Will Forte Recounts His Infamous ‘SNL’ Audition: A Tale of Gold Paint and NSFW Lyrics
June 17, 2025 – Will Forte, the beloved and often bizarre comedic genius, recently offered a candid look back at his legendary, and famously raunchy, audition for Saturday Night Live. The actor and writer, known for his uniquely off-kilter characters and unwavering commitment to the bit, shed light on the performance that ultimately landed him a coveted spot on the iconic sketch comedy show.
Forte’s SNL audition has long been the stuff of legend within comedy circles, with whispers of its outrageous nature preceding any detailed accounts. Now, the man himself has pulled back the curtain, revealing a performance that was as audacious as it was memorable.
Among the various characters Forte presented, including his now-famous soft-spoken politician Tim Calhoun and a speed reader, it was his final, most audacious offering that truly stood out. Drawing from his days with the esteemed Groundlings improv troupe, Forte resurrected “The Gold Man.” This character, a street performer covered head-to-toe in gold paint, would typically remain statuesque until a tip was dropped, at which point he would offer a few mechanical movements.
However, Forte’s SNL audition took a decidedly X-rated turn. The Gold Man’s performance culminated in a song that, according to Forte, devolved into a shockingly explicit chorus, repeatedly uttering graphic terms to describe how the character paid for his distinctive face paint.
“That’s how I ended the thing,” Forte reportedly shared, reflecting on the moment he finished the performance and approached SNL creator Lorne Michaels. His immediate reaction? A sheepish “Sorry for all the [bleeps].”
To the surprise of many, including Forte himself, this boundary-pushing act didn’t deter Michaels. In fact, it seems to have cemented Forte’s place in the cast. Mike Schur, a former SNL writer who went on to create hit shows like Parks and Recreation, has even stated that out of all the auditions he’s witnessed for the show, “nobody has ever made [Lorne Michaels] laugh harder than Will Forte.”
Forte’s anecdote not only offers a hilarious glimpse into the high-stakes world of SNL auditions but also underscores his unique comedic sensibility – a blend of the absurd, the committed, and the utterly fearless. It’s a testament to the idea that sometimes, the most unexpected and even outrageous choices are the ones that truly pay off in the cutthroat world of comedy.
