Lorne Michaels
Born 1944 · Age 81
Canadian‑American television and film producer, comedian, screenwriter and director; creator and long‑time executive producer of Saturday Night Live and founder of Broadway Video.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Lorne Michaels and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born Lorne David Lipowitz in Toronto
Born to Florence (née Becker) and Abraham Lipowitz in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Father Abraham Lipowitz dies; changes name
Father Abraham Lipowitz died (1908–1959). Sources say Michaels began using the surname 'Michaels' around this time; Horatio Alger notes he changed his name when he was 14.
Graduated University of Toronto (B.A. English)
Graduated from University College, University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Arts in English (1966).
Joined CBC Radio as writer and broadcaster
Began career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a writer/broadcaster; partnered early with Hart Pomerantz.
Married Rosie (Rosalind) Shuster
Married Rosie Shuster (daughter of comedian Frank Shuster); she later worked as an SNL writer. (Sources list marriage in 1967.)
Wrote for 'Barris & Co.' and 'The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show'
Television writing credits include Barris & Co. (CBC) and The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show (NBC) in 1968.
Moved to Los Angeles to write for TV variety shows
Moved to Los Angeles with Hart Pomerantz to write for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show.
Wrote for Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and The Jim Nabors Hour
Wrote for major US variety/sketch series, furthering his TV-writing career.
Starred in 'The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour' (CBC)
Co‑starred, wrote and produced the CBC sketch specials (1970–1971) with Hart Pomerantz.
Wrote for 'The Burns and Schreiber Comedy Hour'
Wrote for the ABC summer variety sketch series; the work led to producing Lily Tomlin specials.
Produced Lily Tomlin specials; won Emmy
Hired by Lily Tomlin to produce a series of TV specials; the first of the specials won an Emmy and raised Michaels' profile.
Hired by NBC to create 'NBC's Saturday Night' (SNL)
Created the new late‑night live sketch show for NBC with Dick Ebersol and Herb Schlosser; originally titled NBC's Saturday Night.
Saturday Night premiere (first episode)
NBC's Saturday Night (later SNL) premiered with host George Carlin; immediate cultural impact and early Emmy recognition.
On‑air Beatles reunion offer
Appeared in SNL's first season offering The Beatles US$3,000 (later said $3,200) to reunite on the show; the money was never claimed.
George Harrison musical guest (SNL)
George Harrison appeared as musical guest on Nov 20, 1976; Michaels noted his Beatles offer was conditional on all four members appearing.
Founded Broadway Video production company
Established Broadway Video, a production company that would produce SNL and numerous other projects.
Divorced Rosie Shuster
Divorce from Rosie Shuster finalized in 1980.
Left Saturday Night Live (hiatus)
Took a hiatus from SNL (departed after the 1975–1980 run); SNL seasons 6–10 were produced during his absence.
Married Susan Forristal
Married model Susan Forristal in 1981 (divorced 1987).
Broadway Video begins producing SNL (company involvement)
Broadway Video became the production company behind Saturday Night Live (since 1981).
Created 'The New Show' (NBC); canceled after 9 episodes
While on hiatus from SNL, created The New Show (prime time sketch series); it premiered January 1984 and was cancelled after nine episodes.
Produced 'Nothing Lasts Forever' (unreleased film)
From his MGM deal, the Tom Schiller film Nothing Lasts Forever (featuring Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd) was produced but the studio did not release it.
Returned to Saturday Night Live as executive producer
Recruited back by NBC to revive and run SNL; resumed role as executive producer (1985–present).
Divorced Susan Forristal; became U.S. citizen
Divorce from Susan Forristal finalized in 1987; Michaels became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1987.
Created/produced 'The Kids in the Hall' (Canada)
Produced Canadian sketch comedy The Kids in the Hall; premiered on CBC in 1988.
The Kids in the Hall debuts in U.S. on HBO
The Kids in the Hall arrived in the U.S. market on HBO in 1989.
Married Alice Barry
Married Alice Barry (his former assistant) in 1991; the couple have three children (Sophie, Henry, Edward).
Produced film 'Wayne's World'
Broadway Video/production credit: Wayne's World (1992), a film derived from SNL sketches.
Became executive producer of 'Late Night' (Conan O'Brien)
Selected Conan O'Brien to host Late Night; served as executive producer for Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993–2009).
Produced 'Wayne's World 2' and other early '90s films
Film producer credits included Wayne's World 2 (1993) among other SNL‑derived features.
Produced 'Tommy Boy' and other mid‑90s films
Producer credits include Tommy Boy (1995), Stuart Saves His Family (1995), Black Sheep (1996) and other SNL-related features.
Inducted into Television Hall of Fame and Hollywood Walk of Fame star
In 1999 Michaels was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; also received an honorary degree from Ryerson University.
Appointed Member of the Order of Canada (C.M.)
Awarded membership in the Order of Canada (investiture Feb 21, 2003).
Received star on Canada's Walk of Fame
Recognized on Canada's Walk of Fame (2003).
Awarded Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Received the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2004.
Produced film 'Mean Girls'
Producer credit for Mean Girls (2004), a commercially successful comedy film.
Received Governor General's Performing Arts Award (Lifetime)
Canada's highest performing-arts honor: Lifetime Artistic Achievement (2006).
Produced Broadway 'Mean Girls' (later touring)
Producer credit on the Mean Girls stage musical, which went to Broadway and toured (stage production opening on Broadway in 2018; he is listed as producer on stage/film adaptations).
Executive producer of '30 Rock' begins
Served as executive producer on Tina Fey's 30 Rock (2006–2013), among other scripted shows produced under his oversight.
Named one of Time's '100 Most Influential People' (first listing)
Time included Michaels on its 'Time 100' list (2008); he was again on the list in 2015.
TCA Career Achievement and Norman Lear Achievement recognitions
Received TCA Career Achievement Award (2008) and previously the Norman Lear Achievement Award (2004).
Webby Award – Film & Video Lifetime Achievement
Awarded the Webby for Film & Video Lifetime Achievement (2008).
Executive producer credits expand ('Portlandia', 'Up All Night')
Executive-produced Portlandia (2011–2018), Up All Night (2011–2013) and other series showcasing SNL alums and writers.
Received a Personal Peabody Award
Awarded an Individual (Personal) Peabody Award for career achievements (2012).
Announced as executive producer of The Tonight Show
April 3, 2013: NBC announced Michaels would take over as executive producer for The Tonight Show; led to the show moving to New York with Jimmy Fallon.
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon moves to New York
The Tonight Show moved to New York in early 2014 under Michaels' oversight; Michaels listed as executive producer.
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
Received the United States' highest civilian honor from President Barack Obama (Nov 22, 2016).
Producer credit: 'Mean Girls' Broadway (2018)
Produced the Mean Girls musical on Broadway (2018) and North American tour.
Promoted to Companion of the Order of Canada (C.C.)
Promoted within the Order of Canada to Companion on May 11, 2018 (a higher rank within the order).
Cannes Lions Entertainment Person of the Year
Honored as the inaugural Entertainment Person of the Year at Cannes Lions (2019).
Kennedy Center Honors recipient
Honored at the Kennedy Center Honors in December 2021 (along with other notable artists).
SNL remains ongoing (executive producer through 2022+)
Michaels continued as creator/executive producer of SNL (created 1975; producer 1975–1980, 1985–present), overseeing five decades of the show and its talent pipeline.
Accrued numerous Emmy nominations and wins (career total cited)
Historically one of the most‑nominated individuals in Primetime Emmy history; sources (Wikipedia) state he has received 21 Primetime Emmy Awards from 106 nominations (counts vary by date).
Producer: 'Leopoldstadt' (Broadway) — Tony Award Best Play
Produced the Broadway play Leopoldstadt (2022); the play won the Tony Award for Best Play (2023).
Horatio Alger Award (Class of 2022)
Named a Horatio Alger Award recipient (Class of 2022) recognizing perseverance and success.
Peabody Award for 'Los Espookys' (as EP); Peabody nomination for 'Documentary Now!'
Received a Peabody Award for work as executive producer of Los Espookys (2022) and a nomination for producing Documentary Now!.
Produced 'Mean Girls' (2024 film credit listed)
Listed as Producer for the 2024 film 'Mean Girls' (musical adaptation film produced by Paramount).
Subject portrayed in film 'Saturday Night' (Gabriel LaBelle as Michaels)
Gabriel LaBelle plays Michaels in the 2024 dramatization of behind‑the‑scenes events leading up to SNL's first episode.
Estimated net worth reported ~US$500M
As of January 2025 various outlets (Celebrity Net Worth cited by Biography.com) estimate Michaels' net worth at roughly US$500 million.
Announced donation of Lorne Michaels archives to Harry Ransom Center
On Jan 15, 2025, announced donation of archival materials to the Harry Ransom Center at the University of Texas at Austin; collection to be available for research Jan 2026.
SNL 50th Anniversary events (SNL50 concert & specials)
Celebrated 50 years of SNL with weekend events (SNL50: The Homecoming Concert streamed Feb 14; anniversary special Feb 16; re‑airing of first episode).
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Lorne Michaels and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
David Rubenstein
Born 1949 · Age 76
American lawyer, businessman, philanthropist; co-founder and co-chairman of The Carlyle Group; owner of the Baltimore Orioles; major donor to cultural and historic institutions.
Tadashi Yanai
Born 1949 · Age 76
Japanese billionaire entrepreneur; founder, chairman and president of Fast Retailing (parent of Uniqlo). Built Uniqlo into a global apparel giant and is (May 2025) Japan's richest person.
Bernard Arnault
Born 1949 · Age 76
French businessman, investor and art collector; chairman and CEO of LVMH, builder of the world's largest luxury-goods group and one of the world's richest individuals.
Ray Dalio
Born 1949 · Age 76
Founder of Bridgewater Associates (1975). Influential hedge-fund manager, author of Principles, major philanthropist, popularized risk parity and an 'idea meritocracy' corporate culture.
Miuccia Prada
Born 1949 · Age 76
Italian fashion designer and businesswoman; head designer of Prada and founder of Miu Miu; longtime creative force behind the Prada Group and collector/ patron of contemporary art.
Zhang Ruimin
Born 1949 · Age 76
Founder of Haier Group; transformed a failing state refrigerator factory into a global appliance and IoT platform company. Known for management innovations including the Rendanheyi model and extreme quality-driven culture.