Kenan Thompson
Kenan Thompson (/ˈkiːnən/; born May 10, 1978)[1] is an American comedian and actor. Thompson has been a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live since 2003, making him the longest-tenured cast member in the show's history.[2] He was also the first regular cast member born after the show's premiere in 1975. Outside of SNL, Thompson starred on NBC's sitcom Kenan from 2021 to 2022.
Kenan Thompson
May 10, 1978
- Comedian
- actor
1994–present
2
Thompson began his acting career in the early 1990s, and was an original cast member of Nickelodeon's sketch comedy series All That (1994–2005), where he often collaborated with co-star Kel Mitchell. Beginning in 1996, they starred in their own sitcom Kenan & Kel (1996–2000). Thompson also had roles in The Mighty Ducks franchise, Good Burger, and as the title character in the 2004 film Fat Albert.
He has been nominated six times for a Primetime Emmy Award for his work on SNL, winning once.[3] He is ranked at No. 88 on VH1's 100 Greatest Teen Stars.
Early life[edit]
Thompson was born on May 10, 1978, in Columbus, Ohio.[4] His parents are Fletcher and Elizabeth Ann Thompson. He has two siblings: an older brother and a younger sister. His family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, when he was 9 months old.[4] Thompson's mother enrolled him in acting classes at age five. His first role as Toto in a church production of The Wiz had no lines.[2] He continued acting throughout his youth, appearing in school plays such as The Gingerbread Duck.[5] He auditioned for a theater company, The Youth Ensemble of Atlanta (YEA).[6] As a child, he was a fan of The Price Is Right, which he has called "my first love" and "very joyful viewing" that shaped his acting style.[7]
Career[edit]
1994–2002: Breakthrough with Kenan and Kel[edit]
One of Thompson's earliest roles was as an entertainment reporter for CNN's "Real News for Kids".[8] He went on to star in the original run of All That for its first five seasons, playing such characters as Principal Pimpell, Miss Piddlin, Pierre Escargot, and Superdude. He starred as Kenan Rockmore on Nickelodeon's Kenan & Kel from 1996 to 2000, mostly while still working on All That.[8] He began acting in his first film, D2: The Mighty Ducks, while attending Tri-Cities High School, a visual and performing arts magnet school in East Point, Georgia.
Thompson has starred in several films including Good Burger (1997), based on the All That sketch of the same title, and Fat Albert (2004), in which he played the title character. He has also had supporting roles in the D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994), D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996), as well as films such as Heavyweights (1995), Big Fat Liar (2002), Love Don't Cost a Thing (2003), and My Boss's Daughter (2003).
Personal life[edit]
Thompson married model Christina Evangeline[42] on November 11, 2011.[43] Together, they have two daughters, born in June 2014,[44][45] and August 2018.[46]
On April 7, 2022, it was announced that the two had been separated for over a year, and are co-parenting their daughters.[47] On June 15, 2022, it was announced that Thompson was officially filing for divorce.[48]
