Beck Bennett Reveals Weight Loss Pressure During ‘SNL’ Tenure
Former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Beck Bennett recently opened up about a challenging experience during his time on the show, detailing pressure he faced to lose weight. The comedian, 41, shared his story on the latest episode of Vulture’s “Good One” podcast, shedding light on a “controversial” situation that impacted his early years with the iconic sketch comedy program.
Bennett recounted that during his second season in 2014, he was told by multiple individuals – “in some sh–ty ways,” as he described it – that he needed to lose weight. He deliberately refrained from naming those involved, explaining that there was “definitely somebody, who I don’t think people would know, that handled it in ways that were upsetting and frustrating and hard.”
The comedian, who was a cast member from 2013 to 2021, explained the delicate nature of the conversation. “There was somebody who put it to me in a way that kind of made it click,” he recalled. “Again, I don’t want to say that person’s name because asking somebody to lose weight is, you know, controversial. But it was put to me in a way where I was like, ‘Oh, that kind of makes sense.’”
Bennett elaborated on the realities of the entertainment industry, stating, “It’s like you want to be comfortable. You want to be confident. If I’m there to play these certain parts, I want to be able to be that person, to look like that person. That’s kind of the reality of our business.” He acknowledged a positive shift in representation, noting that “there are different body types playing different parts that they hadn’t been able to play in a while, which is great.”
The pressure to change his physique ultimately led Bennett to accept a role in a short film titled “How To Lose Weight In 4 Easy Steps!” “This short came up and I was like, ‘Great, I’ll lose weight for this,’ and I lost like 30 pounds,” he shared. He also noted that, around this time, he began working with a therapist, which helped him navigate the situation.
“SNL” has been contacted for comment.
Bennett’s departure from “SNL” came at the end of Season 46 in September 2021. He expressed his gratitude for his time on the show in an Instagram post, writing, “Love you, SNL. Gonna miss you so much.” He continued, “Thank you for 8 years of remarkable people and incredible experiences that completely changed my life. I had so much fun.”
Despite leaving the show, Bennett appeared to enjoy his experience at the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” last year, describing it as “amazing.” He said he was fully included in the event, getting to perform and reconnect with former colleagues. “I got to be there at rehearsal on Friday and Saturday and got to hang out with everybody and see all the castmembers that I was there with. It was so nice and easy.”
