Veteran Saturday Night Live star Kenan Thompson reveals his daughters find his on-screen persona so different from his real-life self that they have a hilarious and relatable question: “Why aren’t you like that guy?”
For over two decades, Kenan Thompson has been a cornerstone of Saturday Night Live, bringing to life a vast array of characters and impressions. Yet, despite his iconic status on late-night television, his most important critics—his daughters—remain unimpressed by the celebrity they see on screen, instead focusing on a much more personal and hilarious critique.
In a recent exclusive interview with PEOPLE, the 47-year-old comedian opened up about the dynamic between his on-screen persona and his life as a dad. Thompson revealed that his seven- and 11-year-old daughters have a simple, yet perplexing, question for him after watching his work: “Why aren’t you like that guy?”
“They’re like, ‘Why aren’t you like that guy?'” Thompson shared, highlighting the stark contrast his children perceive between the energetic, larger-than-life characters he portrays and his calm, casual demeanor at home. “I’m pretty calm and just very casual and not so explosive or you know, smirky until something funny is happening,” he explained, adding that he’s “not really a joke teller” in his everyday life. He describes himself as their “authoritarian” figure, a role that is drastically different from the comedic figures audiences know and love. “They definitely separate the two,” he confirmed. “I’m really like a whole bunch of different people that they don’t really ever get to experience.”
While his daughters may not fully grasp the nuances of sketch comedy, they are certainly fans of his work. Thompson noted that they are particularly fond of his earlier projects, especially the cult classic film Good Burger. The 1997 movie, which was based on a sketch from All That, starred Thompson and his frequent collaborator Kel Mitchell, cementing their status as ’90s icons. The pair first rose to fame as cast members on Nickelodeon’s All That in 1994 before starring in their own hit sitcom, Kenan & Kel, from 1996 to 2000.
Despite their fandom, Thompson’s kids are more interested in how his celebrity life intersects with their own. “They’re more so mad if I don’t take them to be around it, too,” he laughed. For instance, when he hosted Ariana Grande on the show, their reaction wasn’t about his performance but about a missed opportunity. “They’re like, ‘You had Ariana Grande on the show.’ I’m like, ‘Well, yeah, don’t you think that’s cool?’ [They’re like], ‘I wanted to meet her.'” Thompson’s candid admission paints a picture of a dad who is navigating the unique challenges of raising children in the public eye.
Far from being a burden, Thompson finds that his daughters are a vital source of cultural intelligence. “Especially my 11 year old now, like she’s the finger on the young pulse of all of it,” he said. His older daughter keeps him informed about the latest trends, from new artists and songs to soccer players and clubs. “She teaches me about every single soccer player, every single soccer club and it’s just like they are the ones that like are aware of all these new artists, new songs,” he explained, noting the rapid-fire nature of youth culture. “There’s so much angst,” he added with a laugh, describing how his children’s interests can shift from love to hate and back again in a matter of days.
This insight into Thompson’s family life offers a rare, humanizing glimpse behind the scenes of one of comedy’s longest-running careers. It reveals a dedicated father who is not defined by his fame but by his role as a parent, all while his daughters help him stay connected to the very cultural currents he helps shape on Saturday Night Live.
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