Steve Martin Officially Declines SNL’s Offer to Play VP Candidate Tim Walz: ‘I’d Be Struggling’

Kimberly Roots
·1-min read

Steve Martin heard the Internet clamoring for him to play Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on Saturday Night Live. He even joked about the possibility. But now he’s officially bowing out of the race to play the fictional version of Kamala Harris’ real vice presidential running mate this season.

Martin told the Los Angeles Times Wednesday that SNL boss Lorne Michaels called him earlier that day to offer him the recurring gig in Season 50, and he turned it down.

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“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.”

“I’d be struggling” to embody Walz, he added, despite the similarities in their appearances.

Prior to talking with the Times, Martin joined the conversation about his potential casting on Threads, posting: “I just learned that Tim Walz wants to go on the road with Marty Short,” the veteran comedian’s longtime partner in crime (and Only Murders in the Building co-star).

SNL vet Maya Rudolph reportedly will reprise her portrayal of Harris this fall.

Now that Martin’s officially out of the running, who would you like to see play Walz on SNL? Hit the comments and let us know!

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