Saturday Night Live has recently marked a significant milestone, celebrating its 50th anniversary with a star-studded event at 30 Rockefeller Center. The celebration featured appearances from notable celebrities such as Sabrina Carpenter and Kim Kardashian, along with many original cast members. However, some iconic figures from the show’s history, including Dan Aykroyd, were noticeably absent. Let’s take a closer look at which cast members did not attend this landmark event.
Cast Members Absent from SNL’s 50th Anniversary Special
Notably missing from the SNL 50th Anniversary Special were several key cast members, including Dan Aykroyd.
Two days prior to the celebration, Aykroyd shared his thoughts on SNL’s historic milestone, expressing pride in being a co-founder of the show. He described the telecast as “as historical as the next moon landing,” highlighting the gathering of comedy legends from across the decades under the leadership of Lorne Michaels. The reason for Aykroyd’s absence remains uncertain, sparking speculation among fans. Sources indicate he simply “could not come.”
In addition to Aykroyd, Bill Hader also declined to attend. Reports indicate that Hader politely rejected the invitation but appeared in a Volkswagon commercial during the broadcast, portraying his character Devin alongside former cast members Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen.
Additionally, former executive producer Dick Ebersol, who played a pivotal role in establishing SNL, was absent due to reported health issues.
Another notable absence was Dana Carvey, who was an integral part of the main cast from 1986 to 1993 and later made several guest appearances. The reason for his absence remains undisclosed.
Colin Quinn, recognized for hosting the Weekend Update segment from 1998 to 2000, also did not attend, adding to the list of cast members whose reasons for missing the event are still unclear.
Despite the absence of several beloved cast members, the SNL 50 celebration shone as a remarkable event. Along with Kardashian and Carpenter, the night attracted other stars including SNL alumni Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Chevy Chase, Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon, and Maya Rudolph.
