Dan Aykroyd Explains Why He Skipped SNL 50, Reveals the Moment That Made Him Emotional at Home
Dan Aykroyd is opening up about why he decided to skip SNL 50!
The 73-year-old was one of the original members of the Saturday Night Live cast in the 1970s, but he was notably missing from the 50th anniversary special earlier in 2025. At the time, Dan explained that he skipped the episode in order to watch at home with his family.
Now, Dan is elaborating on his decision to watch from home instead of taking part in the special episode.
Keep reading to find out more…
While speaking to Entertainment Weekly at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday (July 25), Dan explained his decision.
“I wanted to be at home and I wanted to watch the show beginning to end,” Dan said and explained that he wouldn’t be able to watch the whole thing if he was in the show. “I knew if i was there, I’d be in a dressing room, I’d be working. 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.”
According to Dan, watching at home was worth it. Dan said the most emotional moment of the night was the cast’s goodbyes at the end of the show. In the segment, two of his original SNL co-stars, Laraine Newman and Jane Curtin, holding up a photo of the late Gilda Radner.
“That was beautiful. That was wonderful,” he said of the tribute to Gilda.
If you missed it, another SNL star recently teased season 51.