Kenan Thompson's 2 Siblings: All About the “SNL” Star's Brother Kerwin and Sister Feleecia
Kenan Thompson has spoken about his brother and sister over the years
Kenan Thompson has been a jokester since he was a little kid — just like his brother Kerwin Thompson and sister Feelcia Thompson.
The Saturday Night Live star and his siblings were raised by their parents, Fletcher and Elizabeth Ann Thompson, in Atlanta. They became active in their community at a young age, joining youth choirs and theater programs. However, it was their late-night comedy sketch watch parties that cemented their sibling bond.
Despite their busy work schedules and Kenan’s growing fame, the trio have remained close in adulthood. While celebrating Kenan’s 20th season on SNL in a profile for Emmy Magazine in 2023, the outlet tapped Kerwin to share a few words about his brother.
"He's always been easygoing and kind," Kerwin said of Kenan. "He's a very quiet person; he leads by example. I've learned how to be gracious through him."
Here's everything to know about Kenan Thompson’s siblings: Kerwin and Feelicia Thompson.
They grew up in Georgia and Virginia
Kenan and his siblings were raised by their father Fletcher, a helicopter mechanic turned realtor, and mother Elizabeth Ann, a nurse anesthetist, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Speaking to WLNI 105.9 FM, Kenan shared that while he and his immediate family moved to Atlanta, they often visited loved ones during the summer in Lynchburg, Va., where he felt connected to the area.
Wherever they were though, church was a “huge part" of Kenan's upbringing, and they attended five times per week.
In his 2023 memoir, When I Was Your Age: Life Lessons, Funny Stories & Questionable Parenting Advice from a Professional Clown, Kenan recalled what it was like growing up as “a middle class-kid in Georgia.”
“I was a fan of the ‘off brand,’ ” he wrote. “We didn't drink Coke, we drank RC Cola. We didn’t eat endless shrimp at Red Lobster, we ate Super Sampler platters at Long John Silver’s. We didn’t go to Disney World, we went to Six Flags.”
Kerwin knew Kenan was destined for stardom at a young age
Kenan was about 5 when Kerwin first noticed his younger brother had a penchant for acting and performing.
"One day our parents told us we couldn't have company," Kerwin recalled in an interview with Emmy Magazine. "I pass Kenan's room, and I hear all these people. I peek in and see he's by himself with Star Wars figures, doing all the voices."
He added, "That was the start of us doing impressions, performing for company."
Kenan credits his brother for introducing him to sketch comedy
Had it not been for Kerwin’s influence, Kenan may not have pursued a career in comedy. The funnyman recalled his first interaction with sketch comedy while opening up about his childhood in his 2023 memoir.
“Kerwin and I were big fans of sketch comedy growing up,” Kenan wrote. “My love for performance started with my brother for sure. We watch Living Color and all the shows and films in the Black zeitgeist.”
Soon, the siblings, who "were like two peas in a pod," began testing each other's ability to perform, especially on long drives.
"I was always running behind my brother. ... We would quote movies on those road trips from Atlanta to Virginia, backward and forwards and impress our parents with our knowledge of Coming to America or some other movie," Kenan told WLNI 105.9 FM. "We just had a love of comedy and movies at a very early age."
He also recounted childhood memories to The Wall Street Journal during a 2023 interview. "At home, Kerwin and I watched a lot of TV. Our sister Feleecia was too young," he said. "TV was pure escapism and exposed me to the outside world. I responded to characters outside the norm."
Kerwin has been singing and acting since age 5
Kerwin discovered the theater at a young age. He traveled internationally with the Atlanta Boy Choir before joining the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (YEA) theater company, performing in productions such as “Rhymes and Reasons” and “Times,” according to his website.
He’s later landed roles on TV, starring in South Side, CSI: Vegas and most notably, The Quest on Disney+.
Kenan's sister Feleecia is more private
While Kenan and Kerwin's acting careers put them in the spotlight, Feleecia has maintained a lower profile. Still, she can sometimes be spotted on her brothers' social media.
In honor of National Siblings Day in 2020, Kenan posted a photo of the trio on Instagram with a sweet message. "My hearts!!! Love you both," he wrote.
Though Feleecia hasn't launched a career in comedy, Kenan told The Wall Street Journal that humor runs in the family. "Everyone in my family was funny, so I wasn’t a standout growing up," he said.
Kerwin and Feleecia are Kenan’s biggest supporters
Both Kerwin and Feleecia were present to witness Kenan receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2022. The pair posed for photos and even got a special shout-out in Kenan’s speech.
“This is very surreal, it’s amazing. My whole family’s here,” the actor said at the event. “I never thought any of this would be possible. I just wanted to act and entertain and have a good time and put smiles on my family members’ faces.”
In his 2023 book, Kenan reflected on the life lessons he hopes to pass onto his own daughters, Georgia and Gianna — the most important being family is everything.
“At the end of the day, that sibling bond is the strongest thing on the planet,” he wrote.