40 Facts About Lorne Michaels

Early Life and Education

Lorne Michaels, the mastermind behind Saturday Night Live (SNL), has a fascinating background that shaped his illustrious career.

1. 01Birth and Early Life: Lorne David Lipowitz was born on November 17, 1944, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
2. 02Family Background: He was born to Florence (née Becker) and Abraham Lipowitz, a Jewish family.
3. 03Misconceptions About Birthplace: Contrary to popular belief, Michaels was not born on a kibbutz in British Palestine but in Toronto.
4. 04Early Education: Michaels attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute and later graduated from University College, Toronto, where he majored in English in 1966.

Career Beginnings

Before becoming a household name, Michaels had humble beginnings in the entertainment industry.

5. 05Career Beginnings: Michaels started his career as a writer and broadcaster for CBC Radio before moving to Los Angeles in 1968 to work as a writer for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show.
6. 06Comedy Specials: In the early 1970s, Michaels starred in The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour, a series of comedy specials on CBC.

The Birth of SNL

Michaels' most significant contribution to television came in 1975 with the creation of Saturday Night Live.

7. 07Creation of SNL: In 1975, Michaels co-created Saturday Night Live with Dick Ebersol and NBC president Herb Schlosser. The show initially aired as NBC's Saturday Night before changing its name to Saturday Night Live in 1977.
8. 08Impact of SNL: SNL quickly established itself as a cutting-edge and unpredictable show, launching the careers of many successful comedians, including John Belushi, Bill Murray, and Eddie Murphy.
9. 09Executive Producer: Michaels was not only the creator but also the executive producer of SNL, a role he has held intermittently since its inception in 1975.
10. 10On-Screen Appearances: Michaels occasionally appears on-screen during SNL, known for his deadpan humor.

Awards and Recognitions

Michaels' work has earned him numerous accolades over the years.

11. 11Emmy Awards: Michaels has received 21 Primetime Emmy Awards from 106 nominations, holding the record as the most nominated individual in the award show's history.
12. 12Awards and Honors: Michaels has been awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2004 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016. He also received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2021.

Other Television Ventures

Beyond SNL, Michaels has produced several other successful TV shows.

13. 13Other TV Shows: In addition to SNL, Michaels has produced several other notable TV shows, including The Kids in the Hall, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
14. 14Late Night Series: Michaels has been the executive producer of the Late Night series since 1993, including shows hosted by Conan O'Brien and Jimmy Fallon.
15. 1530 Rock: He also executive produced the NBC series 30 Rock, which ran from 2006 to 2013.
16. 16The Tonight Show: In 2013, Michaels took over as the executive producer for The Tonight Show, which moved to New York in 2014 under the title The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

Film Productions

Michaels has also made significant contributions to the film industry.

17. 17Film Productions: Michaels has ventured into film production, producing movies like Wayne's World, Mean Girls, and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.
18. 18Film Credits: Some of his notable film credits include Mr. Mike's Mondo Video, Gilda Live, Nothing Lasts Forever, ¡Three Amigos!, and Wayne's World.

Broadway Video

Michaels' production company, Broadway Video, has been instrumental in his success.

19. 19Broadway Video: In 1979, Michaels founded the production company Broadway Video, which has produced SNL since 1981 and other shows like The Kids in the Hall.
20. 20Broadway Video Productions: Under his production company Broadway Video, Michaels produced The Kids in the Hall, which began airing in Canada in 1988 and later moved to HBO and CBS.

Personal Life and Citizenship

Michaels' personal life and citizenship status have also been points of interest.

21. 21Personal Life: Michaels has been married three times: first to Rosie Shuster from 1967 to 1980, then to Susan Forristal from 1981 to 1987, and finally to Alice Barry, his former assistant, whom he married in 1991.
22. 22Citizenship: Michaels became a U.S. citizen in 1987 and was inducted into the Order of Canada in 2002.

Notable Moments and Trivia

Michaels' career is filled with interesting anecdotes and lesser-known facts.

23. 23Donation of Archives: In 2025, Michaels donated his archives to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin, which will become available for research in January 2026.
24. 24SNL Reunion Attempts: In 1976, Michaels attempted to reunite The Beatles on SNL by offering them $3,000, which they declined.
25. 25George Harrison Appearance: During an episode of SNL in 1976, musical guest George Harrison appeared, but Michaels required all four Beatles to be present for their reunion offer.
26. 26Paramount Deal Rejection: In the 1978-1979 season of SNL, Michaels was offered a deal to produce nine features from Paramount but turned it down to take a three-picture deal from Warner Brothers.
27. 27MGM Deal: Michaels had a deal to produce movies for MGM in the early 1980s but only managed to produce Nothing Lasts Forever, a black-and-white surreal sci-fi comedy.
28. 28The New Show: During his hiatus from SNL, Michaels created another sketch show titled The New Show, which aired on NBC in 1984 but failed to gain the same popularity as SNL.
29. 29The Canadian Conspiracy: In the 1980s, Michaels appeared in an HBO mockumentary titled The Canadian Conspiracy, where he was portrayed as a key figure in a supposed Canadian media conspiracy.

Recent Projects

Even in recent years, Michaels continues to be a driving force in television.

30. 30Portlandia Production: He also executive produced Portlandia, a sketch comedy series that aired on IFC from 2011 to 2018.
31. 31A.P. Bio Production: In addition to his other projects, Michaels was an executive producer for A.P. Bio, which aired on NBC and Peacock from 2018 to 2021.
32. 32Documentary Now Production: Michaels has been involved in producing Documentary Now, a variety sketch series that aired on IFC from 2015 to 2022.

Legacy and Impact

Michaels' influence on comedy and television is undeniable.

33. 33Legacy and Impact: Lorne Michaels' legacy extends far beyond his numerous awards and accolades. He has significantly influenced American television comedy and continues to be a driving force in the entertainment industry.
34. 34SNL's Influence: SNL has been a launching pad for countless comedians and actors, many of whom have gone on to have successful careers in film and television.
35. 35Mentorship: Michaels is known for his mentorship of young comedians, helping to shape the careers of many who have worked on SNL.
36. 36Cultural Impact: The sketches and characters created on SNL have become a significant part of American pop culture, often reflecting and shaping societal trends and issues.

Fun Facts

Here are some fun and lesser-known facts about Lorne Michaels.

37. 37On-Screen Persona: Michaels is known for his deadpan humor and occasional on-screen appearances during SNL sketches.
38. 38Beatles Fan: Michaels is a huge Beatles fan, which led to his famous attempt to reunite the band on SNL.
39. 39Canadian Pride: Despite becoming a U.S. citizen, Michaels has always maintained a strong connection to his Canadian roots.
40. 40Archives Donation: Michaels' decision to donate his archives to the Harry Ransom Center ensures that future generations will have access to his extensive body of work.

Lorne Michaels: A Comedy Legend

Lorne Michaels has shaped television comedy for over five decades. Born in Toronto in 1944, he co-created Saturday Night Live in 1975, a show that launched countless careers. Michaels' influence extends beyond SNL, producing hits like The Kids in the Hall, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and 30 Rock. His work earned him 21 Primetime Emmy Awards, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Michaels' production company, Broadway Video, continues to create iconic content. Despite a few missteps, like The New Show, his impact on comedy is undeniable. Married three times and a U.S. citizen since 1987, Michaels' legacy is cemented in the entertainment world. From Wayne's World to Mean Girls, his contributions are vast. Lorne Michaels remains a pivotal figure in shaping modern comedy.