Jimmy Fallon shared the video of his 1998 audition for Saturday Night Live on Sunday ahead of the 50th anniversary special.
‘I was so nervous,’ the 50-year-old Tonight Show host recalled on X.
‘I want to thank [creator] Lorne Michaels for everything. (And @adamsandler).’
In the four-minute and 30-second clip, Jimmy performed his impersonations of celebrities like Christopher Walken, Jerry Seinfeld, and Colin Quinn.
Fallon’s impression of Adam Sandler even managed to make his future Tonight Show executive producer laugh out loud inside 30 Rock’s Studio 8H.
The four-time Emmy winner also whipped out a guitar in order to belt impressions of the singers from U2, Counting Crows, and The Cure.
Jimmy Fallon shared the video of his 1998 audition for Saturday Night Live on Sunday ahead of the 50th anniversary special
My SNL audition. I was so nervous. I want to thank Lorne Michaels for everything. (And @AdamSandler.) #SNL50 pic.twitter.com/vY5hYXZjDv
— Jimmy Fallon (@jimmyfallon) February 16, 2025
During Jimmy’s audition, his Tonight Show announcer Steve Higgins was actually one of the people in the audience watching and evaluating his performance.
Fallon was only 24 when he auditioned for the NBC sketch show and he was so thin, commenters on the post remarked on it, asking him if he was starving or poor.
But overall the commenters were delighted with his audition and expressed that.
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@Michael53732168 wrote, ‘That was fantastic Jimmy. Easy to understand why they chose you.
‘Jimmy, you never gave up on your goals and dreams and had the talent to back it up…A true inspiration. Thank you for continuing to entertain us,’ @KeriStevensReal wrote.
@Mandy1178 wrote, ‘I love this. I can’t even imagine how nervous you must’ve been. I would’ve had a panic attack and been out of there!
‘So great to see how far you’ve come. Thanks for reminding us to follow your dreams and always try.’
@jmcy18043 said, ‘A legend was born on that day and continues to be one.’
‘Bring back double take guy. Amazing audition Jimmy. It’s incredible to see that this audition put you on the path to greatness. Congrats on everything,’ @OlivierHamelin2 wrote.
‘That was so fun to see! I have heard you tell the story, but to get to see it is even better!
The 50-year-old Tonight Show host recalled on X: ‘I was so nervous. I want to thank [creator] Lorne Michaels for everything. (And @adamsandler)’
In the four-minute and 30-second clip, Jimmy performed his impersonations of celebrities like Christopher Walken, Jerry Seinfeld, and Colin Quinn
Fallon’s impression of Adam Sandler even managed to make his future Tonight Show executive producer laugh out loud inside 30 Rock’s Studio 8H
The four-time Emmy winner also whipped out a guitar in order to belt impressions of the singers from U2, Counting Crows, and The Cure
Jimmy was only 24 when he auditioned for the NBC sketch show and he was so thin, commenters on the post remarked on it, asking him if he was starving or poor
@Michael53732168 wrote, ‘That was fantastic Jimmy. Easy to understand why they chose you’
Jimmy, you never gave up on your goals and dreams and had the talent to back it up…A true inspiration. Thank you for continuing to entertain us,’ @KeriStevensReal wrote
@Mandy1178 wrote, ‘I love this. I can’t even imagine how nervous you must’ve been. I would’ve had a panic attack and been out of there! So great to see how far you’ve come’
@jmcy18043 said, ‘A legend was born on that day and continues to be one’
Overall the commenters were every complimentary and respectful
‘Bring back double take guy. Amazing audition Jimmy. It’s incredible to see that this audition put you on the path to greatness. Congrats on everything,’ @OlivierHamelin2 wrote
Fallon was able to do what no one else had been able to do and get the legendary creator of SNL to laugh when he did an impression of Adam Sandler
Auditioning for SNL is notoriously difficult for comedians, who are only given five minutes to deliver a set in front of a group of producers including casting director Marci Klein and Lorne Michaels (pictured in 2003)
Hours after his social media post, Fallon donned a classic tuxedo and escorted his wife Nancy Juvonen (R) to the star-studded taping of SNL50: The Anniversary Special
The Grammy-winning funnyman rubbed elbows with the likes of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and his wife of 41 years, Patti Hansen
Jimmy excitedly chatted with Anya Taylor-Joy (R) as her leading man from The Gorge, Miles Teller (2-R), walked by with his wife Keleigh Sperry (L)
The native New Yorker then shared some words with former castmembers Ana Gasteyer (R) and Beck Bennett (2-R) beside an autograph wall
Jimmy shared a hearty laugh with former castmember Adam Samberg
‘I wish we could have watched Lorne Michaels reaction, especially once you go to Adam Sandler,’ @RyanBartholomee wrote.
@Mmolchan72M wrote, ‘And all these years later. You are still here. Thanks for the fantastic ride. Your being definitely makes this world a better place.’
And finally, @bonnieQuillen2 wrote, ‘I heard you were on a short list of people who auditioned, and were thought by the staff, ready to start immediately (even thought that didn’t tell you right away).
Auditioning for SNL is notoriously difficult for comedians, who are only given five minutes to deliver a set in front of a group of producers including casting director Marci Klein and Lorne Michaels.
Hours after his social media post, the Grammy-winning funnyman donned a classic tuxedo and escorted his wife Nancy Juvonen to the star-studded taping of SNL50: The Anniversary Special.
Jimmy rubbed elbows with the likes of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and his wife of 41 years, Patti Hansen.
Fallon excitedly chatted with Anya Taylor-Joy as her leading man from The Gorge, Miles Teller, walked by with his wife Keleigh Sperry.
The native New Yorker then shared some words with former castmembers Ana Gasteyer and Beck Bennett beside an autograph wall.
Jimmy shared a hearty laugh with former castmember Adam Samberg.