NEW YORK: Actor Jim Carrey has announced to step down from his impersonation of United States President-elect on Joe Biden on “Saturday Night Live”.
The actor took to Twitter to tell fans he was leaving behind the impression of Joe Biden he has offered over the course of the first six episodes of the show’s 46th season.
Carrey has not appeared in sketches for last two broadcasts, nor has Alec Baldwin, who has portrayed President Donald Trump for the past four seasons and the early part of the current one.
“Though my term was only meant to be 6 weeks, I was thrilled to be elected as your SNL President,” the actor said via Twitter. “I would love to go forward knowing that Biden was the victor because I nailed that. But I am just one in a long line of proud, fighting SNL Bidens!”
Former cast member Maya Rudolph has been playing Vice President-elect Kamala Harris in recent episodes. As the final episode of the year aired on Sunday, ‘SNL’ cast member Alex Moffat took on the politician appearing cold open sketch after much speculation on social media.
He appered alongside Beck Bennett as Vice President Mike Pence, Kate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani, Kenan Thompson as Dr Ben Carson and guest star Maya Rudolph as Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris.
Playing the role of the US president on “SNL” can be overwhelming. In press reports, Baldwin has suggested he’s grappled with some of the response his Trump impression has sparked.
Others have played Biden in the past. John Mulaney played him last season. Former cast member Jason Sudeikis for many years offered a version of Biden but overtook an ability to stay on message.
Woody Harrelson played Biden during a hosting stint on “SNL” in 2019, and returned to play him once again. The first “SNL” cast member to portray Biden was Kevin Nealon who provided an impression in 1991.
Carrey’s portrayal took “SNL” to new places as the opening sketches featuring Carrey as Biden were longer and more involved than usual. It often featured Carrey tangling with Baldwin’s Trump; being assisted by Rudolph’s Harris; or accompanied by Heidi Gardner as Dr Jill Biden.
