Lorne Michaels: The Man Behind 'SNL' Takes Center Stage in New Documentary
The stars of Saturday Night Live have spent decades in the spotlight, but the man who built the late-night comedy sketch series into a cultural institution has always preferred to stay just out of frame.
Lorne Michaels is the subject of a new documentary, Lorne. The film offers fans a rare look at how SNL was built and the creative force that shaped it.
Lorne was created by Morgan Neville, the Academy Award-winning filmmaker of 20 Feet from Stardom and Won't You Be My Neighbor? He created a documentary that utilizes archival footage, exclusive footage, and interviews with some of SNL's most iconic cast members and writers including Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney, Andy Samberg, Conan O'Brien, Chris Rock and many others who got their start on the series.
In a trailer, Michaels gives an unprecedented look at his life, SNL's creation, and why he believes the show is still as relevant today as it was when it made its late-night debut in 1975.
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He tells the cameras, "People have this idea that they know me." This led into a statement from Chris Rock, who joked, "For all I know, he works for the CIA."
The trailer leans into the mystery surrounding the SNL creator. Cast members from the past and present added their impressions of their boss.
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Sarah Sherman stated, "I think his favorite band is Nirvana." Maya Rudolph added, "There is a folkloric quality about 'Who is Lorne?'"
"He has this mystique about him," said Kristen Wiig. "Everything about this guy is so weird and interesting," John Mullaney exclaimed.
However, the trailer doesn't really address who Michaels is, leaving that for viewers to realize upon seeing the documentary. Rather it shows the television legend in a series of personal and professional moments where he doesn't speak directly to the cameras.
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But, in an interview for the Los Angeles premiere of the film, he sat down to try and demystify the myths that have surrounded him for over 50 years.
"From the beginning and this, I don't mean to sound as earnest as it will, but I thought what we were doing was important," he revealed. "I don't think I could have done it without that belief."
"And it turns out, after fifty years, it was important. But the essential thing we do...just turns out it still matters," Michaels added. "That's the surprising thing."
Per Variety, Michaels executive produces Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and Late Night With Seth Meyers. He has also produced the feature films Wayne's World, Mean Girls and The Three Amigos!
Lorne is currently in theaters.
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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 8:50 AM.