Has Will Smith Ever Hosted an ‘SNL’ Episode?

Published 02/16/2025, 11:55 PM EST

Will Smith has dipped his toes into every corner of the entertainment capital, from highlights under the sun to navigating stormy clouds, all while leaving a legacy of inspiration for the next wave of dreamers. However, it is not only in acting and music where Smith excels. His knack for comedy proves he is a master of every craft, spreading laughter like it is contagious. And as Saturday Night Live celebrates its big 50, viewers cannot help but wonder if the man of many talents ever took the stage as the host of the iconic show.

Smith has hosted benefit concerts, award ceremonies, and countless high-profile events, but did Saturday Night Live make it to the list?

Has Will Smith graced Saturday Night Live as a host?

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NBC’s variety series, Saturday Night Live, has nearly had every prominent A-lister hosting their episodes. But even though almost everyone, not each and every big star. As the celebrity universe orbits around Saturday Night Live’s 50th celebration, the questions land on none other than the Bad Boys icon, Will Smith. Although his comedic timing is a blessing, Saturday Night Live has yet to leverage it in its episodes.

Smith has never hosted a Saturday Night Live episode, which could be shocking and disappointing. But it turns out, he is not the only one. Comedic icons including Sacha Baron Cohen, Mel Brooks, Carol Burnett, Stephen Colbert, Whoopi Goldberg, and Bob Oden Kirk (once a writer for the show) belong to the club. The star-studded camp also has Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, and Leonardo DiCaprio, among others. 

Ye Pulls a Classic Will Smith Move Following Jimmy Kimmel’s ‘Slapgate’ Joke at His Grammy Stunt

Will Smith may not have hosted Saturday Night Live but his infamous slapgate incident served the show’s skit content without hitting brakes.

When Saturday Night Live addressed Will Smith’s Oscars slap

Will Smith’s onstage outburst at the 2022 Oscars dropped many jaws. But when the dust settled, it became the meme palette the show could not get enough of. In several segments of the Saturday Night Live's April 2, 2022 episode with Jerrod Carmichael, the slapgate incident was summoned. But during the Saturday edition of Weekend Update, co-anchor Colin Jost brought up the Academy’s decision to ban him for a decade, rendering him ineligible for the Oscars attendance even this year.

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“Is that a punishment?” Jost asked, noting Smith was eligible for a nomination, an award, and would be free to attend the afterparty. Jost suggested a better punishment by nominating him as the next Oscars host. While that seems quite unlikely, it remains to be seen if Saturday Night Live ever puts to use Smith’s star power and gold pot of hilarity.

Jimmy Kimmel Terms Ye “rodent” and Evokes Will Smith’s Oscar Slap in Aftermath of Grammy Awards

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Did you know Will Smith has yet to host a Saturday Night Live episode? Let us know in the comments below!

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Anushka Bhattacharya

1973 articles

I'm Anushka Bhattacharya, an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. Armed with a degree in literature, I once wielded my words to catalyze change within society through my work with NGOs. However, as I stumbled into the exuberant hole of crime thrillers and documentaries on Netflix, it was love at first sight and pushed me into entertainment journalism.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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