Actor Steve Martin Refuses To Play As Democrat VP Nominee Tim Walz On SNL

Actor and Comedian Steve Martin has turned down a role on Saturday Night Live as Governor Tim Walz.

Martin refused to play as the Democratic Vice Presidential nominee due to not being a good “impressionist”.

Martin shared, “I wanted to say no, and, by the way, he wanted me to say no.”

“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,” added Martin.

Steve Martin won't play Tim Walz on #SNL this season: " You need someone who can really nail the guy" https://t.co/y2opDXSzTv pic.twitter.com/Jv02TllbYZ

— Decider (@decider) August 9, 2024

Here’s what The Daily Wire reported:

Comedian Steve Martin turned down the opportunity to play Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz on “Saturday Night Live,” despite social media users claiming there is a physical resemblance between the two.

The “Only Murders in the Building” star said he got a phone call on Wednesday from the sketch comedy show’s producer, Lorne Michaels, offering him the gig, but he turned it down.

“I wanted to say no and, by the way, he wanted me to say no,” Martin, 78, told the Los Angeles Times. “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.”

The comedian said he’d be “struggling” if he took on the challenge.

Steve Martin says he has declined to play Tim Walz on SNL.

“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.”

(Source: https://t.co/GZxsrHriYV) pic.twitter.com/Ho9OLio9Dw

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 7, 2024

Per CBS:

Steve Martin’s next role will not be the Midwestern politician the internet hoped he’d portray.

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

With similar hairstyles and their signature glasses, many fans quickly drew comparisons between Walz and Martin, who’s been a frequent “SNL” guest but never a formal cast member.

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

“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 really nail the guy.’ I was picked because I have gray hair and glasses.”