Who is Kenan Thompson, host of the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards?

Actor-comedian Kenan Thompson has been announced by NBC as the host for the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 12. A Saturday Night Live star, Thompson has a glittering resume when it comes to award shows that he has hosted- the 2021 People’s Choice Awards and the 2022 NHL Awards. The 44-year-old Thompson has himself been nominated for the Emmy Award on six occasions, winning the award once.

The actor-comedian released a statement after the announcement of him hosting the Emmys was made, saying, “Being a part of this incredible evening where we honor the best of the television community is ridiculously exciting, and to do it on NBC – my longtime network family – makes it even more special”.

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A Columbus, Ohio native, Thompson’s first movie was the 1994 comedy, D2: The Mighty Ducks. However, his stint with acting goes further back. He was only five when he began taking acting classes. Post a number of guest appearances in movies, Kenan joined the SNL cast in 2003, a move that would make him a household name in the years to come. He also holds the record for being on the SNL cast for the longest period of time- 19 years.

Regarding Thompson’s comic timing, SNL head writer Brian H. Tucker said, “Put him in your sketch somewhere, anywhere, and your sketch will get better. Because Kenan knows how to take ordinary lines and make them funny, and take funny lines and make them special.” SNL creator Lorne Michaels acknowledged Thompson’s skills, saying that the latter is “the person I most rely on in the cast”.

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Among the nominees for this year’s Primetime Emmys, HBO drama Succession is leading the roost with 25 nominations. In hot pursuit is Apple TV original Ted Lasso and another HBO release, The White Lotus, with 20 nominations each. Only Murders in The Building and Hacks have both managed 17 nominations apiece.