With his everyman looks and highly professional announcer’s voice, comedic performer Chris Parnell was often cast as a utility player for NBC’s venerable “Saturday Night Live” – until he and fellow cast member Andy Samberg took the world by storm with their hilarious rap parody, “Lazy Sunday.” After this digital short aired in 2005, SNL switchboards were inundated with inquiries about both the rap and the white boy “rappers” who had taught unsuspecting viewers that nothing was more “crazy delicious” than Red Vines and Mr. Pibb soda.Born Feb. 5, 1967 and raised in Memphis, TN, Parnell’s father
Performed with the Berkshire Theatre in Stockbridge MA, and the Alley Theatre in Houston, TX
1991
Moved back home and taught acting, film and video at his own Germantown High School
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Moved out to L.A. and began taking classes at The Groundlings; where he was discovered by SNL scouts
1996
Had a small role as a Toy Store Sales Clerk in the Arnold Schwarzenegger comedy "Jingle All the Way"
1998
Became a featured player on NBC's "Saturday Night Live"; was released from his contract in 2001, but returned the following year; let go in 2006, due to budgetary cuts
