Quick Links
Jon Lovitz has amassed an absolute fortune throughout his ongoing career in comedy, film, and television. There's no doubt that his time on Saturday Night Live from 1985 to 1990 cemented his name as a Hollywood star. Jon joined SNL during a very tumultuous time. Even though he appeared alongside the likes of Robert Downey Jr. and Joan Cusack, Jon was the only one who was seen as a breakout star. It was SNL creator Lorne Michaels' first season back after a long hiatus and things weren't going well. Therefore, he fired all of his on-screen talents, with the exception of Jon. In part, this was due to the success of Jon's pathological liar character, one he'd frequently play alongside an entirely new cast.
The success of Lorne's second cast, following his return, is undeniable. Yet, Jon was still seen as the leading star. This is because he was exceptional at playing the lovable jerks. Jon also became known for playing characters like Hanukkah Harry, Tonto, Harvey Fierstein, Mephistopheles, and Michael Dukakis. While Jon has been very grateful for his breakout opportunity on SNL, he has also been critical of it. Here's what he's said about his time on SNL...
Jon Lovitz's Time On SNL
Much like what Bob Odenkirk said about his time on Saturday Night Live, Jon Lovitz told Vulture that his experience was doused in competition and attempting to prove one's self.
"Saturday Night Live, it was like every week you were auditioning to get on the show. Literally," Jon told Vulture. "You’d write scenes and you’d have a read-through and they’d pick ‘em, and out of 38 or 40 sketches they’d pick 13 that they would produce, and then you’d have dress rehearsal and they’d cut six. They only air eight. It was really competitive. You felt like you were auditioning for your job every week. That’s what it felt like."
Still, Jon was the breakout star from his season on SNL. In fact, he feels bad that the rest of the cast didn't get as much attention as he did. Especially when he had already been established and an entirely new group stepped into the limelight.
"I thought that that cast got a raw deal in the TV Guide. We had done 11 shows, but the guy only talked about the first three. And he didn’t mention the fact that by then my liar character was a big hit. I created my liar character, and after the first show, Lorne said, 'Why don’t you write it with A. Whitney Brown?' And I give him 50 percent credit because he really helped me expand the character."
Jon Lovitz Had A Feud With Lorne Michaels
Also like Bob Odenkirk, Job had a secret feud with SNL creator Lorne Michaels. While very little is known about what went down between them, Jon has claimed that the two have kissed and made up. In fact, they frequently play tennis together and Jon has been asked to appear as a guest star in numerous SNL sketches in recent years.
"I’ve been getting along great with him for years. We play tennis together. Everything’s fine," Jon said to Vulture. "We had our differences. I’m very grateful to him. He hired me on Saturday Night Live. I always say to him, 'Thank you for giving me the life I dreamed of.'"
What Characters Did Jon Lovitz Play On Saturday Night Live?
Jon was frequently in sketches as an actor on Saturday Night Live throughout the five seasons he starred on the show. Among his most famous characters are Hanukkah Harry, Evelyn Quince, Eddie Spimozo, Annoying Man, Mephistopheles, Harry Meyer, Tonto, Opera Man's Brother, Tommy Flanagan, and Vinnie Barber.
But Jon was also known for his celebrity impressions. Among his best were, Andrew Dice Clay, Prince Charles, Ringo Starr, Harvey Fierstein, Menachim Begin, Michael Dukakis, Howie Mandel, David Crosby, Gene Shalit, Sylvester Stallone, Yasser Arafat, and Alan Dershowitz in recent appearances.
During an interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal Jon claimed is he stunned when he looks back on his time on SNL.
"If I watch this stuff, I’m kind of impressed by it, to be honest, because it’s like, 'How did I do that?'" Jon admitted. "It’s like if you’re an athlete. It’s a strange feeling. So much time has passed that it’s almost like watching someone else. Could I do that again? Nooooo!"
Jon also looks back fondly on some of his experiences with his co-stars, namely Kevin Nealon and Phil Hartman who would play opposite his Tonto character as Tarzan and Frankenstein respectively.
While not all of his experiences at SNL were positive, Jon Lovitz is still thrilled to be asked back from time to time. This is because it was his home. The place that built his career. And the place that challenged him creatively.
"That’s what it feels like to me, going back [home], you know? It was my original job."
