Jack Nicholson, 87, makes rare public appearance on 50th anniversary special of SNL
Jack Nicholson, the legendary actor known for his roles in films like “The Shining,” made a rare and much-appreciated public appearance at the 50th-anniversary special of “Saturday Night Live” (SNL). This appearance, considered a “legendary moment” by many viewers, delighted fans who haven’t seen much of the 87-year-old star in recent years.
Nicholson’s last film role was in 2010’s “How Do You Know.” Since then, he has largely remained out of the public eye, making his presence at the SNL anniversary event even more special. While he has never hosted the show, he did participate in the 40th-anniversary celebration in 2015 as a presenter.
This time around, Nicholson’s role was brief but memorable. He introduced comedian Adam Sandler from his seat in the audience, simply saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, Adam Sandler.” Sandler, guitar in hand, responded warmly, acknowledging Nicholson’s presence with, “Let’s hear it for Jack, baby! Jack made it out tonight! Love you, brother.” This short exchange between two entertainment giants resonated with viewers.
Fans quickly took to social media to express their excitement. One Twitter user succinctly captured the sentiment, saying, “Jack showing up is the real headline here.” Another fan emphasized the significance of the moment, calling it “Such a legendary moment love the energy between them both.” Some fans expressed surprise that Nicholson hadn’t been more involved with the show throughout its history. One person commented, “I can’t believe Jack has never hosted or even had a cameo on SNL, with the exception being that he presented during the SNL40 reunion show in 2015. You’d Jack would be good at some sketch comedy, albeit on live late night network television.” Another simply stated, “Jack is the man… awesome.”
Following the warm introduction, Sandler launched into a musical tribute to 50 years of SNL. His song touched on many memorable moments and personalities associated with the show. He acknowledged the shared experience of everyone in attendance, saying, “Everyone in this room has something in common. All of our lives were changed by the show.”
Sandler’s performance included humorous anecdotes and observations about the show’s history. He joked about writers nervously watching Steven Spielberg at Lorne Michaels’ monitor, hoping for a laugh, and the after-parties where those same writers might have had a few too many drinks. He even made a lighthearted jab at Kanye West, who has appeared on SNL multiple times, singing, “50 years of finding out your favorite musician is antisemitic.”
The tribute also paid homage to the many talented individuals who have contributed to SNL over the years. Sandler mentioned a variety of cast members, from Eddie Murphy and Will Forte to Jan Hooks, Gilda Radner, and many more, highlighting their contributions to the show’s success. He sang, “We got four years of Eddie Murphy, eight years of Will Forte, five years of Jan Hooks and Gilda [Radner], six of Victoria [Jackson], 11 of [Michael] Che, three years of Melanie Hutsell, Michael McKean crushed it in two. One of Billy Crystal, six of Dennis Miller, eight of [Phil] Hartman, the glue.”
While Sandler’s musical tribute was a highlight of the evening, for many viewers, the true highlight was the rare glimpse of Jack Nicholson. His presence, even for a brief moment, made the 50th-anniversary celebration of SNL even more special.
