Steve Martin Explains Why He Turned Down Gig To Play Tim Walz On ‘Saturday Night Live’

Comedian Steve Martin turned down the opportunity to play Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz on “Saturday Night Live,” despite social media users claiming there is a physical resemblance between the two.

The “Only Murders in the Building” star said he got a phone call on Wednesday from the sketch comedy show’s producer, Lorne Michaels, offering him the gig, but he turned it down.

“I wanted to say no and, by the way, he wanted me to say no,” Martin, 78, told the Los Angeles Times. “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.”

The comedian said he’d be “struggling” if he took on the challenge.

“It’s ongoing,” he continued. “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.”

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Social media users had been suggesting that Martin play Walz ever since presidential hopeful Kamala Harris announced the governor of Minnesota as her running mate. The rumors heated up after it was announced that “SNL” star Maya Rudolph would return to the series this fall to reprise her Harris impersonations. 

Rudolph played Harris on “SNL” during the Democratic presidential primaries in 2019. She continued the role after Harris was named VP, playing opposite Jim Carrey as Joe Biden. Deadline reported that the actress pushed back production of the third season of her Apple TV+ series “Loot” from August until January so she could return to the role on “SNL.”

The new season of “Saturday Night Live” is scheduled to premiere on September 28. 

Walz has been scrutinized since he was announced as Harris’ VP pick on Tuesday. The Minnesota Democrat has come under fire for his leftist policies on abortion, being an advocate for gender surgeries for minors, and regulations he implemented in his state during the COVID pandemic. Walz was also instrumental in allowing rioters to wreak havoc in Minneapolis in 2020 following the death of George Floyd. 

The most recent scandal making headlines has to do with stolen valor, as critics accuse Walz of exaggerating his military service for years. 

RELATED: Tim Walz Repeatedly Misconstrued His Military Service. Here Are The Examples.