Chris Parnell
Date of Birth:
Gender: Male
Place of Birth: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Biography:
Born on February 5, 1967, Chris Parnell is an American comic actor who first gained widespread recognition as a cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1998 to 2006. His distinct comedic flair continued to flourish when he landed a recurring role as Dr. Leo Spaceman on NBC's Emmy Award-winning comedy series, 30 Rock. Since then, Parnell has become one of the lead voices on the FX animated comedy show, Archer.
Before joining SNL, Chris honed his talents by performing with The Groundlings, a renowned improvisational and sketch comedy troupe in Los Angeles. He was eventually offered a position as a featured player on Saturday Night Live on September 26, 1998. His exceptional performance led to him being promoted to repertory player the following season.
While at SNL, Parnell starred in numerous sketches and commercial parodies, delighting audiences with his impressions of various celebrities. One of his most memorable performances was the rap video "Lazy Sunday," which he created with fellow SNL cast member Andy Samberg. The comedic video featured the duo discussing their love for cupcakes and their excitement to see "The Chronicles of Narnia." Parnell's raps about Jennifer Garner, Britney Spears, Kirsten Dunst, and Ashton Kutcher also made a significant impression on viewers.
In 2001, budget cuts at SNL resulted in the dismissal of two cast members. Despite his outstanding work, Parnell was let go alongside Jerry Minor, while Horatio Sanz, Rachel Dratch, and Maya Rudolph were retained. However, Chris remained unfazed by this setback and continued to excel in various projects throughout the years.
In 2006, once again facing budget cuts, SNL announced that four cast members would be fired. This time, Parnell, Sanz, and Finesse Mitchell were let go. Chris took the news in stride, revealing in a 2008 interview that he was considering leaving after eight seasons on the show anyway. Despite his departure from SNL, Parnell has made uncredited cameo appearances on the show, including one in 2008 where he parodied newscasters Tom Brokaw, Jim Lehrer, and Bob Schieffer.
Following his time at SNL, Parnell joined forces with his former castmate Horatio Sanz to star in a 2010 sitcom on Comedy Central called Big Lake. The show was executive-produced by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. Chris continued to expand his repertoire by appearing as Dr. Drummer/Santa in the SyFy Holiday Special episode from the television show Eureka, which aired on December 7, 2010 (Season 4 Episode 10).
Throughout his career, Chris Parnell has displayed an extraordinary talent for comedy and left an indelible mark in the world of entertainment. From his early years with The Groundlings to his memorable appearances on Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock, Archer, and numerous other projects, Parnell's dedication and versatility have earned him a special place in the hearts of comedy enthusiasts everywhere.
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