Kenan Thompson Quotes

Powerful Kenan Thompson for Daily Growth

About Kenan Thompson

Kenan Thompson, born on May 10, 1978, in Atlanta, Georgia, is an accomplished American actor, comedian, and producer best known for his long-running tenure as a cast member on NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL). Thompson's comedy career began at the age of 15 when he started performing stand-up comedy at local clubs in his hometown. His talent was recognized, and he was offered a scholarship to study acting at the Nick Cannon Foundation for the Arts in North Carolina. In 2003, Thompson joined SNL, making him the first African American male to become a full-time cast member since Eddie Murphy in 1984. He has since broken records, becoming the longest-tenured African American cast member in the show's history. Thompson is known for his versatile impressions and memorable characters, such as Steve Harvey, President Barack Obama, and various women, including Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj. Thompson's work on SNL has earned him numerous accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics and three Teen Choice Awards. In addition to his work on the show, he has also appeared in films like 'SNL Movie: Live from New York,' 'Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special,' and 'The Smurfs.' Off-screen, Thompson is a dedicated philanthropist. He co-founded the Kenan & Kel Boys & Girls Club, a youth center in his hometown of Atlanta, and has worked with various charities, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and UNICEF. Thompson continues to be an influential figure in comedy and entertainment, using his platform to address social issues and inspire younger generations. His unique blend of humor and versatility has solidified his position as a comedy legend.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think one of the greatest gifts you can give another human is empathy."

This quote by Kenan Thompson highlights the importance of empathy as a powerful gift that we can offer to others. Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person, fosters compassion, kindness, and mutual respect among individuals. By offering empathy, we create stronger connections and contribute positively to the emotional well-being of those around us. This, in turn, cultivates a more inclusive, understanding, and supportive society for all its members.


"Laughter is a universal language, it doesn't matter where you're from, it speaks to everyone."

Kenan Thompson's quote emphasizes that laughter transcends cultural boundaries, serving as a universal form of communication that is universally understood and appreciated by all people across the globe. Laughter, in this context, symbolizes unity and harmony among diverse communities, as it unites individuals through shared experiences and emotions, ultimately fostering mutual understanding and empathy.


"You have to be true to yourself and follow your own path. If you do that, you'll meet other people who are on the same path, and then you can walk with them for a while."

Kenan Thompson's quote underscores the importance of self-discovery and authenticity. By staying true to oneself and following one's unique path in life, one will eventually encounter others who share similar values or goals. This connection serves as a shared foundation for meaningful relationships and experiences, allowing individuals to walk together on their respective journeys. Essentially, the quote highlights that living authentically increases the likelihood of finding kindred spirits along the way.


"I feel like comedy is very important because it gives you a sense of normalcy and helps you to get through tough times."

Kenan Thompson's quote highlights the power of humor in helping individuals cope with difficult situations. Comedy serves as a means of finding "normalcy" amidst hardship, offering a temporary escape or perspective shift that can make otherwise challenging times more bearable. By laughing at common experiences, shared struggles, or absurdities, people can connect, find comfort, and ultimately persevere.


"Being able to make someone laugh, even for just a moment, can really brighten their day and bring some happiness into their life."

The quote underscores the power and importance of humor in our lives. By making someone laugh, one not only creates a brief, joyous moment, but also has a significant impact on their overall well-being by bringing happiness and lightening their day. This highlights the therapeutic effect of laughter and emphasizes its capacity to uplift and positively influence people's emotions in a positive manner.


I never did standup before. It just looked like it was really hard, looked like there was like up days and down days - and I'm too emotionally unstable for that. I need to always be funny and always be loved.

- Kenan Thompson

Always, Before, Looked, Unstable

There's a lot of theaters in New York. You can always go out and be around a lot of like-minded comedians.

- Kenan Thompson

New, Go, Always, Theaters

I used to go trick-or-treating all the time. When I was young we had the plastic mask with the rubber band that would cut your face, and you couldn't breathe and it was really sweaty! I had the Incredible Hulk and Spider-Man. I used to love the Incredible Hulk, and then one year I had the great idea to be Mr. T, and that was an awesome costume too.

- Kenan Thompson

Love, Young, Cut, Spider-Man

I started working right away as a kid, so I didn't have a chance to go to improv school or anything like that; I was already a working actor.

- Kenan Thompson

Chance, Away, Like, Right Away

I've always just tried to continue to be a working actor and let the work speak for itself as opposed to promoting myself as someone who needs to be in everybody's living room.

- Kenan Thompson

Always, Needs, Promoting, Working Actor

I guess I was just a young, fun-loving kid! Me and my older brother was always quoting 'Coming to America,' 'Spies Like Us,' '48 Hours,' and all those movies, just having fun amongst ourselves.

- Kenan Thompson

Kid, Young, Older Brother, Spies

I want to open an eye or two about what being an actor is really like because it's not all red carpets and photo shoots. It's like trying to get that job and going from job to job.

- Kenan Thompson

Want, Like, Going, Photo Shoots

I support the homies, like Mike Jay and Hannibal Buress. And I listen to Comedy Central Radio in the car.

- Kenan Thompson

Like, Jay, Mike, Hannibal

As far as my sketches, I've always loved 'What's Up With That.' It's just a whole lot of fun, and I love 'Black Jeopardy,' too. Any kind of host capacity, I'm usually pretty good at.

- Kenan Thompson

Love, Good, Whole, Sketches

It's just a challenge doing live television every week; you know, it's a challenge to come up with new material every week and stuff like that and try to keep it current, you know what I mean? Like, it's just, you know, it's a kind of a stressful environment.

- Kenan Thompson

Doing, Week, Current, New Material

I'm a happy person, and I want everybody else to be happy. Nothing wrong with that.

- Kenan Thompson

Person, Everybody, Else, Happy Person

I wish we could just pick up and do 'Kenan & Kel: The Grown-Up Years,' getting everyone back working together. I feel like it would be an awesome moment for everybody.

- Kenan Thompson

Back, Feel, Everybody, Working Together

I'm a fan of Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, and all these people. If I could end up like Jonah Hill, winding up in a Brad Pitt movie, that would be awesome.

- Kenan Thompson

Movie, Like, Could, Jonah

It's nice to predict your schedule, especially with a child. It's nice to have work and be in a stable place, which isn't always easy for actors.

- Kenan Thompson

Work, Always, Which, Stable

I'm very happy here at 'SNL.' I've never been in a hurry to leave because it's such a special place. It's never the same when you leave and come back.

- Kenan Thompson

Here, Been, Very, Special Place

Comedy is here to bring joy to the world, whether you want to hear the curse words or not.

- Kenan Thompson

Joy, World, Here, Hear

Leaving Nickelodeon was definitely an adjustment. Because then, it was back to the real world of, 'Now I'm an adult looking for a job,' as opposed to a kid that's getting introduced to all these people like, 'Look how cute this little kid is. Don't you want to put him on your show?'

- Kenan Thompson

Kid, Back, Show, Adjustment

When I started acting, doing theater stuff at a young age, I was always the comic relief-type roles, so I knew I had a funny bone and could make groups of people laugh, but I didn't really take it seriously until I started getting paid on a weekly basis; then I was like, 'Oh, well, this could be a lifestyle.'

- Kenan Thompson

Doing, Young, Roles, Lifestyle

I want to get into producing and writing more for myself - setting up my own films and seeing what kind of personal touch I can put on movies, as opposed to just being in them.

- Kenan Thompson

Own, I Can, Put, Producing

Kids have awkward moments.

- Kenan Thompson

Moments, Kids, Awkward

I owe a lot to Nickelodeon.

- Kenan Thompson

Lot, Nickelodeon, Owe

'SNL' has kind of been like my school.

- Kenan Thompson

School, Like, Been, SNL

It's just cool to witness talent.

- Kenan Thompson

Cool, Talent, Just, Witness

I don't necessarily have a traditional stand-up set.

- Kenan Thompson

Set, Necessarily, Stand-Up, Traditional

My immediate family is real close-knit.

- Kenan Thompson

Family, Real, Immediate

I just try to deliver the laughs every time I get the opportunity.

- Kenan Thompson

Opportunity, Try, Get, Deliver

I'm silly. I can't help it.

- Kenan Thompson

Help, Silly

I'm very friendly. I get along with people.

- Kenan Thompson

Get, Very, Along, Friendly

I always just want to do non-typical voices for some reason.

- Kenan Thompson

Reason, Some, Always, Voices

I don't know what to do with babies.

- Kenan Thompson

Know, Babies

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