For Glen Powell, hosting 'Saturday Night Live' is 'the peak of the mountain'
- - For Glen Powell, hosting 'Saturday Night Live' is 'the peak of the mountain'
Brian Truitt, USA TODAYNovember 14, 2025 at 5:30 PM
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Glen Powell has had a taste of “Saturday Night Live” before. Now, he’s getting the full family dinner.
The same weekend his latest movie “The Running Man” hits theaters, Powell hosts “SNL” for the first time Nov. 15. A longtime fan of the show, it’s the kind of late-night wish Powell has been harboring since he was a kid.
“I’ve been wanting to do this like my whole life,” Powell tells USA TODAY. “There's no stage I've dreamed about being on more than 30 Rock.
“It's really an iconic rite of passage that I just can't wait for.”
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Glen Powell has a laugh doing promos for his hosting gig on "Saturday Night Live."
He admits there are nerves involved: “It’s ‘SNL,’ it's the craziest live format you can possibly imagine.” But that said, “pressure's a privilege. It is truly the peak of the mountain for me.”
At least Powell has a little experience on the “SNL” stage. In a March 2024 episode hosted by his “Anyone But You” costar Sydney Sweeney, Powell appeared in her monologue for a gag riffing on the dating rumors between them. He also had a quick walk-on cameo for one of Sweeney’s sketches.
His first impression of the show? “You realize the last-minute nature of it,” Powell says. “For instance, I knew I was going to do a little bit in her monologue. What I wasn't expecting is probably 10 minutes before they shot (that) sketch, they wanted me to do it. So they said, ‘Hey, do you want to be in this last sketch?’ I was like, ‘Wait, what am I doing?’ There was zero prep. I went out there, I read the cue cards. I just braved through it, but it was fun.
“In an era where everything is edited and curated, ‘SNL’ is one of the last great performance things where they build this (show) every week and you see like all the costumes and the makeup and people creating these characters out of nothing and the rehearsal that goes into it, and it's all done in one week.”
“SNL” is one of many “amazing, pinch-me moments” he’s been enjoying recently. His star ascended rapidly the past few years with movies like “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Hit Man” and “Twisters.” He’s had quite a 2025, too, starring in and producing the Hulu football comedy “Chad Powers” and going all over the world with “Running Man.”
Powell sees a lot of actors separate their professional and personal lives, but what he’s focused on this year is figuring out how to bring friends and family along for the ride.
"The Running Man" on Nov. 9, 2025. Swipe to see the film's actors posing for photos, starting with leading man Glen Powell.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Stars took a lap on the red carpet for the New York premiere of "The Running Man" on Nov. 9, 2025. Swipe to see the film's actors posing for photos, starting with leading man Glen Powell.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uybzMhw3Y5dXao.BfPE2wA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/136468ecfcba5f493c25e675a266a634 class=caas-img data-headline="Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style" data-caption="
Stars took a lap on the red carpet for the New York premiere of "The Running Man" on Nov. 9, 2025. Swipe to see the film's actors posing for photos, starting with leading man Glen Powell.
">Stars took a lap on the red carpet for the New York premiere of "The Running Man" on Nov. 9, 2025. Swipe to see the film's actors posing for photos, starting with leading man Glen Powell.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/uybzMhw3Y5dXao.BfPE2wA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/136468ecfcba5f493c25e675a266a634 class=caas-img>Emilia Jones hit her stride in a sheer outfit.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gSJBQJqN4Q3bcOAXSIVA2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8e3e4163abb8ba328daac829ab514ee5 class=caas-img data-headline="Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style" data-caption="
Emilia Jones hit her stride in a sheer outfit.
">Emilia Jones hit her stride in a sheer outfit.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/gSJBQJqN4Q3bcOAXSIVA2g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/8e3e4163abb8ba328daac829ab514ee5 class=caas-img>Director Edgar Wright joined stars Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Lee Pace and Glen Powell for a group shot.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/T38GbKgXXP1QJSjXlsPnEw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4a0de8157eb9cbf00b4e0cbbda5467ee class=caas-img data-headline="Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style" data-caption="
Director Edgar Wright joined stars Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Lee Pace and Glen Powell for a group shot.
">Director Edgar Wright joined stars Josh Brolin, Colman Domingo, Lee Pace and Glen Powell for a group shot.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/T38GbKgXXP1QJSjXlsPnEw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/4a0de8157eb9cbf00b4e0cbbda5467ee class=caas-img>Pace went full denim for the premiere.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1uusgGba8Tcyk_5VCt9NiA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97c6b4ba9086d720c9344839ac0d3359 class=caas-img data-headline="Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style" data-caption="
Pace went full denim for the premiere.
">Pace went full denim for the premiere.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/1uusgGba8Tcyk_5VCt9NiA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODY0/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/97c6b4ba9086d720c9344839ac0d3359 class=caas-img>Jayme Lawson
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xBRDnPow_rurH1KURVSB1w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c00c348ad170913a9dd3ecbd5744bc8e class=caas-img data-headline="Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style" data-caption="
Jayme Lawson
">Jayme Lawson
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/xBRDnPow_rurH1KURVSB1w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/c00c348ad170913a9dd3ecbd5744bc8e class=caas-img>Domingo
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/j2u20gJEXGX7_dxQkS4r8A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7eea2224588a61c38fe10fe8bb46bc4d class=caas-img data-headline="Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style" data-caption="
Domingo
">Domingo
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/j2u20gJEXGX7_dxQkS4r8A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/7eea2224588a61c38fe10fe8bb46bc4d class=caas-img>Katy O'Brian and Martin Herlihy look ready for a jog.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/tfcSp8UzVMRMXT2Rs.kc3Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/27849a3cc45c5708cc04cdd3d92ee485 class=caas-img data-headline="Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style" data-caption="
Katy O'Brian and Martin Herlihy look ready for a jog.
">Katy O'Brian and Martin Herlihy look ready for a jog.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/tfcSp8UzVMRMXT2Rs.kc3Q--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/27849a3cc45c5708cc04cdd3d92ee485 class=caas-img>Powell and Domingo share a laugh.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/M3JJc1jkNzdYewGOJ_bBHQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/55564768294c10349620d45806c75927 class=caas-img data-headline="Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style" data-caption="
Powell and Domingo share a laugh.
">Powell and Domingo share a laugh.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/M3JJc1jkNzdYewGOJ_bBHQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/55564768294c10349620d45806c75927 class=caas-img>Brolin and his daughter Eden Brolin.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OebH8Mpa8Pr3xaANVBZa6A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6ac5ae8023db16ae7a886064a8972d81 class=caas-img data-headline="Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style" data-caption="
Brolin and his daughter Eden Brolin.
">Brolin and his daughter Eden Brolin.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OebH8Mpa8Pr3xaANVBZa6A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/6ac5ae8023db16ae7a886064a8972d81 class=caas-img>David Zayas and wife Liza Colon-Zayas.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eC6jQ_auTJXK3VOHCYuB.g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/342803b234fefde4a4dd94e7491ba77e class=caas-img data-headline="Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style" data-caption="
David Zayas and wife Liza Colon-Zayas.
">David Zayas and wife Liza Colon-Zayas.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/eC6jQ_auTJXK3VOHCYuB.g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD04Mjg-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/342803b234fefde4a4dd94e7491ba77e class=caas-img>Darren Criss poses like he's on the run.
" data-src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IzeG.42WIv9OcJ43qDnpFA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/bdd15a519400f7c593c42934ccf3183c class=caas-img data-headline="Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style" data-caption="
Darren Criss poses like he's on the run.
">Darren Criss poses like he's on the run.
" src=https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/IzeG.42WIv9OcJ43qDnpFA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTEyNDI7aD0xODYz/https://media.zenfs.com/en/usa_today_slideshows_242/bdd15a519400f7c593c42934ccf3183c class=caas-img>
1 / 11Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, more of the 'The Running Man' cast hit premiere carpet in style
Stars took a lap on the red carpet for the New York premiere of "The Running Man" on Nov. 9, 2025. Swipe to see the film's actors posing for photos, starting with leading man Glen Powell.
“You'll never see me happier than when I'm on a set. (But) when I have time off on the weekends, we'll go disappear somewhere and come back,” Powell says. “So I'm really able to fill my life up with great experiences that are not just work-related and put my full heart into everything I do.
“I'm really happy, I'm really fulfilled. I get to bring my buddies to NASCAR and F1 and the World Series. It's like, what could be better?”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'SNL' host Glen Powell lives for show's 'last-minute nature'
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
