Why Steve Martin Turned Down an Offer to Play Tim Walls on ‘SNL’

It wasn’t long after Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, picked Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate that social media users began lining up candidates to play Walz when “Saturday Night Live” returns in the fall.

At the top of the list: Steve Martin, who bears a striking resemblance to Wallis with his thinning white hair, glasses and gentle demeanor. Martin got into the spirit of the event on Tuesday, Post on topics“I just heard that Tim Walls wants to go on a trip with Marty Short.”

It appeared that “Saturday Night Live” producer Lorne Michaels was listening because he called Martin Wednesday morning with a promo.

The comedian politely and immediately declined.

“I wanted to say no, and by the way, he wanted me to say no,” Martin told The Times. “I said, ‘Lorne, I’m not an Impressionist. You need someone who can really embody this guy.’ I was cast because I have gray hair and I wear glasses.”

Maya Rudolph will reprise her role as Harris, which she first played on “SNL” in 2019 during the Democratic presidential primary and later when Harris was chosen as Joe Biden’s running mate. (Jim Carrey played Biden.) By deadlineRudolph decided to delay production on the third season of her Apple TV+ series “Loot” to January instead of August in order to play Harris during this year’s election cycle.

Martin, who turns 79 next week, was not willing to accept that kind of commitment.

“It’s ongoing,” Martin says. “It’s not like you do it once and get applause and don’t do it again. Again, they need a real impressionist to do it. They’ll find someone really good. I’ll have a hard time with that.”

The 50th season of “Saturday Night Live” is set to premiere on September 28.