History of Lorne Michaels in Timeline

Lorne Michaels is a highly influential Canadian-American television writer and producer. He is best known as the creator and producer of the iconic sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL), which has launched the careers of numerous comedians and shaped American comedy for decades. Beyond SNL, Michaels has also produced other successful television programs, including the Late Night series, The Kids in the Hall, and The Tonight Show, demonstrating his significant impact on the landscape of late-night television and comedy entertainment.

November 17, 1944: Lorne Michaels Born

On November 17, 1944, Lorne David Lipowitz, later known as Lorne Michaels, was born. He is a Canadian-American television writer and film producer.

1966: Graduated from University College, Toronto

In 1966, Lorne Michaels graduated from University College, Toronto, where he majored in English.

1967: Married Rosie Shuster

In 1967, Lorne Michaels married Rosie Shuster, who later worked with him on Saturday Night Live as a writer.

1968: Moved to Los Angeles

In 1968, Lorne Michaels moved from Toronto to Los Angeles to work as a writer for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show.

September 20, 1975: Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell Debuted

On September 20, 1975, Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell debuted on ABC. This show caused a name conflict with NBC's Saturday Night.

November 20, 1976: George Harrison Appeared on SNL

On November 20, 1976, George Harrison appeared on Saturday Night Live, but Lorne Michaels told him that his offer to The Beatles reuniting on the show was conditional on all four members showing up.

1977: NBC's Saturday Night Changed Name to Saturday Night Live

In 1977, NBC's Saturday Night changed its name to Saturday Night Live after the show 'Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell' was cancelled.

1978: Offered Paramount Deal

During the 1978-1979 season of SNL, Lorne Michaels was offered a deal to produce nine features from Paramount, which he turned down.

1979: Turned Down Paramount Deal

During the 1978-1979 season of SNL, Lorne Michaels was offered a deal to produce nine features from Paramount, which he turned down.

1979: Founded Broadway Video

In 1979, Lorne Michaels founded the production company Broadway Video.

1980: Divorced Rosie Shuster

In 1980, Lorne Michaels and Rosie Shuster divorced.

1981: Broadway Video produced SNL

In 1981, Lorne Michael's production company Broadway Video began producing SNL.

1981: Married Susan Forristal

In 1981, Lorne Michaels married model Susan Forristal.

January 1984: The New Show Debuted

In January 1984, Lorne Michaels created another sketch show titled The New Show, which debuted on Friday nights in prime time on NBC.

1985: Developed 1985 Movie

In the early 80s, Lorne Michaels was developing a movie called 1985 that was set in the future and written by Al Franken and Tom Davis.

1987: Divorced Susan Forristal

In 1987, Lorne Michaels and Susan Forristal divorced.

1987: Became a U.S. Citizen

In 1987, Lorne Michaels became a U.S. citizen.

1988: The Kids in the Hall Aired in Canada

In 1988, The Kids in the Hall began airing on CBC in Canada.

1989: The Kids in the Hall Debuted in the US

In 1989, The Kids in the Hall debuted in the US market on cable television network HBO.

1991: Married Alice Barry

In 1991, Lorne Michaels married Alice Barry, his former assistant.

1993: The Kids in the Hall moved to CBS

In 1993, The Kids in the Hall moved to CBS from HBO.

1999: Received Honorary Degree from Ryerson University

Also in 1999, Lorne Michaels received an honorary degree from Ryerson University.

1999: Awarded Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 1999, Lorne Michaels was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1999: Inducted into the Television Hall of Fame

In 1999, Lorne Michaels was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame.

2002: Inducted into the Order of Canada

In 2002, Lorne Michaels was inducted into the Order of Canada.

2003: Received Star on Canada's Walk of Fame

In 2003, Lorne Michaels received a star on Canada's Walk of Fame.

2004: Awarded Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

In 2004, Lorne Michaels was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor by the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

2006: Received Governor General's Performing Arts Award

In 2006, Lorne Michaels received the Governor General's Performing Arts Award for Lifetime Artistic Achievement, Canada's highest honor in the performing arts.

2008: Awarded Webby for Film & Video Lifetime Achievement

In 2008, Lorne Michaels was awarded the Webby for Film & Video Lifetime Achievement.

2008: Tina Fey Admitted Jack Donaghy Inspired by Michaels

In a 2008 interview with Playboy, Tina Fey admitted that Alec Baldwin's character Jack Donaghy on 30 Rock is inspired by Lorne Michaels.

2012: Awarded Personal Peabody Award

In 2012, Lorne Michaels was awarded a rare Personal Peabody Award at a ceremony in New York City.

April 3, 2013: Executive Producer of The Tonight Show

On April 3, 2013, it was announced that Lorne Michaels would be taking over as the executive producer for The Tonight Show.

2014: The Tonight Show Moved to New York

In early 2014, The Tonight Show moved to New York as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, with Lorne Michaels as executive producer.

December 2021: Honored at the Kennedy Center Honors

In December 2021, Lorne Michaels was honored at the Kennedy Center Honors, along with Justino Diaz, Berry Gordy, Bette Midler, and Joni Mitchell.

2022: Received Peabody Award for Los Espookys

In 2022, Lorne Michaels received a Peabody Award for his work as an executive producer of the Spanish-language comedy series Los Espookys.

2024: Saturday Night Film Released

In 2024, the film Saturday Night, about what happened behind-the-scenes leading up to the first episode of Saturday Night Live, was released. Gabriel LaBelle plays Lorne Michaels in the film.