Bill Hader Skipped ‘SNL50’ Because Anxiety, Had Migraines, Vision Loss
Bill Hader recently opened up about his decision to skip the “Saturday Night Live” 50th anniversary show, citing his struggles with anxiety as the primary reason for his absence. While a representative initially cited a scheduling conflict, Hader revealed on “Late Night With Seth Meyers” that his anxiety prevented him from participating in the primetime special.
During a conversation with Andy Samberg about a digital short idea for the show, Hader expressed his reservations about being involved due to his anxiety. Ultimately, Bowen Yang took on the role that Samberg had envisioned for Hader, with Hader acknowledging Yang’s exceptional performance.
Reflecting on his time on “SNL,” Hader admitted to feeling shaky and anxious throughout his tenure on the sketch comedy show. Despite being a cast member from 2005 to 2013 and returning to host twice, Hader has been candid about how his mental health impacted his experience.
Seth Meyers, who co-wrote the “SNL50” special, supported Hader’s decision to prioritize his well-being. Meyers humorously pointed out that Hader had recently suffered from shingles, a condition often exacerbated by stress and anxiety. Hader joked about potentially having “double shingles” if he had appeared at the event.
Hader also shared his experience of dealing with migraines and vision issues while on the show, recounting a particularly challenging moment before a sketch with Johnny Knoxville and Neil Young. Despite these challenges, Hader went on to co-create and star in the critically acclaimed HBO series “Barry” and will voice the Cat in the Hat in an upcoming animated reboot.
Overall, Hader’s candid discussion about his struggles with anxiety sheds light on the importance of prioritizing mental health, even in high-pressure environments like “SNL.” His openness about his experiences serves as a reminder that it’s okay to prioritize self-care and well-being, even in the face of professional opportunities.
