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Chris Parnell: Twice Fired, Twice Resilient on SNL
8 Jul
Summary
- Parnell was fired from SNL twice, the first time in 2001 due to budget cuts.
- He felt his initial 2001 dismissal was a shock, with cast and writers expressing surprise.
- Parnell later returned and stayed until 2006, then found success on '30 Rock'.
Chris Parnell, a prominent figure in comedy, recently discussed his experiences being let go from Saturday Night Live on two separate occasions. The first dismissal occurred in the summer of 2001, a move Parnell described as a significant shock. He noted that the unexpected nature of his departure was compounded by the surprise and outcry from fellow cast members and writers.
This initial firing in 2001 was attributed to budget constraints and the addition of new cast members. Parnell's departure was part of a drawn-out process, with lingering hopes of his return. He eventually left for Los Angeles, similar to Jay Mohr's experience with ambiguous timelines from SNL producers.
Parnell did return to SNL midway through the 2001-2002 season, following the September 11th attacks. He remained with the show until 2006, when he was let go for a second time, this time alongside Horatio Sanz and Finesse Mitchell, again due to budget considerations. Parnell stated that by 2006, he was ready for this second departure.
Shortly after his final exit from SNL, Parnell secured a recurring role as Dr. Leo Spaceman on Tina Fey's NBC sitcom '30 Rock,' which premiered in 2006. His distinctive voice has also led to extensive work as a voice actor. Looking ahead, Parnell is set to appear in 'The Hawk' in July 2026, alongside fellow SNL alumni.
