It may have taken a few months, but Dan Aykroyd is finally revealing why he did not attend “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” earlier this year.
As it turns out, Aykroyd is a fan of the show who wanted to experience the event like one.
“I wanted to be at home and I wanted to watch the show beginning to end,” he told Entertainment Weekly at Comic-Con 2025 this week.
“I knew if I was there, I’d be in a dressing room, I’d be working,” he continued. “I wanted to see it live. I’m a fan of the show today, and I watch it all the time. I love these new players; I think they’re just great. I just wanted to see and live nostalgically with my family in my own home, eating my own popcorn.”
A few days after the special aired, Aykroyd acknowledged his absence on X, while congratulating show creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels. He didn’t explain then why he wasn’t at the special in person, though.
“All Heads up toasting triumphant SNL 50th,” Aykroyd wrote. “Advantage of not attending — got to see every second of concert and show on TV. Quote from my children: ‘Look at daddy’s smile!’ Had it from start to finish. Congratulations Lorne. Well done as usual.”
Aykroyd, who was on hand for the show’s 40th anniversary special in 2015 to perform in an updated version of his classic Bass-O-Matic sketch, was in the original “SNL” cast in 1975. That group, known as the Not Ready for Prime Time Players, also included Gilda Radner, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris and Laraine Newman.
Aykroyd starred on “SNL” for four seasons and was the only remaining living member of the original cast not at “SNL50.”
Prior to the special airing, Aykroyd wrote about how thrilling it was bound to be.
“Cracking a Head with pride at having been a co-founder of SNL along with everyone we were together with in those four years, five decades ago,” he wrote on X on Feb. 14.
“This telecast is as historical as the next moon landing. Comedy stars of our age all gathered under the aegis of America’s greatest living impresario, my boss Lorne Michaels. People it’s friggin’ Holy!!”
Aykroyd was one of the highest profile “SNL” alums not at “SNL50.” Dana Carvey said he missed the event because he had the flu, while a rep for Bill Hader said he had a scheduling conflict. Colin Quinn was also not at the special. TODAY.com had previously reached out to his rep, but did not hear back.
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