Dana Carvey skips SNL 50th anniversary due to illness
- Dana Carvey was a cast member on SNL from 1986 to 1993 and had recently returned to portray President Joe Biden.
- His absence from the anniversary special prompted curiosity, which was later explained as due to illness.
- Carvey's missing attendance highlights the event's significance, as many celebrated SNL's rich legacy.
In February 2025, Dana Carvey did not attend the Saturday Night Live 50th anniversary special held at Studio 8H, New York. Despite having made recent appearances on the show as President Joe Biden, Carvey's absence was unexpected. A representative reported that he was suffering from a bad flu and, consequently, was unable to fly. His absence was particularly noted among several former cast members like Bill Hader and Dan Aykroyd, each missing for their reasons including scheduling conflicts and prior commitments. Other notable cast members also missed the event, yet it gathered a significant number of alumni celebrating half a century of shared history and memorable moments from the iconic show. The SNL special was significant as it reunited many beloved figures from its storied past, emphasizing the cultural impact of the series over the decades. Carvey had expressed excitement about being part of the anniversary and had even joked about performing a new Wayne's World sketch, making his absence felt more profoundly by fans and followers of the show, who eagerly anticipated his participation in this landmark reunion event.