Is Lorne Michaels Leaving SNL? His Salary and Net Worth Explored
3 min read
CREDIT: FRAZER HARRISON/GETTY IMAGES
On Monday, December 20, “Saturday Night Live” co-creator Lorne Michaels revealed that he may consider retiring after the show’s 50th anniversary in 2024.
Even though Michaels considers the popular show his life’s work. He admitted to Gayle King that he had plans to leave within the next three years.
“Well, I think I’m committed to doing the show until its 50th anniversary, which is in three years. I’d like to see that through,” he admitted. His feeling was that now would be a good time to leave.
A key part of “SNL” is Michaels
The 44th Kennedy Center Honors named Michael among the honorees this year. The host of the fourth episode of the show, Candice Bergen, noted that the show changed people’s views. Under Michaels’ direction shaped the way people over a certain age think. Michaels’ direction was a major influence on how people react to politics and the government. Nobody has had such a profound effect on our culture before.
Michaels has become an integral part of “SNL.” Even though he’s produced other comedies like “30 Rock,” “Portlandia,” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” he remains synonymous with the program.
Is there anyone who could replace Lorne Michaels?
Gayle King asked if there could ever be a Saturday Night Live without Lorne Michaels ahead of the Kennedy Center Honors, in which Lorne will be honored for a lifetime of contributions to American culture.
After giving a coy little smile, Lorne replied, “Yeah, of course.”
When Gayle asked for more detail, Lorne laughed and said not much else.
Gayle asked Lorne if he still felt a rush when going through the famous double doors at Studio 8H at 30 Rockefeller Plaza during a backstage tour. Lorne only expresses those feelings during show days, in true Lorne form.
In Canada, where he grew up, he was always considered a funny guy with a reputation for getting into trouble if he didn’t watch his step.
When he created Saturday Night Live in 1975, he was able to utilize that sense of humor in a more effective way.
Without addressing Lorne’s actual retirement, it would be impossible to discuss his replacement. Gayle once said he didn’t even think about retirement.
“I think I’m committed to doing the show until its 50th anniversary, which is in three years.”
It’s his life’s work, and he doesn’t want it to go to the wrong hands.
Salary and Net Worth of Lorne Michaels
It’s not just that Lorne Michaels turned Saturday Night Live into the most-nominated program in Emmy history. SNL has received 94 awards and 370 nominations. He’s also the most-nominated individual – with 20 Emmy awards and 94 nominations.
During his career, 77-year-old Michaels has earned a lot of money. With a salary of $30 million annually, Lorne has managed to accumulate a net worth of $500 million over the course of his career.
While it’s no secret that he is wealthy, he certainly does a good job of keeping his luxe lifestyle to himself for someone worth half a billion dollars.
Ankita Khanrah
Ankita Khanrah is a second-year student of the Master of Communication and Journalism (Integrated) programme at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar.
