Mike Myers Recalls Having an 'Anxiety Attack' After Meeting Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman and OtherSaturday Night LiveCostars

Mar. 15, 2025

Mike Myers on “Saturday Night Live”.Photo:Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Mike Myershad major nerves onSaturday Night Live.

The comedian, 61, recalled his early days on the long-running sketch comedy show during 2024’sVulture Festival.

“When I got toSaturday Night Liveand saw how f—ing good these guys were, I was scared s—less. I had an anxiety attack,” he said, naming his former costarsPhil Hartman,Dana Carvey,Kevin NealonandJan Hooks.

“It was unbelievable,” Myers added.

Mike Myers as George Stephanopolous and Phil Hartman as Bill Clinton during “Saturday Night Live” skit on Oct. 23, 1993.Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

The Emmy winner, who was on the show from 1989 to 1995, recalled being cast after performing at a Second City show

“I did my sketch, ‘Wayne and Nancy,’ where I come from the audience,” he explained. “And I came from the audience and it f—ng killed, which was unbelievable because I had only been in the show for like two seconds.”

He continued, “It was cheerstomps and whistles. It was a jet taking off. I don’t know what happened, but the audience just went for it and loved it.”

Mike Myers as Wayne Campbell, Dana Carvey as Garth Algar during “Saturday Night Live” skit on April 11, 1992.Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank

Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank

Myers also performed in the closing improv scene that night, which received applause from the audience.

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Two weeks later, theShrekstar said he was in Chicago when he got “a call from [SNLcreator]Lorne Michaels. And he said, ‘I understand you do a Wayne character.’ "

During his time onSNL, Myers notably performed as his character Wayne in the recurring sketch “Wayne’s World,” in which he played the titular long-haired metalhead as he hosted a weekly program from his parent’s basement. The sketch often starred Carvey as Wayne’s best friend, Garth.

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“One of the things about starting out in show business up in Canada is there’s no money in it, which is kind of great because in a weird way it makes you experiment more,” he said.

He added that Canada was a place to grow and “get your 10,000 hours.”

Saturday Night Liveairs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

source: people.com