Kenan Thompson Net Worth - Pulptastic
Sophia Aguilar
Published Apr 10, 2026
What is Kenan Thompson’s Net Worth and Salary?
Kenan Thompson, an American actor, voice actor, and comedian, has a net worth of $13 million. He is best known for his work on the iconic sketch comedy series “Saturday Night Live,” where he is the longest-serving cast member ever, having appeared for over 20 seasons.
Thompson began his acting career in the early 90s and gained fame after his stint on the sketch comedy series “All That.” He starred in his own sitcom alongside Kel Mitchell before joining “SNL.”
Aside from his television career, Thompson is also recognized for his roles in films such as “The Mighty Ducks,” “Good Burger,” and “Fat Albert.” He has won a Primetime Emmy Award for his achievements on “SNL.”
Early Life and Career
Kenan Thompson was born in Atlanta, Georgia on May 10th, 1978. He grew up with two siblings and started acting at the age of five. Thompson began performing in church theater productions and local plays during this time.
Kenan Thompson’s Career Highlights
Kenan Thompson started his professional acting career at a young age, with one of his first major roles being in CNN’s “Real News for Kids.” He went on to star in “All That” and “Kenan & Kel,” and made his film debut with “D2: The Mighty Ducks” while still attending high school.
Throughout the late 90s, Thompson appeared in various TV shows and movies, including “Sister, Sister,” “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” and “The Amanda Show.” He also booked roles in films such as “Good Burger,” “Fat Albert,” and “Love Don’t Cost a Thing.”
Thompson is also an accomplished voice actor, having voiced characters in “Sit Down, Shut Up,” “The Smurfs” movies, and “Playmobil: The Movie.” He has also appeared in commercials for Nike, Fandango, and Universal Parks & Resorts.
In addition to his work on “Saturday Night Live,” Thompson has appeared in shows like “Psych,” “ICarly,” and “Victorious.” He served as a judge on the comedy competition series “Bring the Funny” in 2019 and acted as a guest judge on “America’s Got Talent” in 2020. He also has a new show called “The Kenan Show” set to premiere in 2020.
Kenan Thompson’s Career on SNL and Beyond
In 2003, Kenan Thompson joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live” as a featured player and was eventually promoted to repertory player in 2005. He is now the most senior cast member and is famous for his impressions of various celebrities. However, in 2018, he refused to do any more impressions of black women, citing the need for “SNL” to hire more women of color.
Thompson is praised for his ability to react comedically to various situations, with head writer Brian H. Tucker noting that all he needs to do is write the words “Kenan Reacts” into the script to make a skit funny. Critics have also noted that Thompson is the person that the rest of the “SNL” cast relies on to get laughs and referred to him as the “glue” that holds the cast together.
In 2020, Thompson was announced to be involved in a number of upcoming films, including “Clifford the Big Red Dog,” “Spinning Gold,” and the reboot of “Home Alone.”
Kenan Thompson’s SNL Salary
In 2011, Kenan Thompson married model Christina Evangeline. In 2014, they welcomed their first child into the world. In 2018, they welcomed another child into the world.
There are 21 episodes in a season. First-year cast members make $7,000 per episode, which equates to about $147,000 per season. Second-year cast members make $8,000 per episode, which equates to about $168,000 per season. If a cast member makes it to their fifth season, they make $15,000 per episode. This equates to $315,000 per season.
Those who have been with SNL for three years longer earn the highest salaries, as these individuals are considered to be crucial to the success of the show. These veteran comedians earn $25,000 per episode, which equates to $525,000 per year. Kenan has been on the show since 2003, which is a longer run than any other actor in history.
Because of this, his salary is almost certainly above and beyond the standard amounts we’ve already listed. We believe that Thompson’s SNL salary is likely $2-3 million per year. To put this in perspective, Will Ferrell earned a record-setting $370,000 at SNL during his peak in 2001.