Actors Who Got Banned From SNL

‘Saturday Night Live’ has a long history of hosting celebrities who push the boundaries of live television for global audiences. While many stars find a permanent home on the legendary stage some cross lines that result in a professional ban from the show. These exclusions often stem from unscripted outbursts or poor preparation or backstage conflicts that upset the cast and crew during production week. This list explores the male actors and performers who were famously blacklisted by Lorne Michaels or the network throughout the decades.

Milton Berle

The legendary comedian known for his appearance in ‘The Muppet Movie’ hosted the show in 1979 and became one of the most notorious figures in its history. His insistence on using outdated jokes and mugging for the camera frustrated the writers and producers throughout the week. During the live broadcast he staged an unapproved standing ovation for himself which infuriated Lorne Michaels. The producer subsequently banned Berle from ‘Saturday Night Live’ and kept the episode from being aired in reruns for many years. This incident remains a foundational example of how a guest can alienate the entire production team.

Adrien Brody

The Academy Award winner hosted the program in 2003 to promote his recent film success in ‘The Pianist’. He famously went unscripted during his introduction of the musical guest by wearing fake dreadlocks and speaking in a Jamaican accent. This improvised stunt was not approved by the producers and caused immediate tension behind the scenes. Lorne Michaels is known for a strict rule regarding introductions which led to the actor being blacklisted from the series. He has not appeared on the show since that controversial night.

Steven Seagal

Action star Steven Seagal hosted in 1991 and is often cited by cast members as the worst host in the history of the show. He reportedly refused to participate in several sketches and was difficult to work with during rehearsals for the program. Cast members David Spade and Dana Carvey have shared stories about his lack of humor and his inability to play along with the comedy format. Lorne Michaels eventually confirmed the ‘Under Siege’ actor was a huge challenge and he was never invited back to the stage. His performance is frequently used as a cautionary tale for future hosts who do not understand the collaborative nature of the show.

Martin Lawrence

During his hosting stint in 1994 the star of ‘Bad Boys’ delivered a monologue that quickly became infamous. He departed from his rehearsed material to deliver an explicit routine about female hygiene that shocked the audience and network executives. The monologue was heavily edited for future broadcasts and the network received numerous complaints from viewers. As a result of this unscripted moment the actor was banned from ever appearing on ‘Saturday Night Live’ again. This event highlighted the risks of live television when a performer ignores the standards and practices guidelines.

Robert Blake

The actor known for the series ‘Baretta’ hosted in 1982 and left a negative impression on the writing staff almost immediately. He reportedly took a script from one of the writers and crumpled it up before throwing it at them in frustration. This hostile behavior created an uncomfortable environment for the entire cast and crew during production week. His general lack of cooperation led to a permanent ban from the show shortly after the episode aired. The incident is often cited as one of the most aggressive interactions between a host and the creative team.

Charles Grodin

The actor from ‘Beethoven’ appeared as a host during the early years of the show in 1977. He played a character who was consistently late for sketches and seemed confused about the live format throughout the night. While some viewers found the meta commentary interesting the producers felt the performance was unprofessional and disruptive to the flow of the broadcast. The decision was made to not invite him back for future appearances despite his successful film career. This case demonstrates how a specific performance style can clash with the needs of a live production.

Andy Kaufman

The eccentric performer from ‘Taxi’ was a frequent guest on the show before his relationship with the producers soured. In 1982 he allowed the audience to vote via a phone in poll on whether he should ever be allowed to return. The viewers voted to keep him off the air by a significant margin and the show honored the results of the poll. While Kaufman often blurred the lines between reality and performance he never appeared on the series again after that broadcast. This remains one of the most unique ways a performer has been excluded from the program.

Shane Gillis

The comedian was hired as a new cast member in 2019 but his tenure ended before it could officially begin. After his casting was announced videos surfaced of him using racial slurs and offensive language on a podcast. The public outcry led the network and Lorne Michaels to rescind the job offer just days later. While he eventually returned to host the show years later his initial firing acted as a temporary ban from the cast. This situation sparked a major conversation about the vetting process for potential television stars.

Chevy Chase

As an original cast member and the star of ‘Caddyshack’ the actor had a long and complicated relationship with the show. However his behavior during a hosting appearance in 1997 reportedly led to a ban from hosting duties. He was accused of slapping a cast member and being verbally abusive to the staff during the week of production. While he has made brief cameo appearances in anniversary specials he was not allowed to host the program for many years following the incident. His reputation for being difficult on set eventually caught up with him at the show that launched his career.

Frank Zappa

The musician and performer hosted in 1978 and took a very cynical approach to the entire experience. He spent much of the night pointing out the cue cards and telling the audience that he was reading his lines. This behavior broke the illusion of the show and frustrated the cast members who were trying to perform the sketches. His refusal to play along with the format led to a ban from the producers who valued the integrity of the live sketches. He never returned to the show in any capacity after that problematic episode.

Lawrence Tierney

The actor known for his role in ‘Reservoir Dogs’ hosted the show in 1991 and proved to be a liability behind the scenes. He reportedly scared the cast members and writers with his volatile behavior and unpredictable nature. There were reports that he even pulled a knife on someone during a rehearsal which created a dangerous environment. The production staff decided that his presence was too disruptive and he was subsequently banned from the building. This remains one of the most frightening hosting stories in the history of the series.

Sam Kinison

The high energy comedian was a guest performer who frequently pushed the limits of network television. During one of his appearances he ignored requests from the producers to avoid certain topics like drug use and religion. His refusal to follow the rules of the network censors led to a significant amount of tension with Lorne Michaels. While he was a popular figure in the comedy world his inability to stick to the script resulted in a ban from the show. His career on the program ended because he would not compromise his act for the broadcast standards.

Damon Wayans

The actor and creator of ‘In Living Color’ was a cast member in the middle of the 1980s but his time on the show was cut short. During a live sketch he decided to play a character as flamboyantly gay without any prior approval from the writers or director. This change ruined the intended punchline of the sketch and angered the production team. Lorne Michaels fired him immediately after the show for his lack of professional discipline. Although he later returned as a guest host the firing served as a significant ban during his early career.

Charles Rocket

The actor from ‘Dances with Wolves’ was part of the cast during the 1980 season which was a difficult time for the show. During a sketch that parodied a popular television mystery he accidentally used a forbidden swear word on live television. This mistake was a major violation of network rules and caused an immediate scandal for the struggling program. He was fired shortly after the incident and was never invited back to the show in any capacity. His career was significantly impacted by that single unscripted moment during a live broadcast.

Paul Shaffer

The talented musician and actor from ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ was a regular on the show during its early years. In 1980 he became the first person to ever say a specific profanity during a live sketch on the series. This slip of the tongue led to him being banned from the program for a period of time by the network executives. While he eventually returned to the world of late night television his time at the sketch comedy series was marred by this event. He is often remembered as the person who broke the swearing barrier on the show.

Jay Mohr

The comedian and actor from ‘Jerry Maguire’ was a cast member in the 1990s but left the show under a cloud of controversy. He admitted to stealing a joke from another comedian for use in a sketch on the show which is a major ethical violation. This act of plagiarism damaged his reputation with the writers and the producers who value original content. He was not invited back to the show for many years as a result of this professional misconduct. His story serves as a warning about the importance of creative integrity in the world of television writing.

Louis C.K.

The actor and creator of the series ‘Louie’ was a frequent host who had close ties to the writing staff. After several allegations of sexual misconduct were made public in 2017 the show distanced itself from him completely. He was effectively banned from ever returning to the stage or being associated with the series again. The producers took a firm stance against his behavior by removing any chance of future collaborations. This decision reflected the broader cultural shift in the entertainment industry regarding professional conduct and accountability.

Hulk Hogan

The wrestler and actor from ‘Rocky III’ was reportedly blacklisted from the show after several backstage issues during his era of fame. He was considered a difficult guest to book because of his demanding nature and the specific requirements of his persona. Rumors suggest that the production team found his attitude to be incompatible with the collaborative spirit of the sketch comedy world. While he was a massive star in the 1980s he never secured a hosting spot on the legendary series. This exclusion is often attributed to his reputation for being hard to manage in a live setting.

Tom Arnold

The actor from ‘True Lies’ was reportedly banned from the show due to his chaotic personal life and behavior during the 1990s. Lorne Michaels allegedly felt that his presence would be too distracting for the cast and the audience at the time. His association with other controversial figures also made the network hesitant to give him a platform. While he has had a lengthy career in film and television he remains one of the few prominent comedians of his era to never host the program. This decision was largely based on the desire to maintain a professional environment backstage.

Lance Armstrong

The athlete and actor from ‘Dodgeball’ hosted the show in 2005 at the height of his sporting success. Following his public admission of using banned substances the show has reportedly distanced itself from him. He is often included in lists of people who are no longer welcome to participate in the program due to the scandal. The fall from grace made his past appearance a point of contention for the show and its legacy. He has not been seen in the halls of the studio since the truth about his career came to light.

Justin Bieber

The singer and actor from ‘Zoolander 2’ hosted the show in 2013 and left a very poor impression on the regular cast members. Bill Hader famously described him as one of the worst guests ever due to his large entourage and unprofessional attitude. He reportedly behaved poorly during rehearsals and showed a lack of respect for the writing process. These reports led many to believe that he has been quietly banned from ever hosting the program again. His behavior on set became a topic of public discussion among the former stars of the show.

Donald Trump

The former president and actor hosted the show twice but has since been banned from the program by its creator. After his transition into politics and several controversial statements Lorne Michaels indicated that he would not be invited back. The show has since moved toward parodizing him through other actors rather than having him appear in person. This ban is as much about the political climate as it is about the changing tone of the series. He remains a figure that the show has publicly distanced itself from in recent years.

Chris Farley

The beloved cast member and star of ‘Tommy Boy’ returned to host the show in 1997 after he had already left the regular cast. During his hosting appearance he was visibly struggling with his health and substance abuse issues. The episode was difficult for the cast to watch and the writers felt that they were enabling his behavior. Following the broadcast the producers reportedly decided that he would not be allowed to host again for his own health. This tragic situation led to a ban that was intended to protect the star from the pressures of live television.

Norm Macdonald

The actor from ‘Dirty Work’ was the host of the ‘Weekend Update’ segment until he was famously fired from the show in 1998. The decision was made by a network executive who reportedly did not find his style of humor to be effective. After his firing he was initially told he was not welcome back and he was even excluded from promo materials. While the ban was eventually softened and he returned to host the show his exit remains one of the most contentious in history. His firing sparked a major debate about creative control and executive interference in comedy.

Jim Belushi

The actor from ‘According to Jim’ followed in his brother’s footsteps by joining the cast in the early 1980s. However he was fired during his second season for having a volatile temper and being difficult to work with. He reportedly had several outbursts during rehearsals that made the writing staff uncomfortable. While he eventually found success in other television projects his time on this specific show ended on a very negative note. He was not invited back for many years as the production team preferred to avoid his unpredictable energy.

Art Garfunkel

The singer and actor from ‘Catch 22’ was a musical guest and host who ran into trouble with the show’s producers in 1980. He reportedly refused to perform certain songs and was difficult to coordinate with during the live broadcast. His lack of flexibility led to a fallout with Lorne Michaels who was known for wanting a smooth production. This conflict resulted in him being blacklisted from future appearances on the show for several decades. He is a rare example of a legendary performer who was cast aside due to backstage disagreements.

Steven Wright

The deadpan comedian and actor was a guest performer who eventually faced a quiet exclusion from the series. While he was popular with the audience his specific style of humor did not always mesh well with the fast paced nature of the sketches. Reports suggest that he was eventually stopped from returning because the producers wanted to move in a different creative direction. While he was never officially banned in a public way he was certainly blacklisted from appearing as a guest again. This demonstrates how even successful comedians can find themselves out of favor with the show’s leadership.

Bill Hicks

The influential comedian and actor never actually hosted the show but he was famously blacklisted after a failed audition process. He was highly critical of the program and its corporate nature which did not sit well with the producers. His refusal to tone down his material for network television meant that he was never given a chance to perform on the stage. This mutual dislike resulted in a permanent exclusion from the world of late night sketch comedy. He often spoke about his disdain for ‘Saturday Night Live’ in his stand up routines.

Casey Affleck

The star of ‘Manchester by the Sea’ hosted the show in 2016 and his episode was met with a significant amount of controversy behind the scenes. While he was not officially banned at the time many reports surfaced about his lack of engagement with the writers. The show has not invited him back since that appearance and his name is often mentioned as someone who did not fit the culture of the program. This lack of a return invitation is often seen as a quiet ban within the entertainment industry. His experience shows that a host must do more than just show up to be invited back.

James Franco

The actor from ‘127 Hours’ was a frequent host and guest on the show for many years. After several allegations of misconduct were made against him the series stopped including him in its lineup. He has not been invited to host or make cameos since the controversies became public news. This unofficial ban reflects the show’s desire to avoid association with problematic public figures. He remains one of the more recent examples of a former favorite being excluded from the Studio 8H stage.

Tell us which of these SNL bans surprised you the most in the comments.