She innovated the long-running sketch show and continues to inspire generations of artists of all genres. From 2005 to 2012, Wiig had us bowled over with uncontrollable laughter from her impressions, eclectic characters, and shameless creativity. There’s a reason Lorne Michaels considers her in the “top three or four” SNL cast members ever. Once again, she dropped everything and packed her bags. “I left knowing I didn't get it,” and then “the season started and that’s when I really knew I didn’t get it.” Much to her surprise, she got a call three weeks into the new season that they wanted her on the show. While he loved her and wanted her on the show, she was told there wasn’t any room for new players. The tape led to two auditions and a nerve-wracking and disappointing meeting with Lorne Michaels. It was during this time that she and her manager Naomi Odenkirk discussed submitting a tape to SNL. She would end up calling The Groundlings her home for several years, where she learned important skills like collaboration, writing, and backstage etiquette and created characters like Aunt Linda and Target Lady that would come in handy in the future.
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She liked it so much that she decided to drop out of college, pack up her car, and move to Los Angeles, despite not having any job prospects or any idea of how to start her career.Ī boss at one of her art-based jobs in LA happened to see an improv show at The Groundlings and told Wiig that that’s where she belonged (even though he never really saw her be funny before). In an episode of the Awards Chatter podcast, she told The Hollywood Reporter that she was terrified and “ hated speaking in front of anyone.” By the end of the class, however, she loosened up and fell in love with performing. But thanks to one of the curriculum requirements, she had to face her fears and take an acting class. Born and raised in Upstate New York, the Oscar and Emmy nominated writer and actress studied studio art at the University of Arizona and figured she would graduate and become an art teacher. It’s hard to believe that Saturday Night Live icon Kristen Wiig was initially terrified to perform in front of people.