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Jimmy Fallon Reveals Early-Career Mental Health Low Fueled by SNL Obsession

He traced his early-career mental health low to an all-consuming drive to land on SNL by age 25

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Overview

  • Fallon said moving from New York to Los Angeles in his early 20s left him struggling to book work and afford therapy during his lowest emotional period.
  • He described becoming so fixated on Saturday Night Live that he skipped social events just to watch episodes live.
  • In a journal entry, Fallon vowed to kill himself if he failed to join SNL by his 25th birthday.
  • The comedian told host Steven Bartlett he never intended to act on the promise because he was confident he’d secure a spot.
  • After two auditions, Fallon made the SNL cast at 24 and stayed on the show from 1998 to 2004 before moving into late-night hosting.