You know that guy from SNL who makes you spit out your drink laughing? The one who's been on forever? Yeah, Kenan Thompson. If you're searching for Kenan Thompson movies and TV shows, you probably already know he's comedy gold. But man, the dude's been in so much stuff over 30 years it's hard to keep track. I remember watching him as a kid on Nickelodeon and now my own kids watch him on SNL. Wild.
The Nickelodeon Years: Where It All Began
Before he became SNL royalty, Kenan was making kids lose their minds on Nickelodeon. His breakout? All That, the sketch comedy show that launched like a dozen careers. He joined in 1994 at just 16 years old. The energy he brought to recurring characters like Pierre Escargot or Miss Piddlin was insane.
Then came the legendary team-up with Kel Mitchell in Kenan & Kel. That show was pure 90s joy. Who didn't try quoting "Who loves orange soda?" at least once? Their chemistry was lightning in a bottle. Honestly though, some episodes haven't aged perfectly - the laugh track feels extra loud rewatching now - but the heart still shines.
The Good Burger Phenomenon
Let's talk about the movie that defined cafeteria conversations in '97: Good Burger. Kenan played Dexter Reed, the straight man to Kel's clueless Ed. Plot? Simple: two fast food workers save their joint from corporate competition. But the cultural impact? Huge.
- Release Date: July 25, 1997
- Box Office: $23.7 million (against $8.5M budget)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 33% critic score (but 71% audience!)
Critics hated it. Roger Ebert gave it 1.5 stars. But try telling that to 90s kids who still yell "Welcome to Good Burger!" Decades later, it's a cult classic. They even did an SNL sketch revival in 2019 proving nostalgia runs deep.
Saturday Night Live Era: Making History
Kenan joined SNL in 2003. Think about that run: over 20 seasons, making him the longest-tenured cast member ever. Let that sink in. He's outlasted entire presidential administrations.
What makes him so indispensable? First, his impressions are scary good. Steve Harvey's laugh? Spot on. David Ortiz's mannerisms? Nailed. But his original characters often steal the show:
- DJ Dynasty Handbag (the over-the-top talk show host)
- Lavar Ball (before the real one faded from headlines)
- Willie (the crotchety Renaissance Fair worker)
Funny story: I saw him do "What Up With That?" live once. The man kept dancing for seven minutes straight during a sketch malfunction. Drenched in sweat. Professionalism level: insane.
Major SNL Milestones
| Season | Notable Moment | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Season 29 (2003-04) | Joined as featured player | First major sketch: Debbie Downer at Disney World |
| Season 38 (2012-13) | Debuted "Black Jeopardy" | Became recurring cultural commentary masterpiece |
| Season 44 (2018-19) | Became longest-serving cast member | Surpassed Darrell Hammond's record (14 seasons) |
| Season 47 (2021-22) | First Emmy win for Original Music | Long overdue recognition for "Big Papi" song |
Kenan Thompson Movies Beyond SNL
While SNL eats up most of his year, Kenan's film work shows impressive range. Forget just comedy - he's done voice work, dramas, even horror. Though let's be real, his comedies hit hardest. Here's the essential filmography:
Top 5 Kenan Thompson Movie Performances
| Movie | Year | Role | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fat Albert | 2004 | Fat Albert | Carried a live-action adaptation with heart |
| Barbershop 2: Back in Business | 2004 | Kenard | Stole scenes with rapid-fire jokes |
| Snakes on a Plane | 2006 | Troy | Perfect comic relief in bonkers thriller |
| They Came Together | 2014 | Eggplant Waiter | Absurdist comedy gold (underrated gem) |
| Hubie Halloween | 2020 | Police Sgt. Steve Downey | Great chemistry with Adam Sandler |
Now about Fat Albert - that movie got mixed reviews but watching Kenan embody Bill Cosby's creation was fascinating. He brought genuine warmth to Albert. Shame the script didn't always back him up. The animated segments still hold up though.
TV Appearances Beyond SNL
SNL might be his home, but Kenan pops up everywhere. Seriously, flip channels and you'll find him. Some highlights:
Lead Roles Worth Binging
- Kenan (NBC 2021-2022): Single dad hosting morning show. Lasted 2 seasons. Had heart but struggled to find consistent laughs.
- Sit Down, Shut Up (Fox 2009): Voiced high school security guard. Canceled too fast - weirdly brilliant animated chaos.
Guest Spots You Might've Missed
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2018): Played a ridiculous firefighter. Only one scene but murdered it.
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2018): As celebrity guest at police gala. Perfect deadpan opposite Andy Samberg.
- Drunk History (Multiple): His James Hemings story (2019) is comedy education.
People sleep on his voice work. He was in The Smurfs movies as Greedy Smurf. Not Oscar material, but my nephew watched them 47 times so mission accomplished.
Awards and Recognition: Underrated?
Surprisingly light on major awards for someone this influential. His trophy case includes:
- 4 Emmy nominations (1 win in 2021 for "Big Papi" song)
- NAACP Image Award for SNL (2018)
- Critics Choice TV Award nomination (2021)
Should he have more hardware? Absolutely. The man anchors SNL week after year after decade. Maybe award shows struggle categorizing utility players.
Personal Take: Why Kenan Endures
After watching this guy for 30 years, here's why I think he lasts:
Relatability Factor: He never feels like a distant celebrity. Even playing aliens or presidents, there's an "everyman" quality. Maybe it's those expressive eyebrows radiating "you seeing this nonsense?"
Work Ethic: Dude survived Nickelodeon, sketch comedy grind, and Hollywood volatility. How? Showing up prepared. SNL writers constantly say he's the first to memorize scripts.
Generosity in Scenes: Watch him in ensemble pieces - he makes others funnier instead of hogging spotlight. Except maybe with Kel. Then it's glorious chaos.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kenan Thompson Movies and TV Shows
What was Kenan Thompson's first major role?
His breakout was on Nickelodeon's sketch show All That starting in 1994. The character that got attention? Pierre Escargot in the "French Cooking Show" sketches. Ridiculous French accent included.
How many Kenan Thompson movies are there?
He's appeared in over 30 films. Standouts include Good Burger (1997), Fat Albert (2004), and recent Netflix entries like Hubie Halloween (2020).
What Kenan Thompson TV shows besides SNL should I watch?
For nostalgia: Kenan & Kel. For underrated gems: Sit Down, Shut Up. His NBC sitcom Kenan (2021-2022) has sweet father-daughter moments too.
Will there be a Good Burger sequel?
Yes! Good Burger 2 premieres November 22, 2023 on Paramount+. Kenan and Kel return as Dexter and Ed. First footage shows them still rocking those iconic uniforms.
What SNL character made Kenan Thompson famous?
Early breakouts included "Scared Straight" inmate D'Juan and Diondre Cole on "What Up With That?" But Black Jeopardy host Darnell Hayes became cultural commentary gold.
Where to Stream Kenan Thompson Content
Tracking down his work isn't always easy - some Nickelodeon stuff drifts between platforms. Current hotspots:
| Platform | Key Titles Available | Missing Gems |
|---|---|---|
| Paramount+ | All That, Kenan & Kel, Good Burger (soon) | Early seasons of All That rotate occasionally |
| Peacock | Current SNL episodes, SNL archives | Pre-2013 SNL seasons inconsistently available |
| Netflix | Hubie Halloween, SNL compilations | Fat Albert unavailable currently |
| Prime Video | Barbershop 2, Snakes on a Plane (rental) | Kenan & Kel requires Paramount+ add-on |
Pro tip: Physical media still wins for deep cuts. Found D2: The Mighty Ducks (where teen Kenan played Russ Tyler) on Blu-ray after years of searching streaming wastelands.
The Future: What's Next for Kenan?
Beyond Good Burger 2, expect more SNL dominance. Rumors swirl about possible film projects with former Nickelodeon co-stars. Personally hoping for a dramatic turn - I think he's got a "Whiplash"-level intense performance hiding behind those comic chops.
His production company has deals with NBCUniversal too. Translation: more content control. Maybe that passion project about 90s kid stars we've wanted?
One certainty: whether through Kenan Thompson movies and TV shows, SNL, or surprise cameos, he'll keep being that rare entertainer who connects across generations. From parents who watched "All That" to kids now quoting his sketches? That's legacy.
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