During an appearance on the Richer Lives by SoFi podcast, Thompson said his door is always open to cast members who want guidance. One of those performers is Marcello Hernández, who joined SNL in 2022.
Thompson explained that Hernández actively sought him out for advice and showed a strong willingness to learn. He praised Hernández’s attitude, saying he embraced how different sketch comedy was from his previous work and focused on doing the best version of what he could do.
“He’s been growing in that,” Thompson said, adding that Hernández made a strong first impression on the show and quickly went viral. Thompson called his career path so far “an amazing trajectory to witness.”
Thompson also reflected on mentoring former cast members Pete Davidson and Leslie Jones, both of whom joined SNL in 2014. He said Davidson often came to him with questions when he was younger in his career, while Jones leaned on him as she adjusted to working in television.
According to Thompson, his advice is simple. “Face the camera, know your lines, stay in the moment, and have fun,” he said. He added that his relaxed approach comes from having worked in comedy since childhood, including joining SNL as a featured player in 2003.
Thompson said it’s rewarding to watch new cast members grow quickly, comparing them to “baby dragons” who soon become stars. He noted how cast members often begin getting written for more, appearing on talk shows, landing movie roles, and eventually becoming household names.
He pointed to Abby Elliott as a recent example. Elliott, who was on SNL from 2008 to 2012, now stars on the hit series The Bear. Thompson said seeing former cast members succeed is a reminder of how valuable the SNL stamp can be.
Saturday Night Live returns Saturday, Jan. 17, with an episode hosted by Finn Wolfhard and musical guest A$AP Rocky.
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