Damon Wayans Reveals Why He “Purposefully” Got Fired from SNL

Damon Wayans, a cast member of Saturday Night Live in 1985, recently revealed why he intentionally got himself fired from the show. Appearing in the docuseries SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, Wayans detailed the challenges he faced during his brief stint on the NBC sketch series.

The comedian had high hopes when joining SNL, believing it was his calling. However, he quickly became frustrated with the stereotypical roles assigned to him. Wayans explained that despite pitching his own ideas, they were often dismissed, and he was instead cast in roles he found offensive. “Eddie [Murphy] warned me about this,” Wayans said, referencing advice from the legendary comedian who also faced similar struggles on the show.

The breaking point came during a live sketch titled “Mr. Monopoly.” After one of his skits was cut last minute, Wayans decided to perform his lines in an exaggerated manner, deliberately defying the script. While the audience laughed, the move broke SNL’s strict rule against surprises. For more updates check our Youtube channel.

“I snapped. I just did not care. … I purposefully did that because I wanted him [SNL creator Lorne Michaels] to fire me,” Wayans admitted.

Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator, described the firing as necessary, emphasizing that unpredictability during live sketches was unacceptable. Author James Andrew Miller noted, “Damon broke the ultimate golden rule: no surprises.”

After leaving SNL, Wayans channeled his frustrations into new opportunities. He starred in successful films like Mo’ Money and Major Payne and became a key figure in the hit sketch comedy show In Living Color. The latter allowed him to create characters on his own terms, showcasing his immense talent and creativity.

Reflecting on the experience, Wayans returned to host SNL in 1995, showing no hard feelings toward the show. His story highlights the challenges of creative expression within rigid systems.

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