Lorne Michaels

Lorne Michaels has established himself as a prominent producer and writer in television and film, known for creating and overseeing groundbreaking comedy productions. After co-creating ‘NBC’s Saturday Night’ in 1975, which quickly evolved into the iconic ‘Saturday Night Live’ (SNL), Lorne Michaels established himself as a preeminent producer and writer in television comedy. His foundational work on SNL, alongside Dick Ebersol and Herb Schlosser, saw him serve as its original producer and writer, swiftly transitioning to his enduring role as Executive Producer. This landmark series earned immediate critical acclaim and revolutionized late-night television.

Prior to this, Michaels gained significant industry notice in 1973 by writing for ‘The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour’ and subsequently producing a series of specials for Lily Tomlin, with the inaugural special earning a prestigious Emmy Award, solidifying his reputation for groundbreaking comedic talent. In 1979, Michaels expanded his influential footprint by founding Broadway Video, a production powerhouse that has notably produced ‘Saturday Night Live’ since 1981. Under his leadership, Broadway Video also brought to television screens acclaimed series such as ‘The Kids in the Hall’ (1988–1995), ‘Late Night with Conan O’Brien’ (1993–2009), and the Emmy-winning ’30 Rock’ (2006–2013). Demonstrating his reach into film, Michaels has produced numerous successful features adapted from ‘SNL’ characters, including the fan-favorite ‘Coneheads’ (1993) and the culturally impactful ‘Mean Girls’ (2004).

In 2021, he received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, acknowledging his profound and lasting impact on American culture. His producing credits also include the 2024 film adaptation of Mean Girls, continuing to bring iconic characters to new audiences.