Michael Che
Che in 2015
Birth nameMichael Che Campbell
Born (1983-05-19) May 19, 1983
New York City, U.S.
Medium
EducationFiorello H. LaGuardia High School
Years active2009–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Notable works and rolesWeekend Update anchor, The Daily Show correspondent, Saturday Night Live writer

Michael Che Campbell (/ˈtʃeɪ/; born May 19,[1] 1983)[2] is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. Che is best known for his work on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, where he has served as co-anchor on Weekend Update alongside Colin Jost, and the two were co-head writers from 2017 until 2022.[3] Che and Jost co-hosted the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2018.[4]

Che was briefly a correspondent for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and has previously worked as a writer for Saturday Night Live. At the end of September 2014, he became a Weekend Update co-anchor for the 40th season of Saturday Night Live alongside Colin Jost, replacing Cecily Strong.[5]

Early life

Michael Che Campbell was born in Manhattan, New York City, New York, the youngest of seven children of Rose and Nathaniel Campbell.[6] He has four older brothers and two older sisters.[7] One of his older brothers is a detective with the New York Police Department, and another retired from law enforcement.[7][8] His father named Michael after the revolutionary Che Guevara.[9]

Che was raised on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.[10] He graduated from the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts.[11][12]

Che worked in customer service for a Toyota car dealership for two years. He also created acrylic portraits of celebrities, printed the portraits on T-shirts, and sold them in SoHo. Tommy Hilfiger noticed his work and offered Che freelance work, but he did not turn in any designs.[13]

Career

Beginnings and Saturday Night Live

Che in 2013

Che started performing stand-up comedy in 2009, regularly working several sets per night.[14] In 2012, Che appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman.[14][15] In 2013, Variety called Che one of "10 Comics to Watch",[16] while Rolling Stone named him one of "The 50 Funniest People".[11]

Che joined Saturday Night Live as a writer in 2013, at first as a guest writer and soon after as staff writer.[14] On April 28, 2014, it was announced that Che would join The Daily Show in June as a correspondent.[15][17] Che made his onscreen debut as a Daily Show correspondent on June 4. Although he appeared in only nine segments during his brief tenure on the show, he was lauded by TV Guide for his work. His signature piece for the Daily Show was "Race/Off: Live From Somewhere", a satirical commentary on the 2014 Ferguson protests. In this segment, Che "reported" from various locations (with frequent background changes accomplished via chroma key), looking for a place where a black man would not be harassed by police officers. The sketch ended with Che floating in outer space.[18]

On September 11, 2014, it was announced that Che would take over Cecily Strong's position as a Weekend Update co-anchor for the 40th season of SNL, co-anchoring the segment with Colin Jost.[5] Che is the first African-American co-anchor in the history of Weekend Update.[19] During his first two seasons, Che primarily hosted Weekend Update and rarely appeared in any sketches. During his third season, Che was promoted to the main cast. In December 2017, Che was named co-head writer of Saturday Night Live.[20] Vulture.com's Megh Wright complimented the Weekend Update joke-swapping segment where Che writes shockingly racist jokes for Jost to deliver.[21] Che resigned as head writer ahead of the show's 48th season in 2022.[3]

At a stand-up show on March 26, 2022, Che announced that he was leaving the desk after the current season, although he didn't state when or why he was leaving.[22] After initially denying in an Instagram post he would leave, he later told Tony Dokoupil on the May 15, 2022 edition of CBS News Sunday Morning that he was uncertain about his future on SNL.[23][24]

Other appearances

In 2014, Che appeared in the movie Top Five, appearing as one of Chris Rock's character's friends.[25]

On September 17, 2018, Che co-hosted the Emmy Awards with Colin Jost.[26] Che and Jost also appeared on the March 4, 2019, episode of WWE's Monday Night Raw, where both were announced as special correspondents for WrestleMania 35. The pair got involved in a storyline with wrestler Braun Strowman, which eventually resulted in Che and Jost becoming participants in the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania.[27]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role
2013 Chinese Puzzle Un passant
2014 Lyle Threes
2014 Top Five Paul

Television

Year Series Role Notes
2012 John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show Himself Episode: "3.5"
2013–present Saturday Night Live Himself, Various Also writer
2014 The Half Hour Himself Stand-up special
2014 The Daily Show Himself 9 episodes
2016 Michael Che Matters Himself, Executive Producer, Writer Netflix special
2017 Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday Himself, Writer 3 episodes; also writer
2017 Detroiters Actor, Writer 1 episode
2018 70th Primetime Emmy Awards Himself (host), Writer TV special
2018 Seth Rogen's Hilarity for Charity Himself TV special
2018 Bumping Mics with Jeff Ross & Dave Attell' Himself 1 episode
2019 The Other Two Himself 1 episode
2019 Sesame Street Himself Guest
2019 WWE Raw Himself Special guest (2 episodes)[28][27][29]
2019 WrestleMania 35 Himself Special guest
2021–Present That Damn Michael Che Himself, Executive Producer, Writer Creator, Writer
2021 Michael Che: Shame the Devil Himself, Writer Netflix Special
2021 Quest for Craft Actor 1 episode
2022 Ziwe Himself Episode: "Men!"
2022 Sean Patton: Number One Executive Producer

Awards and honors

Year Award Nominated work Result
2015 Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) – Series[30] Saturday Night Live Nominated
2016 Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series[31] Saturday Night Live Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series[32] Saturday Night Live Nominated
2017 Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series[33] Saturday Night Live Won
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series[34] Saturday Night Live Nominated
2018 Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series[35] Saturday Night Live Won
Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series[35] Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series[36] Saturday Night Live Nominated
2019 Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series[37] Saturday Night Live Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series[38] Saturday Night Live Nominated
2020 Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series[39] Saturday Night Live Nominated
2022 Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series[40] Saturday Night Live Nominated
Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series[40] That Damn Michael Che Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Michael Che Repertory Player/Weekend Update Co-Anchor Bio". NBC. Archived from the original on April 16, 2020. Retrieved April 16, 2020. Che is a native of Manhattan and currently resides in the city. His birthday is May 19.
  2. ↑ Raptopoulos, Lilah (September 15, 2014). "Michael Che and Pete Davidson: meet SNL's two newest cast members". The Guardian. UK. Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved April 16, 2020. Che, 31,...
  3. 1 2 "Miles Teller/Kendrick Lamar". Saturday Night Live. Season 48. Episode 1. October 1, 2022. Event occurs at Closing credits. NBC.
  4. ↑ Bradley, Laura. "Colin Jost and Michael Che on Their Emmys Debut". Vanity Fair.
  5. 1 2 Carter, Bill (September 11, 2014). "New Comic to Anchor 'Update' on 'S.N.L.'". The New York Times. Retrieved September 11, 2014.
  6. ↑ Seabaugh, Julie (June 3, 2014). "How New York Comedian Michael Che Willed His Way to SNL and The Daily Show". Runnin' Scared; Village Voice. Archived from the original on October 19, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  7. 1 2 "Michael Che Talks About the Black Lives Matter Protests". Late Night with Seth Meyers. June 2, 2020.
  8. ↑ Rosen, Christopher. "Michael Che Really Wishes His 2016 Black Lives Matter Joke Wasn't Still Topical". Vanity Fair. CN Entertainment. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Talking to Michael Che About Touring the World and Making Standup Glamorous". Splitsider. Archived from the original on September 16, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
  10. ↑ Ferré-Sadurní, Luis (January 9, 2019). "Michael Che Grew Up in New York City’s Projects. Now He’s Trying to Help Them". The New York Times.
  11. 1 2 "The 50 Funniest People Now". Rolling Stone. January 24, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2014.
  12. ↑ Angelo, Megan (November 2, 2012). "City-Bred Comic Has His Heart in the Club". The New York Times. Retrieved August 27, 2014.
  13. ↑ Huddleston, Jr., Tom (September 18, 2018). "How Emmys host Michael Che went from selling T-shirts on a NYC street-corner to 'Saturday Night Live' star". CNBC.
  14. 1 2 3 Greenstein, Colette (February 19, 2014). "in the Mix: Comedian Michael Che talks stand-up, SNL writing gig". The Bay State Banner. ProQuest 1504068621.
  15. 1 2 Busis, Hillary (April 28, 2014). "Michael Che: 5 things to know". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  16. ↑ Barker, Andrew (July 17, 2013). "10 Comics to Watch: 'SNL' Writer Michael Che Hones Chops in Edinburgh". Variety. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  17. ↑ Boedeker, Hal. "Daily Show names Michael Che correspondent". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on April 29, 2014. Retrieved April 28, 2014.
  18. ↑ Rudolph, Ileane (July 27, 2015). "Alumni Association: A roundup of 'The Daily Show''s coolest Graduates". TV Guide. pp. 21–22.
  19. ↑ Dawn, Randee. "'Saturday Night Live' taps Michael Che as first black Weekend Update anchor". today.com. Retrieved September 12, 2014.
  20. ↑ Robinson, Joanna (December 13, 2017). "Saturday Night Live Makes Its Most Baffling Move Yet". Vanity Fair. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  21. ↑ Wright, Megh (May 20, 2019). "SNL's Weekend Update Is Best When Colin Jost and Michael Che Torture Each Other". Vulture.com. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
  22. ↑ Preston, Rohan (March 26, 2022). "At Minneapolis show, Michael Che says he's leaving the anchor desk at 'SNL'". Star Tribune. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  23. ↑ @chethinks (March 27, 2022). "to comedy fans; please stop telling reporters everything you hear at a comedy show. youre spoiling the trick" – via Instagram.
  24. ↑ "Michael Che on controversial comedy: "As long as people are talking it's not all that bad."". CBS News. May 15, 2022. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
  25. ↑ Sandoval, Lapacazo (December 12, 2014). "Rock makes another hit with 'Top Five'". New York Amsterdam News. ProQuest 1640492817.
  26. ↑ Gajanan, Mahita (September 18, 2018). "Here Are the Best Jokes From Michael Che and Colin Jost's Emmys 2018 Monologue". Time. Retrieved September 18, 2018.
  27. 1 2 Powell, Jason (March 4, 2019). "3/4 Powell's WWE Raw TV Review: Triple H's response to Batista attacking Ric Flair, Charlotte Flair wants Vince McMahon to name her the Raw Women's Champion, SNL Weekend Update hosts appear, final hype for WWE Fastlane". ProWrestling.net. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  28. ↑ "SNL "Weekend Update" hosts Michael Che & Colin Jost to be special guests on Raw". WWE. March 3, 2019.
  29. ↑ Powell, Jason (March 25, 2019). "3/25 Powell's WWE Raw TV Review: Ronda Rousey, Becky Lynch, and Charlotte Flair face Riott Squad in Beat The Clock Challenge matches, Kurt Angle vs. Samoa Joe, the penultimate edition before WrestleMania 35". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  30. ↑ McNary, Dave (December 4, 2014). "'Game of Thrones,' 'True Detective,' 'Transparent' Lead WGA TV Nominations". Variety. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  31. ↑ McNary, Dave (January 6, 2016). "'The Martian,' 'Straight Outta Compton' Land Writers Guild Nominations". Variety. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  32. ↑ Lewis, Dave (July 14, 2016). "Nominations for the 68th Primetime Emmy Awards". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  33. ↑ Petski, Denise. "WGA TV Nominations: 'The Americans', 'Stranger Things', 'Westworld', 'This Is Us' Among Nominees". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  34. ↑ "Emmys 2017: Full List of Nominations". Variety. July 13, 2017. Retrieved July 13, 2017.
  35. 1 2 Pedersen, Erik (December 7, 2017). "WGA Awards: Top TV Noms Include 'Handmaid's Tale', 'Stranger Things', 'The Americans', 'GLOW'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
  36. ↑ "Emmys: Netflix Beats HBO With Most Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. July 12, 2018. Retrieved July 12, 2018.
  37. ↑ McNary, Dave (December 6, 2018). "Writers Guild Awards Announces 2019 TV Nominees". Variety. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  38. ↑ Aridi, Sara (July 16, 2019). "Here's a Full List of the 2019 Emmy Nominations". The New York Times. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  39. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (July 22, 2019). "WGA Sets Writers Guild Awards 2019–20 Timeline". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  40. 1 2 Hipes, Patrick (January 13, 2022). "WGA Awards TV Nominations: 'Yellowjackets', 'Hacks', 'Loki', 'Only Murders In The Building' Join Usual Suspects On List". Deadline. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
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