‘SNL’ Legend, 73, Explains Why He Skipped the 50th Anniversary Special originally appeared on Parade.
While SNL 50 was jam-packed with stars like Tom Hanks, Martin Short, Steve Martin and more, there was one alum who fans were shocked not to see. Dan Aykroyd didn’t make an appearance at the long-running comedy show’s big night, but he recently revealed it was his decision to skip out.
“I wanted to be at home and I wanted to watch the show [from] beginning to end,” the Ghostbusters star told Entertainment Weekly at Comic-Con 2025. “I knew if I was there, I’d be in a dressing room, I’d be working.”
Aykroyd continued, “I wanted to see it live. I’m a fan of the show today, and I watch it all the time. I love these new players; I think they’re just great. I just wanted to see and live nostalgically with my family in my own home, eating my own popcorn.”
Even though Aykroyd opted out of attending the event, some of his fellow Saturday Night Live co-stars made appearances like Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman and Garrett Morris. Chevy Chase was spotted at the venue, but the National Lampoon’s Vacation actor was never seen on camera during the broadcast.
Curtin and Newman brought a framed photo of their late castmate Gilda Radner onstage during the final “Goodnights” segment, honoring her legacy in one of the night’s most tearjerking moments.
When asked which part of SNL 50 hit him hardest, the Coneheads star replied, “Laraine’s piece definitely. That was beautiful. That was wonderful.”
Aykroyd was one of the “Not Ready for Prime Time Players,” the original sketch group launched by Lorne Michaels when Saturday Night Live premiered in 1975. He was the youngest cast member at just 22 years old and also served as one of the show’s principal writers. Aykroyd and the late John Belushi skyrocketed to fame with their iconic Blues Brothers sketches before departing the show after four seasons in 1979. Three years later, Belushi died from a drug overdose at age 33.
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‘SNL’ Legend, 73, Explains Why He Skipped the 50th Anniversary Special first appeared on Parade on Jul 25, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
