Adrien Brody Addresses Rumors of Being Banned from Saturday Night Live

Adrien Brody, the Academy Award-winning actor, has clarified long-standing rumors about being banned from Saturday Night Live (SNL) following a controversial performance in 2003. Speaking with Vulture, Brody revealed that no formal ban was ever issued, although he acknowledged he has not been invited back to the show.

The speculation originated from an episode of SNL where Brody, hosting for the first time, donned a dreadlock wig and adopted a Jamaican accent to introduce musical guest Sean Paul, a Kingston, Jamaica native. The unscripted move sparked discussions at the time, with many believing the act was poorly received by the show's producers, including creator Lorne Michaels.

Reflecting on the incident, Brody disclosed that the bit was entirely his idea and had even been performed during the dress rehearsal. "I think Lorne wasn't happy with me embellishing a bit, but they allowed me to," he said. "I thought that was a safe space to do that, weirdly." He also revealed that the costume, including the wig, was provided by the show itself.

Brody further explained that the skit was one of several unconventional ideas he pitched during his appearance. "They were all literally agape from me pitching," he recalled, emphasizing his creative approach to the role.

Despite the controversy surrounding the performance, the Pianist and Grand Budapest Hotel actor maintains that he was not officially barred from SNL, concluding, "So I don’t know what to tell you."