‘Saturday Night Live’s Taran Killam To Portray Donald Trump
Saturday Night Live’s Taran Killam has landed the role of Donald Trump in the NBC sketch series, Deadline has revealed. It was reported that several of the SNL cast members were hoping to land the part of the Republican presidential candidate, but Killam prevailed. Former cast member Darrell Hammond, who appeared on the show from 1995-2011, previously portrayed the role of Trump. Per Deadline, Hammond was not asked to try out for the role this time around. Instead, the Saturday Night Live announcer will make an appearance in the role of former President Bill Clinton, an impersonation he does well.
Killam, 33, will make his debut as Trump in the 41st upcoming season of the Lorne Michaels show that is set to make its season premiere on October 3. Heavily covered in the media as of late for his presidential campaign and political views, Trump was recently portrayed by SNL alum-turned late night show host Jimmy Fallon in a skit on the Tonight Show. In good fun, Trump himself appeared alongside Fallon showing his sense of humor.
Two weeks to go. #SNL pic.twitter.com/lC8TMXZh5G
— Saturday Night Live (@nbcsnl) September 20, 2015
Killam, the husband of How I Met Your Mother actress Cobie Smulders, has been part of the cast of SNL since 2010. Killam has become well known for his talents at playing actor Brad Pitt, British journalist Piers Morgan, Interstellar star Matthew McConaughey, Christoph Waltz, Andy Cohen, Michael Cera, and rapper Eminem. Following the news of Killam landing the role, the general consensus across social media was positive, with many looking forward to the SNL cast member taking on the role of The Donald.
Season 41 of the comedy will also see singer controversial Miley Cyrus take the reins in her third appearance as host in the October 3 opener. Trainwreck writer and comedienne Amy Schumer will host the show on October 10 followed by the return of comedian and 30 Rock star Tracy Morgan on October 17. Morgan, who appeared for seven seasons on Saturday Night Live from 2006-2013, returns after suffering from injuries in a 2014 car accident that took the life of his friend James McNair.
The new season of Saturday Night Live is sure to be filled with plenty of hilarious political impersonations and sketches given the times.
[Photo by: Lloyd Bishop/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images]
