He first gained widespread attention during his tenure as a cast member on the NBCsketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, where he anchored the show's news parody segment Weekend Update. After leaving SNL, he acted in several of the Happy Madison films, played Doug Wilson on the Showtime series Weeds, and provided the voice of the title character, Glenn Martin, on Glenn Martin, DDS.
Nealon played guitar in bands during high school and gravitated to comedy in college.[8] In 1977, he moved to San Diego and then to Los Angeles, where he learned his craft at the Improv while tending bar there for a living.[8][6] He had been doing stand-up for six years when he made his network television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1984.[11] He later became a regular there and on Late Night with David Letterman.[6] He appeared on stage, alongside Jan Hooks, both relatively unknown at the time, celebrating Tim Holleran's big $90,000 cash win on Sale of the Century in 1985 (Holleran would win over $166,000 in cash and prizes). Holleran was a fellow comedian and a good friend of both Nealon and Hooks.
In 1986, Saturday Night Live recruited his friend Dana Carvey, and Carvey, in turn, recommended Nealon. Both joined the cast that year, and Nealon became a full-time performer in the 1987–1988 season,[8] and remained for nine seasons. Nealon's SNL characters include Mr. Subliminal (which also became known as the "Subliminal Editorial" when Nealon was promoted to Weekend Update anchorman), Frank Gannon, P.I.P.I. (for Politically Incorrect Private Investigator), Bob Waltman (a male Barbara Walters), and Franz (of Hans and Franz) along with Carvey.[6][8] He also parodied sportscaster Brent Musburger.[12] From 1991 to 1994, Nealon anchored Weekend Update then stayed on SNL for one more season. By the time he departed in 1995, he had held the record for longest-tenured cast member at nine seasons, which has since been surpassed by Tim Meadows, Darrell Hammond, and Kenan Thompson.
In the mid-1990s, Nealon played himself in three episodes of The Larry Sanders Show. The most popular episode was titled "The New Writer" when he starts hanging around the office so much that Hank (played by actor Jeffrey Tambor) is worried Nealon is trying to steal his job.[22]Garry Shandling and Nealon had a close relationship.[23] In 1994, Nealon hosted the 13-part series Amazing America on the Discovery Channel.[24]
Nealon had a recurring television role on the 2002–06 CBS comedy Still Standing playing Ted Halverson, the Millers' competitive and religious neighbor. He also appeared as a patient in a mental institution on the first season of Monk. Nealon played Dr. Mark Crest in "Deja Vu", an episode of The Outer Limits television show. It first aired on July 9, 1999, during the fifth season. From 2005 to 2012, Nealon had an ongoing supporting role as Doug Wilson on the show Weeds on Showtime.[14] In 2009–2011 he voiced the title character in Nick at Nite's animated series Glenn Martin, DDS.[25]
In 2008, he published a book chronicling his experiences during his wife's pregnancy, Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?[31]
Starting in 2015, Nealon portrayed Captain Telstar in commercials for Charter Spectrum.[32] From 2016 to 2020, he was a regular on the TV sitcomMan with a Plan.[11][33]
Since 2017 he has also hosted a YouTubetalk show called Hiking with Kevin where he hikes a trail with various celebrity guests;[11][34] the idea came about when during a hike with Matthew Modine the two of them ran out of breath, and Nealon thought it'd be funny to record their inability to talk.[35] As of 2022, the show is on its fourth season with over 100 episodes.[36] Nealon produces and edits the entire show by himself, recording simply using a selfie stick and a camera drone.[37]
Nealon was dating Jan Hooks when they were both hired by Saturday Night Live.[6][8] In 1989 he married Linda Dupree, a model and stuntwoman;[6] they divorced in 2002.[38] During this time, Nealon, who has been a vegetarian since 1989,[39] became active in the animal rights movement; he has supported PETA,[40] the Amanda Foundation, Farm Sanctuary,[8][41] the Washington Wildlife Alliance, The Ark Trust's Genesis Awards, and also Meat Out.
On February 22, 2006, Nealon contributed an opinion article to The New York Times about having his phone tapped and his police records searched by Hollywood private investigatorAnthony Pellicano,[47] who was later convicted of crimes including racketeering and illegal wiretapping. It was also revealed in a separate court case later the same month that investigators working for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus may also have targeted Nealon for wiretapping in connection with his work for PETA.[40] Nealon holds dual Irish and American citizenship.[48]
Nealon is a fixture on the European melodic rock scene both as a fan, and as a benefactor; in 2019 he used his fame to organize a benefit for close friend and ailing rocker Tony Mills. All proceeds from the festival went towards Mills' medical expenses.[49]
On May 15, 2022, Nealon was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, by his alma mater, Sacred Heart University. Nealon also served as the convocation speaker for the graduating class of 2022.[50]
^Nealon, Kevin (February 22, 2006). "Don't Stop Bugging Me". The New York Times (opinion). Archived from the original on November 23, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2008.
