Kenan Thompson has now been on NBC's flagship sketch show Saturday Night Live for 15 years. Many incredibly talented performers and comedians depart the show after a single season, others last a few and those that make a special home for themselves on the program will sometimes stay for as many as 7 or 8.
Only Thompson —thanks to his versatility, charisma and endless sense of joy— has managed to stay on the show so long. Now the Emmys have finally seen fit to honor his talents with a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Thompson responded to the news on Twitter with a heartfelt message.
Words cannot express how elated and humbled I am by these announcements today!!! Thank you from the bottom (cont) https://t.co/L73k4lSSi4— Kenan Thompson (@Kenan Thompson)1531435180.0
In full, it reads:
Words cannot express how elated and humbled I am by these announcements today!!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart @TelevisionAcad !!
To my insanely talented sisters @Lesdoggg, Kate Mckinnon, and Aidy Bryant, So very very proud of you!!! Also, super honored to be in it again with my bro @chancetherapper!
Shouts out to @Reddsaidit, @will_stephen and @elijahjams!!! Great work writing that one boys!!! You crushed it!!!!
Congrats to everyone on these lists today or not!! We're all blessed to be able to do what we love!!!
Congrats to the SNL writers too!! You crushed it!
My mistake Kate Mckinnon. I am envious that she doesn't do social media!!
@officialkenan Kenan!!! Congrats buddy!!! So deserved!! ❤️— Melissa Villaseñor (@Melissa Villaseñor)1531444723.0
Thompson's fans were overjoyed for him.
@officialkenan https://t.co/IjPrtwyjG3— Jason (@Jason)1531439511.0
It seemed like the perfect time to break out some GIFs.
@officialkenan https://t.co/BgqT5ohQCP— Julie (@Julie)1531443243.0
@officialkenan You deserve it!!! https://t.co/Avpi5GvrUv— That George Mcgaffin (@That George Mcgaffin)1531435389.0
In many people's opinions, the nomination was LONG overdue.
I hope Kenan Thompson wins for best supporting actor because he has earned that honor since he was 16 years old https://t.co/gFvlfAV9wK— what about lexy? ⛵ (@what about lexy? ⛵)1531412728.0
Thompson was nominated in 2017 as a writer on the sketch "Last Christmas," with Chance the Rapper, Will Stephen and Eli Brueggemann.
OMG HOW IS THIS ONLY KENAN THOMPSON’S SECOND EMMY NOM?! https://t.co/CEWgX6xAKn— Angelique Jackson (@Angelique Jackson)1531410998.0
But now he's getting some attention for his acting.
Honestly Kenan Thompson should have won an Emmy at age 16, he's been ridiculously funny since Nickelodeon's All Tha… https://t.co/4Pro98Q6kF— Samantha ⭕🎶 👨🚀🚀 💣💥 (@Samantha ⭕🎶 👨🚀🚀 💣💥)1531427561.0
Happy for SNL’s Alec, Aidy, Kate and Leslie, but especially happy for Kenan Thompson!! Thrilled he’s being recogniz… https://t.co/FCLxnfyJ10— Bryan Tucker (@Bryan Tucker)1531412129.0
Kenan Thompson, the longest-tenured cast member on the most Emmy-nominated show of all time finally has his own act… https://t.co/VWKBSzJbLp— Jillian Sederholm (@Jillian Sederholm)1531412543.0
Everyone who's worked with Thompson agrees; his impact on the show deserves recognition.
This man has been cracking us up on SNL for over a decade. First ever nomination today. I hope he wins retroactivel… https://t.co/NIWiQp2NEi— Ava DuVernay (@Ava DuVernay)1531416349.0
Bill Hader has Emmy noms for Barry and one for SNL. KENAN THOMPSON finally got the Emmy nom he deserves. Maya Rudol… https://t.co/VwHhj7mUMu— ashley 🇵🇷 (@ashley 🇵🇷)1531412223.0
Congratulations, Kenan! Best of luck this Emmy season!
Kenan Thompson has been in my life first on kids SNL and now on adult SNL and I am thankful for that.— Ben Wiese (@Ben Wiese)1531452098.0