By Kathy Kurtz Ferrari
Staff Writer
9/24/09
Even as a child, Jenny Slate was making people laugh. But now, the former Milton resident is more than a local talent. She’s made it to the big time. Slate will debut this Saturday, Sept. 26, as a new cast member of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” “Since she was 7 years old, she’s been watching videos of Gilda Radner, John Belushi and the rest of them,” said her father, Ron Slate. “She always wanted to be on ‘Saturday Night Live.’” Slate attended Milton Academy from kindergarten through high school, and was the valedictorian of the class of 2000. She grew up off Canton Avenue with her family, including her father; her mother, Nancy; and two sisters, Abigail and Stacey.
After leaving Milton, she headed to Columbia University, graduating five years ago. Now 27, she lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., and has been pursuing her comedic career with gusto. She already has a long TV resume that includes a role on the HBO sitcom “Bored to Death,” appearances on “The Jimmy Fallon Show” and numerous commercials. She also was part of the Los Angeles- and New York-based comedy theater group Upright Citizens Brigade, where many other “SNL” cast members practiced their trade.
She performed with fellow comic Gabe Liedman in a stand-up comedy show called “Gabe & Jenny” and had a successful run in a one-woman show titled “Jenny Slate: Dead Millionaire.” In the latter, she created a series of characters, including a spot-on, look-a-like version of Latin pop singer Gloria Estefan.
From that show, she sent a tape to NBC, who sent a scout to see her perform. They must have liked what they saw, as she was asked to create a few characters for an audition in front of Lorne Michaels, executive producer of “SNL.” Then came the call she’d been waiting for since childhood.
“She has been hired as the 127th cast member of ‘Saturday Night Live,’” said her proud father. “She began work the day after Labor Day. …She’s working crazy hours and we can hardly get in touch with her.”
Her parents are staying clear of New York right now, giving their daughter some breathing space with all that is happening in her life, but they plan to attend one of the shows in October. According to her father, she will be coming home to visit in a month or so.
This weekend’s season premiere begins at 11:30 p.m. and can be seen locally on WHDH-TV/Channel 7.