Kenan Thompson is an American actor, comedian, producer and television personality best known for his extraordinary career on sketch-comedy television. Born on May 10, 1978, in Atlanta, Georgia, Thompson began acting as a child and became one of the most recognizable performers of his generation through Nickelodeon’s All That, Kenan & Kel and the film Good Burger.
In 2003, Thompson joined the cast of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, beginning what would become the longest tenure of any cast member in the show’s history. His ability to perform a wide range of characters and celebrity impressions has made him one of the most dependable performers in the program’s history. He has remained with SNL for more than two decades and continues to perform on the show in 2026.
Beyond Saturday Night Live, Thompson has built a career across film, television, voice acting, producing and comedy. He has also become an author, publishing his memoir When I Was Your Age in 2023, and continues to expand his work behind the camera through his production company, Artists for Artists.
Kenan Thompson Profile Summary
| Profile | Details |
| Full Name | Kenan Stacy Thompson |
| Date of Birth | May 10, 1978 |
| Age | 48 years old in 2026 |
| Birthplace | Atlanta, Georgia, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actor, comedian, producer and television personality |
| Years Active | 1994–present |
| Known For | Saturday Night Live, All That, Kenan & Kel, Good Burger |
| SNL Debut | 2003 |
| Wife | Christina Evangeline |
| Children | Two daughters |
| Height | 5 ft 8½ in (1.74 m) |
| Education | Tri-Cities High School |
| Notable Award | Primetime Emmy Award |
| Net Worth | Estimated at about $9 million |
Kenan Thompson Early Life
Kenan Stacy Thompson was born on May 10, 1978, in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in the Atlanta area with his older brother, Kerwin, and was raised by his parents, Fletcher and Elizabeth Ann Thompson. His father worked as a mechanic while his mother worked as a nurse.
Thompson developed an interest in performing when he was very young. His mother enrolled him in acting classes when he was five after recognizing his natural ability to entertain people. One of his earliest performances was as Toto in a church production of The Wiz, where he reportedly impressed audiences despite having no lines.
As a child actor, Thompson auditioned for numerous roles before landing his first significant opportunities. He eventually became a youth movie reviewer and reporter, an experience that helped him develop confidence in front of cameras and led to his breakthrough appearances in D2: The Mighty Ducks and Nickelodeon’s All That.
Kenan Thompson Education
Kenan Thompson attended Tri-Cities High School in East Point, Georgia. By the time he reached high school, he was already working professionally as an actor and had developed considerable experience in television and film.
His teenage years were dominated by his growing entertainment career. While many of his classmates were focused primarily on school activities, Thompson was simultaneously working on television productions and films, including the Mighty Ducks franchise and All That.
Because his professional career developed so rapidly during his teenage years, acting became the central focus of his early adulthood. Thompson did not pursue a traditional university career and instead continued building his reputation as a professional performer.
Kenan Thompson Career
Kenan Thompson’s career began when he was a child and has continued for more than three decades. He successfully transitioned from child actor to teenage television star and eventually became the longest-serving performer in Saturday Night Live history.
All That
Thompson became an original cast member of Nickelodeon’s All That when the sketch-comedy series premiered in 1994. The program became one of Nickelodeon’s defining shows of the 1990s and introduced Thompson to a nationwide audience.
His performances on All That demonstrated his natural talent for sketch comedy. He created and performed numerous memorable characters, often using physical comedy, exaggerated voices and impressions.
The show also introduced him to Kel Mitchell, with whom he developed one of the most successful comedy partnerships of the era.
Kenan & Kel
In 1996, Thompson and Kel Mitchell began starring together in Kenan & Kel. The Nickelodeon sitcom followed two teenage friends and became a major success among young audiences.
Their chemistry became one of the defining features of the show. Thompson played Kenan Rockmore, a teenager constantly devising schemes, while Mitchell played his energetic best friend Kel Kimble.
The partnership eventually extended beyond television when the pair starred together in Good Burger.
Good Burger
Thompson played Dexter Reed in the 1997 comedy film Good Burger, alongside Kel Mitchell. The movie was based on a popular All That sketch and became a cult favorite among audiences who grew up with Nickelodeon during the 1990s.
Decades later, Thompson and Mitchell returned to their famous characters for Good Burger 2, which premiered in 2023. The sequel became another successful collaboration between the longtime comedy partners.
Saturday Night Live
Thompson joined Saturday Night Live in 2003. His longevity on the program eventually made him the longest-tenured cast member in the history of SNL.
Over the years, he has become known for an enormous range of characters and impressions. His performances have included politicians, celebrities, fictional personalities and original characters created specifically for the show.
Thompson’s ability to remain effective across changing casts, writers and political eras has been a major reason for his extraordinary longevity.
Other Acting Roles
Outside SNL, Thompson has appeared in numerous films and television programs. His film credits include The Mighty Ducks films, Fat Albert, Snakes on a Plane, Barbershop 2: Back in Business and voice roles in animated productions.
He also starred in the NBC sitcom Kenan, which premiered in 2021. The series centered on a widowed father raising two daughters while managing his career as a television host.
Awards
Thompson has received multiple Emmy nominations throughout his career. He won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2018 for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the SNL song “Come Back, Barack.”
In 2022, he also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, recognizing his contribution to the entertainment industry.
Author and Producer
Thompson became a published author in 2023 with the release of When I Was Your Age: Life Lessons, Funny Stories & Questionable Parenting Advice from a Professional Clown. The memoir combines stories from his childhood and career with reflections on parenthood.
He also co-founded Artists for Artists, a production company and talent incubator focused on developing film, television and original intellectual property. This has allowed Thompson to expand his career beyond performing and into producing and developing new entertainment projects.
Kenan Thompson Trending: Why Is Kenan Thompson Famous?
Kenan Thompson is trending in September 2026 after temporarily joining America’s Got Talent as a guest judge. He stepped in for Simon Cowell during the third round of the show’s quarterfinals while Cowell recovered from a back procedure. Thompson previously served as a guest judge on the program in 2020.
The development comes as Thompson prepares for another season of Saturday Night Live. With the show’s 52nd season scheduled to return in September 2026, Thompson is entering his 23rd season as an SNL cast member, further extending his record as the longest-serving performer in the show’s history.
Thompson is also generating interest because of his continued reunion with longtime comedy partner Kel Mitchell. Following the success of Good Burger 2, the pair announced plans for a new project titled Kenan & Kel Meet Frankenstein, giving fans of their 1990s work another reason to follow their careers.
Kenan Thompson Personal Life
Kenan Thompson married model and interior designer Christina Evangeline in November 2011. The couple had two daughters, Georgia Marie and Gianna Michelle, during their marriage.
Thompson and Evangeline separated after more than a decade together, and Thompson filed for divorce in 2022. The former couple agreed to share custody of their daughters and have continued to co-parent them.
Fatherhood has been an important part of Thompson’s life. He has spoken about how raising his daughters changed his perspective and helped him become more patient and emotionally aware. He has also incorporated his experiences as a parent into his writing.
Kenan Thompson Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Kenan Thompson was born on May 10, 1978, and is 48 years old in 2026. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and is an American citizen.
Thompson was raised in a Christian environment and has participated in church-related activities since childhood, including his first acting performance in a church production. However, he generally keeps his personal religious beliefs relatively private.
Kenan Thompson is approximately 5 feet 8½ inches (1.74 metres) tall. He has maintained a distinctive physical-comedy style throughout his career, frequently using facial expressions, body language and physical movement as important elements of his performances.
Kenan Thompson Social Media Presence
Kenan Thompson maintains a public social-media presence where he shares updates about his entertainment projects, television appearances, comedy work and personal milestones.
His online presence has also allowed him to promote projects involving Saturday Night Live, Good Burger, his memoir and Artists for Artists. He occasionally shares content connected to his longtime relationships with other entertainers.
Because social-media usernames and accounts can change, readers should verify an account’s authenticity before treating it as an official Kenan Thompson profile.
Kenan Thompson Net Worth
Kenan Thompson’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, widely cited estimates place his wealth at approximately $9 million as of 2026. This figure is an estimate rather than an officially confirmed financial statement.
A significant portion of Thompson’s income has likely come from his exceptionally long career on Saturday Night Live. His salary has been supplemented by film and television appearances, voice acting, hosting, producing, book sales and other entertainment projects.
His longevity has also given him opportunities that many performers never receive. With more than two decades on SNL, continued acting work, production interests and new projects with Kel Mitchell, Thompson remains commercially active well into his late forties.
Kenan Thompson Legacy
Kenan Thompson’s greatest legacy is his extraordinary longevity in American television comedy. He entered the entertainment industry as a child and successfully transitioned through several generations of television, from Nickelodeon’s 1990s programming to one of the longest careers in Saturday Night Live history.
His partnership with Kel Mitchell also remains culturally significant. All That, Kenan & Kel and Good Burger helped define children’s comedy for a generation, and their continued collaborations have allowed those characters and performances to remain relevant decades later.
Thompson’s career demonstrates an unusual ability to evolve without abandoning his comedic identity. From child performer to sitcom star, film actor, SNL veteran, Emmy winner, author and producer, he has built one of the most durable careers in American comedy.
Conclusion
Kenan Thompson is one of the most enduring figures in American television comedy, having transformed from a child performer on Nickelodeon into the longest-serving cast member in Saturday Night Live history. His work on All That, Kenan & Kel and Good Burger established him with an early generation of fans, while his more than two decades on SNL cemented his status as a comedy veteran. In 2026, his guest appearance on America’s Got Talent, continued work on SNL and upcoming projects with Kel Mitchell show that his career is still evolving.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kenan Thompson
Who is Kenan Thompson?
Kenan Thompson is an American actor and comedian best known for Saturday Night Live, All That, Kenan & Kel and Good Burger.
How old is Kenan Thompson?
Kenan Thompson was born on May 10, 1978, and is 48 years old in 2026.
Where was Kenan Thompson born?
Kenan Thompson was born in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.
What is Kenan Thompson’s real name?
His full name is Kenan Stacy Thompson.
Is Kenan Thompson still on Saturday Night Live?
Yes. Kenan Thompson remains a cast member of Saturday Night Live in 2026 and is the longest-tenured cast member in the show’s history.
When did Kenan Thompson join SNL?
Kenan Thompson joined Saturday Night Live in 2003.
Who is Kenan Thompson’s wife?
Kenan Thompson was married to Christina Evangeline. They separated and Thompson filed for divorce in 2022.
Does Kenan Thompson have children?
Yes. Kenan Thompson has two daughters, Georgia Marie Thompson and Gianna Michelle Thompson.
How tall is Kenan Thompson?
Kenan Thompson is approximately 5 feet 8½ inches, or 1.74 metres, tall.
What shows made Kenan Thompson famous?
He became famous through Nickelodeon’s All That and Kenan & Kel, followed by the film Good Burger and his long-running career on Saturday Night Live.
Is Kenan Thompson related to Kel Mitchell?
No. Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell are longtime comedy partners and friends, not brothers or biological relatives.
What is Kenan Thompson’s net worth?
Kenan Thompson’s net worth is estimated at approximately $9 million, although the figure has not been officially confirmed.
Did Kenan Thompson win an Emmy?
Yes. He won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2018 for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the Saturday Night Live song “Come Back, Barack.”
Is Kenan Thompson still acting?
Yes. Thompson continues to act and perform in 2026, particularly through Saturday Night Live, while also working on film, television and production projects.
Why is Kenan Thompson famous?
Kenan Thompson is famous for his long-running career in comedy, particularly his work on All That, Kenan & Kel, Good Burger and Saturday Night Live. He is the longest-tenured cast member in SNL history.
What is Kenan Thompson doing in 2026?
In 2026, Thompson continues his record-setting run on Saturday Night Live, has been working on new projects with Kel Mitchell and temporarily joined America’s Got Talent as a guest judge while Simon Cowell was away.