Why Did Bill Hader Miss SNL 50? The Reason Revealed

Bill Hader, a Saturday Night Live alum known for creating iconic characters like Stefon, was notably absent from the SNL 50 anniversary special. His representative clarified the reason behind this absence.

Hader, a cast member from 2005 to 2013, missed the live anniversary show on February 16, 2023. His team explained to Variety that he could not attend due to a longstanding scheduling conflict. Although Hader has been busy working on projects like The Cat in the Hat and Empress of Serenity, further details about his schedule were not disclosed.

Despite his absence from the event, Hader participated in SNL 50 celebrations in a different capacity. He reprised his role as Devin from "The Californians" in a commercial featuring Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen. Hader is currently dating Ali Wong, following his divorce from Maggie Carey.

Throughout his time on SNL, Hader candidly shared his struggles with anxiety and migraines. In a 2019 interview with Variety, he reflected on his mental health during his time on the show. He said, "When I was on SNL, I was a bit of a basket case. It was consuming. Sometimes I felt like people thought I was just wanting attention. I’m legit. I’m freaking out."

Hader also noted that he seldom revisits his past sketches. He mentioned that his daughters have seen his work, prompting nostalgic reactions. "They came in and were like, ‘Dad, look at this.’ I was like, ‘Oh, yeah. There I am,’" Hader recounted.

He wasn’t alone in his absence, as inaugural cast member Dan Aykroyd also missed the celebration. Aykroyd shared his respects in a message on X (formerly Twitter) two days before the event.

He expressed pride in his years on the show and reflected on its significance. He wrote, "This telecast is as historical as the next moon landing. Comedy stars of our age all gathered under the aegis of America’s greatest living impresario, my boss Lorne Michaels."

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