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Steve Martin turned down playing Tim Walz on 'Saturday Night Live.' Here are 7 other actors and comedians fans think should play him instead.

Steve Martin was the popular pick to play Tim Walz, but he turned down the job. Here's who else fans would like to see on "Saturday Night Live."

From left: A composite image of Jim Gaffigan, Tim Walz, and Jim O'Heir.
From left: Jim Gaffigan, Tim Walz, and Jim O'Heir.
  • Steve Martin said he rejected Lorne Michaels' offer to play Tim Walz on "Saturday Night Live."
  • Stand-up comedian Jim Gaffigan is a popular pick to play Kamala Harris' running mate on "SNL."
  • Fans also suggested Jim O'Heir, Al Franken, Danny DeVito, and Rick Moranis as options.

Steve Martin knows that fans wanted him to play Tim Walz on "Saturday Night Live," but he's already turned down the job.

"I wanted to say no and, by the way, he wanted me to say no," Martin told The Los Angeles Times, referring to a conversation with "SNL" creator and producer Lorne Michaels. "I said, 'Lorne, I'm not an impressionist. You need someone who can really nail the guy.' I was picked because I have gray hair and glasses."

Martin said that Michaels called him on Wednesday with an offer to portray Walz on the long-running sketch comedy series. Aside from saying that he's "not an impressionist," Martin also pointed to the time commitment as a drawback.

"It's ongoing," he said. "It's not like you do it once and get applause and never do it again. Again, they need a real impressionist to do that. They're gonna find somebody really, really good. I'd be struggling."

Walz was announced on Tuesday as Kamala Harris' vice presidential running mate for the 2024 US presidential election. The election will provide plenty of fodder for "SNL," which returns for season 50 on September 28. Maya Rudolph is reportedly set to return as Harris.

Since Walz was selected as Harris' running mate, the internet has been having a field day sharing their opinions on who should play him on the show. Martin was perhaps the most popular choice, but in light of his turning down the role, here are other actors who fans think could do the role justice.

Stand-up comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan is a frontrunner

Jim Gaffigan in May 2024.
Gaffigan in May.

"Why does everyone want Steve Martin to play Tim Walz on SNL when @JimGaffigan is right there?" one person wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

'Parks and Recreation' star Jim O'Heir is a strong contender

Jim O'Heir in May 2022.
O'Heir in May 2022.

"Congrats to Jim O'Heir on what I imagine will be a very busy autumn, specifically on Saturday nights," one person wrote on X, adding photos of O'Heir and Walz for comparison.

O'Heir responded to being a contender by writing on X that doesn't "mind being in the mix."

Danny DeVito is another pick

Danny DeVito in May 2024.
DeVito in May.

Former US senator and 'SNL' alum Al Franken is another name that's been suggested

Al Franken speaks onstage in April 2024.
Franken speaks onstage in April.

Many fans think 'Ghostbusters' star Rick Moranis should play Walz

rick moranis
Moranis in April 2017.

"And everyone saying Steve Martin is the "must play Tim Walz" on SNL, I raise you... Rick Moranis," a fan wrote on X.

"He won't do it but if SNL could get Rick Moranis to play Tim Walz…the internet would break," another person said.

People think John Goodman could embody Walz's demeanor

John Goodman in a suit
Goodman in June 2023.

"I keep saying John Goodman. He gets the enthusiasm down," one person said on X.

"John Goodman is right there," another fan said.

Actor and comedian Richard Kind has also been suggested

Richard Kind in July 2024.
Kind in July.

"Steve Martin turned down SNL when asked to play Tim Walz so I'm officially starting a DRAFT RICHARD KIND movement," a fan wrote on X.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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