Kenan Thompson Is Just Getting Started And Speaking Out On GERD

Forbes

20-05-2025

Actor, Comedian, Author Kenan Thompson
When you sit down with Kenan Thompson, what strikes you first isn't the fame — it's the familiarity.
It's a warm afternoon in New York as we meet for our interview, and before we even formally start, there's laughter about camera angles and seating. "Wherever you feel comfortable," Kenan jokes, adjusting slightly in his chair as we work through the final framing of the shot. There's no pretense, just a natural ease that fills the room — a reminder that beneath the accolades and record-breaking career, Kenan Thompson is, at his core, someone who makes people feel at home.
After a few laughs and some last-minute tweaks to the setup — "Focus is all the focus," he says playfully, turning his head so the lens locks in — we dive into a conversation that's as real as it is revealing.
Most millennials grew up watching Kenan on All That, Kenan & Kel, and his role in Good Burger remains a pop culture milestone for an entire generation. But what Kenan has built since then is even more extraordinary: a career that spans decades, a body of work that continues to break ground, and a presence that refuses to be anything but authentic.
Now in his 22nd season at Saturday Night Live — the longest-running cast member in the show's history — Kenan is still evolving. "It's wild," he says, shaking his head slightly. "If you told my younger self I'd be here today, I wouldn't have believed it. But I also wouldn't have been out here bragging either. You just keep your humble hat on and keep serving."
For Kenan, art is service — a way to reflect, heal and uplift society. And sustaining that for over two decades, he tells me, is nothing short of a blessing.
But Kenan's impact isn't limited to what happens in front of the camera.
Through his company Artists for Artists, which he co-founded with longtime friend Johnny Ryan, Kenan is carving out new paths for creators to own their work and their futures.
"We're just two buds with an LLC," he says modestly, before expanding. "But really, we're trying to change how artists navigate the business. They should have ownership over what they help create. They should be building equity for themselves — not just momentary fame."
Projects like the upcoming film The Halloween Store — featuring Anthony Michael Hall, Simon Rex, and Natalie Lynn — reflect that ethos. Produced with a family-driven spirit, the project exemplifies the kind of supportive, creator-first environments Artists for Artists aims to champion.
"We're like a 360 incubator," Kenan explains. "Whether it's launching a jewelry line, producing content, or helping talent make smart career moves — it's about giving people tools to build something lasting."
It's impossible to talk about Kenan without talking about Saturday Night Live — the cultural institution where he's spent 22 seasons redefining what consistency, versatility and brilliance look like on stage.
"I still can't believe it sometimes," he says, laughing. "If you had told my younger self that I would be here, doing this, for over two decades, I wouldn't have believed you."
Yet behind the glitz of live comedy and the viral skits is a deeper truth. For Kenan, SNL is more than a platform; it's a service to society.
"Art is a service," he says, thoughtfully. "It reflects who we are, what we're feeling. The smiles, the laughter, the pats on the back — that's what keeps me going."
As the show just celebrated it's 50th anniversary, Kenan reflects on what the journey has taught him: humility, gratitude and a fierce commitment to staying connected to the people who built him — his family, mentors, and the community that shaped his values.
"That place is crazy, in the best way," he says with a laugh. "It's a blessing to have a job — any job — but to have this one, for this long, it's humbling."
The secret to his longevity? Gratitude and a sense of duty.
"I always remember that it's bigger than me," he says. "Comedy is a service. It's about what we can give to society. And every laugh, every smile — that's the real paycheck."
Kenan Thompson
Midway through our conversation, a more personal layer of Kenan's journey emerges — his experience living with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease), a chronic condition affecting more than 65 million Americans.
"For a long time, I just brushed it off as heartburn," he says, his tone shifting — still warm, but more reflective. "You grow up thinking, 'That's just life,' you know? Eat bad, feel bad. You pop a tums and keep it moving. I didn't realize how much I was hurting myself by ignoring it."
In Kenan's case, the symptoms weren't just uncomfortable — they were beginning to impact the very thing he relies on for his career: his voice.
"There were times during SNL when I'd lose my voice by the second sketch," he recalls. "I sing a warm-up song before every show — high-energy, big notes — and I started noticing that some nights, I couldn't even get through it. I'd be hoarse, cracking on certain words, struggling to catch my breath in cold opens. That wasn't just fatigue. That was my body telling me something was wrong."
The tipping point came when over-the-counter remedies stopped working altogether. "No amount of lozenges or ginger tea was fixing it," he says. "I needed real help."
After finally consulting a doctor, Kenan was diagnosed with GERD and prescribed FREQUENZA, the first FDA-approved treatment of its kind for the condition. The results, he says, were life-changing.
"It was like I got a piece of myself back," he shares. "I could sing. I could perform. I could breathe. You don't realize how much chronic discomfort weighs you down until you're on the other side of it."
Kenan's experience isn't uncommon — particularly among men and within Black communities, where there's often stigma around seeking medical care until symptoms become unmanageable.
"It's the 'tough it out' mentality," he says. "Especially for Black men — we're taught to be strong, not to complain, not to show weakness. But ignoring your health isn't strength. Taking care of yourself, being proactive — that's strength."
Determined to break the silence, Kenan partnered with Fathom Pharmaceuticals to launch the "GERD Is No Joke" campaign, a national initiative using humor to drive home a serious message.
In the campaign, Kenan plays a lively chef whipping up delicious dishes — but unable to enjoy them because of his condition. It's a creative, relatable way to bring awareness to an issue too many suffer with silently.
"I didn't want it to feel preachy," he explains. "I wanted it to feel real. Because it is real."
Beyond the campaign, Kenan also developed a downloadable wellness guide filled with practical tips — from recognizing early symptoms to advocating for yourself in the doctor's office.
When I ask him what advice he would give to others who might be ignoring warning signs, he doesn't hesitate:
"First step: Pick up the phone. Make the appointment," he says. "Don't wait until the problem gets bigger than you. You deserve to feel good. You deserve to live fully."
He smiles, thoughtful. "At the end of the day, your health is the foundation for everything else. Your dreams, your purpose, your ability to give back — none of it matters if you're not here to do it."
As we wrap, I asked Kenan about something deeper: legacy. How does he hope to be remembered when the cameras finally stop rolling?
"I'm a giver," he says without hesitation. "I love my community. I love my culture. I take pride in representing that, every single day."
He leans back slightly, reflective. "You can't give without love. Whether it's a laugh, an opportunity, a moment of joy — those are gifts. And I hope when people look back, they see someone who gave more than he ever asked for."
In the end, it's not just Kenan Thompson's longevity that cements his place in history — it's his humanity. The way he shows up. The way he uplifts. The way he makes you feel like you belong, even if you just met him five minutes ago.
As our interview ends, he smiles warmly: 'Thank you for this. This was special.'
From the stages of Nickelodeon to SNL, from launching a creator-first business to advocating for health awareness, Kenan Thompson has proven that staying true to who you are — and finding ways to give back — is the greatest success of all.
And somehow, it feels like he's just getting started.