Lorne (2026)

April 17, 2026 (US) • Documentary • 101m

Overview

An unprecedented, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the man who built the inimitable empire of comedy, shaping television and culture for generations. The documentary features exclusive footage, archival treasures, and candid interviews with the show’s most iconic cast members and writers including Tina Fey, Maya Rudolph, John Mulaney, Andy Samberg, Conan O’Brien, Chris Rock and many more.

Director

Morgan Neville

Writers

Morgan Neville, Alan Lowe, Jake Hostetter

Top Billed

Lorne Michaels

Keywords

new york city behind the scenes sketch comedy biographical documentary

Where to watch

Free / Included

Rent

Buy

Top Billed Cast

Lorne Michaels

Self

Steve Higgins

Self

Michael Che

Self

Colin Jost

Self

Tom Schiller

Self

Paul Simon

Self

James Andrew Miller

Self

Timothée Chalamet

Self

Paula Pell

Self

Adam Sandler

Self

John Mulaney

Self

Kenan Thompson

Self

Jimmy Fallon

Self

Mike Myers

Self

Maya Rudolph

Self

Dana Carvey

Self

Martin Short

Self

Bill Hader

Self

Fred Armisen

Self

Mark McKinney

Self

Andy Samberg

Self

Conan O'Brien

Self

Rosie Shuster

Self

Alan Zweibel

Self

Laraine Newman

Self

Chevy Chase

Self

Streeter Seidell

Self

Mikey Day

Self

Akira Yoshimura

Self

Chris Rock

Self

Tina Fey

Self

Alec Baldwin

Self

Kristen Wiig

Self

Bowen Yang

Self

Seth Meyers

Self

Kate McKinnon

Self

Candice Bergen

Self

Susan Morrison

Self

Ayo Edebiri

Self

Sarah Sherman

Self

Chloe Fineman

Self

Al Franken

Self

Jake Gyllenhaal

Self

Caroline Maroney

Self

Shane Gillis

Self

Lily Tomlin

Self

John Alexander

Self

Emma Stone

Self

Steve Martin

Self

Howard Shore

Self

Ryan Gosling

Self

David Geffen

Self

Erin Doyle

Self

Erik Kenward

Self

Chris Parnell

Narrator

Robert Smigel

Lorne (voice)

Jim Downey

Self / Irwin Segelstein (voice)

Rosebud Baker

Self (uncredited)

Emily Blunt

Self (uncredited)

Dan Bulla

Self (uncredited)

Megan Callahan-Shah

Self (uncredited)

Steven Castillo

Self (uncredited)

Caitlin Clark

Self (uncredited)

Mike DiCenzo

Self (uncredited)

Andrew Dismukes

Self (uncredited)

Mike Diva

Self (uncredited)

Billie Eilish

Self (uncredited)

Alex English

Self (uncredited)

Wally Feresten

Self (uncredited)

Jimmy Fowlie

Self (uncredited)

Jim Gaffigan

Self (uncredited)

Heidi Gardner

Self (uncredited)

Alison Gates

Self (uncredited)

Martin Herlihy

Self (uncredited)

Marcello Hernández

Self (uncredited)

John Higgins

Self (uncredited)

James Austin Johnson

Self (uncredited)

Punkie Johnson

Self (uncredited)

Tim Kaine

Self (uncredited)

Molly Kearney

Self (uncredited)

Michael Longfellow

Self (uncredited)

Ben Marshall

Self (uncredited)

Dennis McNicholas

Self (uncredited)

Morgan Neville

Self (voice) (uncredited)

Jake Nordwind

Self (uncredited)

Ego Nwodim

Self (uncredited)

Ceara Jane O'Sullivan

Self (uncredited)

Liz Patrick

Self (uncredited)

Gary Richardson

Self (uncredited)

Gena Rositano

Self (uncredited)

Rebecca Schwartz

Self (uncredited)

KC Shornima

Self (uncredited)

Will Stephen

Self (uncredited)

Kent Sublette

Self (uncredited)

Betzy Torres

Self (uncredited)

Julio Torres

Self (uncredited)

Chloe Troast

Self (uncredited)

Bryan Tucker

Self (uncredited)

Devon Walker

Self (uncredited)

Asha Ward

Self (uncredited)

Auguste White

Self (uncredited)

Celeste Yim

Self (uncredited)

Louie Zakarian

Self (uncredited)

Chris Farley

Self (Uncredited)

Norm Macdonald

Self (Uncredited)

Kevin Nealon

Self (Uncredited)

Dana Carvey

Self (Uncredited)

Will Ferrell

Self (Uncredited)

Amy Poehler

Self (Uncredited)

Gilda Radner

Self (Uncredited)

Crew

Morgan Neville

Director

Morgan Neville

Producer

Lauren Belfer

Producer

Caitrin Rogers

Executive Producer

Nora Chute

Supervising Producer

David Kraemer

Line Producer

Darling Higgins

Line Producer

Miles Watanabe

Gaffer

Morgan Neville

Writer

Alan Lowe

Writer

Jake Hostetter

Writer

Darian Sahanaja

Original Music Composer

Graham Willoughby

Director of Photography

Jake Hostetter

Editor

Alan Lowe

Editor

John Priebe

Gaffer

Elaine Kandel

Makeup Artist

Reviews

Brent Marchant

⭐ 7/10

April 18, 2026

What makes something funny? That’s debatable, especially since it’s such a subjective topic to begin with. But one thing is certain – being successful at it takes a formula that works and does so consistently, something that may be more difficult to realize than what one might think. However, those who achieve this goal are also likely to attain legendary status, an accomplishment widely accorded to Lorne Michaels, longtime producer of the late night sketch comedy TV show Saturday Night Live. For 45 of the past 50 years, Michaels has worked his magic in creating big laughs with a singular blend of humor that has reshaped the artform and become an undeniably integral part of contemporary American culture. He has also helped launch the careers of countless performers who have gone on to fame, fortune and artistic notoriety. But how has he done it? As an enigmatic, comparatively reclusive figure in the entertainment industry, he has rarely given up many of the secrets of his success, such as determining exactly what’s funny, how to find and cultivate the talent of an array of virtual unknowns, and how to outlast the inflated opinions of many network executives who thought they knew how to do things better (but didn’t). Those are among the revelations brought to light in this eye-opening new documentary from filmmaker Morgan Neville, the accomplished director of such releases as “20 Feet from Stardom” (2013) and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” (2018). This offering examines a typical week in the production cycle of the show (one that often feels very much like a “seat of one’s pants” undertaking), intercut with archive footage from Michaels’ career (including stints as a writer for Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In (1969) and writer-producer of the Emmy Award-winning Lily Tomlin Special (1975)), clips from SNL through the years, and interviews with those who have worked with him as writers, producers and performers through the years. There’s also footage from some of his side projects, such as the TV series The Kids in the Hall (1988-1995) and 30 Rock (2006-2013), along with movie projects like “Three Amigos!” (1986) and SNL spinoff films like “Wayne’s World” (1992) and “Coneheads” (1993). In addition, the picture spotlights the outrageous and frequently silly humor and bold casting choices that have characterized much of the protagonist’s work, qualities that have come to distinguish it (and him) in the field of comedy for its brashness, unpredictability and willingness to push envelopes that some might find offensive, especially in the area of political satire. But one noteworthy quality that sets this documentary apart from the director’s other projects is the mischievous way it plays with the audience in telling its subject’s story: Given that Michaels is famously known as someone who roguishly likes to toy with others’ minds with his perfectly deadpan delivery, Neville does the same in presenting “the facts” of Michaels’ biography, often with hilarious, cleverly animated sequences, a delightful touch that keeps viewers guessing and is seldom employed in the often-deadly serious art of documentary filmmaking. Admittedly, there are times (especially early in the film) when this release feels a little “too inside” for its own good, as if it’s relying too heavily on material that only those closest to Michaels would fully be able to appreciate and understand. But, once the film gets past this, it provides audiences with a fun, nostalgic stroll down memory lane, providing insights into the mind of a comedic genius who is in a field by himself – and deservedly so.

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Status

Released

Original Language

Budget

—

Revenue

$435,275

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Lorne (2026)

Morgan Neville, Alan Lowe, Jake Hostetter

Where to watch

Top Billed Cast

Crew

Reviews

Brent Marchant

Recommended Movies

They Will Kill You

Disclosure Day

The Devil Wears Prada 2

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Status

Original Language

Budget

Revenue

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