Latest news with #GoodBurger
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Kenan Thompson Is Just Getting Started And Speaking Out On GERD
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.
USA Today
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Jets WR seemingly shoots down Aaron Rodgers reunion amid Steelers trade rumors
Jets WR seemingly shoots down Aaron Rodgers reunion amid Steelers trade rumors The Steelers set the NFL world ablaze with their recent trade of George Pickens to the Cowboys — a move that left a huge WR2-sized hole on Pittsburgh's offense. However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk quickly reported that a former teammate of Aaron Rodgers, Allen Lazard, was "in play" to be traded to the Steelers to alleviate the issue — a notion that the Jets WR seemingly shot down. As soon as the rumors began to circulate, Lazard posted a Good Burger meme serving as his surprised reaction to the news. Lazard would then post another meme — this time from The Wolf of Wall Street, showing the beginning of Leonardo DiCaprio's famous scene: "I'm not leaving." It would appear that the rumors surrounding a potential Lazard-Rodgers reunion ended as quickly as they started — but if the Jets WR really is staying put in New York, who, if anyone, will replace Pickens on the Steelers?
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
California culinary star dies after hiking in Hawaii
CARLSBAD, Calif. (KSWB/KUSI) – Gianna Buzzetta wasn't a rising star in the culinary world, she was at the top of the game. At 26, she was helping to win Michelin stars for Carlsbad's Jeune et Jolie for three years as an executive pastry chef. Now, her restaurant community is mourning the loss of a beloved colleague after Buzzetta was killed in a freak accident in Kauai, Hawaii, while hiking with her boyfriend last week. 'We all heard the news, and it was obviously paralyzing, and not knowing what to do,' said John Resnick, the owner of Jeune et Jolie. Resnick says Buzzetta was one of the best of them. Jan Schwieterman, star of Nickelodeon's 'Good Burger' movie, dies at 52 'She was a huge part of the team. Super creative, super talented, incredibly hardworking. Humble, confident, I mean all these things that we want to see in the people we work with, and so from that professional talent standpoint, she was incredible and then just as a person you wanted to be around. Our whole team loved working alongside her,' Resnick said. The loss is incomprehensible but Resnick says the Buzzetta family has a bond extremely powerful and rare. 'Hearing them talk about her makes me want to be a better dad, just like the relationship they have with her is incredible,' Resnick said. Resnick says with the rescue and medical costs off the charts the Buzzetta family needs all the help they can get so his team will be opening up on Monday, April 7 and donating all proceeds to assist with the bills. 'This time I think it's like coming together to celebrate the relationships that people had with Gianna, if you didn't know her, you can still come in and support the family,' Resnick said. The dinner service starts at 5 p.m. and runs through the evening, with last seating at 9 p.m. A donation fund has been set up for Buzzetta. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Cruise passenger suffers fatal accident during stop in Bahamas: ‘Tragic'
(NEXSTAR) – A guest on Holland America cruise was killed on Saturday while riding a personal watercraft, police in the Bahamas say. The guest, identified as a 73-year-old woman by Holland America, had been a passenger aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam liner, which had left from Florida on March 16 for a weeklong cruise to the Caribbean. The incident occurred in Half Moon Cay, in the Bahamas, the day before the ship was scheduled to return to Fort Lauderdale, the Royal Bahamian Police Force indicated. Authorities with the Police Force said 'the female who was a passenger … was riding a Jet ski when she allegedly lost control and collided with a rock.' They also identified her as a British/Czechoslovakian national. 'Medical personnel rendered assistance to the victim but to no avail,' police wrote. 'She was pronounced dead by the local medical doctor.' Actor from Nickelodeon's 'Good Burger' movie dies at 52 A representative for Holland America Line, in a statement to Nexstar, confirmed 'a tragic incident on a personal watercraft,' but declined to provide further information. 'We are in contact with the guest's family and doing everything we can to support them during this difficult time,' the statement read. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jan Schwieterman, ‘Good Burger' Actor, Dies at 52
Jan Schwieterman, who portrayed the antagonist Kurt Bozwell alongside Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell in the 1997 Nickelodeon spinoff movie Good Burger, has died. He was 52. Schwieterman died Feb. 28 at Mercy Hospital in Washington, Missouri, his family announced. His brother, Chad, wrote on Facebook that he recently had been diagnosed with 'an aggressive form' of Stage 4 cancer. More from The Hollywood Reporter Wings Hauser, Actor in 'Vice Squad' and 'A Soldier's Story,' Dies at 77 Marty Callner, Director of Iconic Music Videos, Concert Specials and Stand-Up Shows, Dies at 78 Philip Rogers, 'Love on a Rooftop' and 'Shoot to Kill' Producer, Dies at 90 In Paramount's Good Burger, directed by Brian Robbins — who co-created the Nickelodeon sketch comedy series All That, from which the movie emanated — Schwieterman starred as Bozwell, the evil owner and manager of Mondo Burger, rival of the Good Burger restaurant where Thompson and Mitchell's Dexter and Ed work. Born in Bluffton, Indiana, on Sept. 30, 1972, Jan Patrick Schwieterman was an Eagle Scout before he moved to California soon after high school to become an actor, and he landed his first roles on episodes of ABC's McKenna and NBC's ER in 1994. After appearing on three installments of ABC's Forever, he landed on Good Burger. Schwieterman's résumé also included a stint as Lewis on four episodes of the first season (1998-99) of The WB series Felicity and work in the films Warlock III: The End of Innocence (1999), American Intellectuals (1999), Fallen Arches (2000) and, his final credit, Along the Way (2007). His family noted that he loved to travel and play Dungeons and Dragons. In addition to his brother, survivors include his parents, Clara and LeeRoy, and his sisters, Megan and Vanessa. Donations in his memory can be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The 10 Best Baseball Movies of All Time, Ranked 20 Times the Oscars Got It Wrong The Best Anti-Fascist Films of All Time
