’s Bill Lawrence and Matt Tarses, the 10-episode comedy stars Carell as an author navigating a strained and complicated relationship with his daughter, played by Charly Clive. The show also features an impressive ensemble cast including Danielle Deadwyler, Phil Dunster, and John C. McGinley.

On the big screen, Carell continues to be the voice of a generation as Felonious Gru. Following the massive success of Despicable Me 4 in 2024, it is also rumoured that Despicable Me 5 might be in active development.

He also recently reunited with his The Office co-star John Krasinski for the live-action animated fantasy IF, where he provided the voice for the lovable purple monster, Blue. In addition to his upcoming HBO series, Carell recently wrapped work on the Netflix adaptation of The Four Seasons, a series inspired by the 1981 Alan Alda film.

Between his continued role as Mitch Kessler on The Morning Show and his new venture into campus comedy with Rooster, Carell has proven that he didn’t need the SNL “driving test” to become one of the most respected actors in the industry. His career is a testament to the fact that sometimes the “potholes” on the road to success lead to much more interesting destinations.

Do you think Steve Carell’s career would have turned out differently if he had actually joined the SNL cast in 1995, or was he always destined to find his best work on The Office? Share your thoughts in the comments.