For a while, Darrel Hammond was the longest-tenured cast member at SNL. Then came Kenan, stealing the title away. He deserves it, though. The guy has been making sketches since 2003. That’s easily more than 20 seasons!
How much money did he gather over the years? Kenan Thompson’s net worth is estimated to be around $9 million. But life wasn’t always smooth sailing for this comedian. In today’s post, you’ll find five interesting facts about his paychecks and biggest losses!
Image source: Google
5 Facts About Kenan Thompson’s Earnings
Ready for those fun facts? Off we go!
1. He’s One of the Highest-Paid SNL Cast Members
I don’t know Kenan Thompson’s exact SNL take-home, but it’s safe to say it’s about $25,000 per episode. Why do I say that? Reportedly, that’s Colin Jost’s wage, and the most anyone can make on the show. And since Thompson has been there first, it’s unlikely that he makes less than Jost.
2. He Still Thinks SNL’s Starting Salaries Are Low
For what it’s worth, a first-year cast member doesn’t make anywhere near Jost’s take-home. Pete Davidson joked about the starting salaries at SNL, saying that his first paycheck was only enough to cover food expenses.
Image source: Instagram
Thompson more or less agreed with Davidson’s comments. He said that working at SNL is initially more about having that sort of job than the paycheck itself.
3. One of His First Paycheck Was for $800
The SNL star had a penchant for performing ever since he was a kid. He watched sketches with his brother, took acting classes at five, and took part in school productions. He also traveled with the Atlanta Boy Choir and joined the YEA theatre company.
Soon, Kenan Thompson started landing TV roles and commercials. His first paycheck was for around $800. Of course, he was 12 at the time and considered it a fortune!
4. He Lost His Nickelodeon Money to a Con Artist
Eventually, the money started rolling in. He was, after all, a child star with two Nickelodeon shows under his belt. But there was trouble ahead—Thompson fell victim to a con artist. He met a guy from the community who claimed he could help him manage his money, and the young star believed him.
Image source: Google
Fast forward to when Thompson was at the real estate office, trying to buy his first home with those sweet Nickelodeon earnings. The accountant guy? He didn’t show up with the check. To Thompson, it felt like he had gone from rags to riches, only to go back to rags again. That must’ve been a tough blow!
5. Lots of Revenue Streams Pour Into His Net Worth
Besides the SNL money, Kenan Thompson has the revenue from his memoir and the royalties from his NBC sitcom.
Oh, and don’t forget about all the commercials. Thompson has done commercials for Nike (where he did LeBron’s voice), Fandango, Nintendo, and Autotrader.
Final Thoughts
To recap, Kenan Thompson is worth around $9 million, and his wealth will likely grow from here. But do you think this estimation is fit for the guy who’s been with the late-night comedy show since 2003?
Featured image source: Instagram
