Trivia

Has impersonated Saturday Night Live (1975) announcer Don Pardo on at least one occasion when Pardo was too ill to announce the opening credits.

An expert at stage-fighting, so he has frequently been beaten up and killed in Saturday Night Live (1975) sketches. He has been beaten up by Dwayne Johnson, Paul Levesque, Mick Foley, Mick Foley, and Jackie Chan. He has been killed by Christopher Walken, Robert De Niro, and Will Ferrell, among others.

His dad, Jack Parnell, who passed away in April of 2023, was in the voice-over industry for 40+ years, and worked as the "image voice" for local Memphis businesses (Kroger, Federal Express) and a local TV station, and voiced countless TV/radio commercials and instructional video presentations throughout the US and internationally.

Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan tried to get him his job back shortly after he had been fired, but to no avail. It would later take Ferrell being off filming Old School (2003) and Darrell Hammond in rehab to get Lorne Michaels to change his mind.

Auditioned for every play in high school and was voted most talented in his class.

Contrary to popular belief, he did not swallow the food Will Ferrell "fed" him during the infamous Saturday Night Live (1975) sketch "The Regurgitating Family" (with host Julianna Margulies). The camera would quickly cut to someone else after the food entered his mouth and he spit it out into a towel on his lap.

As of April 2002, has yet to break character on Saturday Night Live (1975).

His firing/rehiring has been a frequent running gag on Saturday Night Live (1975). In one sketch, it was said that "Will Ferrell had him fired so he could get his brother Patty Ferrell (Patrick Farrell) on the show!" In a song that Chris himself sang, he said, "Lorne liked me so much that he hired me twice!".

The character of Brick Tamland, the mentally retarded weather man, in 'Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy' (2004) was written by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay with Parnell in mind. Steve Carell ultimately took the role, so they gave Parnell the part of the overly-sensitive stage producer Garth Holliday instead.

Is such a dedicated alumnus of Germantown High School that he recently chaperoned a theater trip to London.

He, along with fellow Saturday Night Live (1975) cast member Andy Samberg, put the show back on the map with their Lazy Sunday Chronicles of Narnia rap.

Said "Live From New York, It's Saturday Night" for the first time on only his sixth episode of Saturday Night Live (1975).

Worked at FAO Schwarz in the Beverly Center in Los Angeles, California while taking classes at The Groundlings, eventually moving up to the Sunday Company and later the Main Company.

Has performed hardcore raps about Saturday Night Live (1975) hosts Britney Spears, Kirsten Dunst, Jennifer Garner and Demi Moore/Ashton Kutcher. He writes them with the assistance of various Saturday Night Live (1975) writers and musical composers.

Auditioned with Saturday Night Live (1975) co-star Ana Gasteyer as a duo for the Weekend Update chair in 2000 when Colin Quinn left the show. They lost out to Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey.

Took over the impression of George W. Bush on Saturday Night Live (1975) after Will Ferrell left the show. He beat out fellow cast members Darrell Hammond, Jeff Richards, and Chris Kattan for the role.

Became friends with Fred Willard after working with him on Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004).

While in high school, he played Judah in a production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." He also directed live televised coverage of Germantown High School football games and was an anchor on the high school news show, "Germantown News and Views".

His favorite film is Chariots of Fire (1981) favorite television show Twin Peaks (1990) and favorite book "The Selected Poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke.".

Has gone on record that Julianna Margulies and Gwyneth Paltrow are two of his favorite hosts to work with on Saturday Night Live (1975). Ironically enough, he missed working with Paltrow for a second time since she returned to host the show during the twelve episode period when he was fired.

Graduate of Germantown High School, Germantown, Tennessee. Performed in shows at the school's Poplar Pike Playhouse.

Decided to pursue a career in comedy after performing in the play "Greater Tuna" while in high school. He and his friend Dan McLeary each played ten different comedic characters.

The first Saturday Night Live (1975) sketch that he wrote that made it on the air was a commercial parody of the musical "Cats.".

His first appearance on Saturday Night Live (1975) was playing Kenneth Starr.

On some occasions, he will wind up doing more voice-overs for a Saturday Night Live (1975) episode than actual on-camera appearances.

Began playing George W. Bush on Saturday Night Live (1975) on October 12, 2002.

His first-ever talk show appearance was on Phil Donahue's MSNBC show on October 17, 2002. He appeared with his Saturday Night Live (1975) co- star Darrell Hammond.

Donated money to Howard Dean's presidential campaign. He then switched to Senator John Kerry when Kerry became the front-runner.

Frequently played Will Ferrell's brother in various Saturday Night Live (1975) sketches due to their facial resemblance.

Returned to Saturday Night Live (1975) on March 2, 2002, for the Jonny Moseley/Outkast episode.

His first solo recurring character on Saturday Night Live (1975) was Merv the Perv, who debuted in 2002. However, it took over a year for Merv the Perv to make a return appearance.

He winded up returning to Saturday Night Live (1975) with no fanfare, as a mention of his return was cut from Saturday Night Live (1975) after dress rehearsal.

Was roommates with actress Nadia Dajani during his early years on Saturday Night Live.

Auditioned for the lead role for the NBC sitcom Working (1997) but lost out to Fred Savage. However, the casting director remembered him and cast him a few years later in an online comedic short-film called Farm Sluts (2003).

Chris Parnell is back on SNL (2001)

Played Senator Joe Lieberman during the infamous hot tub scene with Al Gore during Gore's Saturday Night Live (1975) hosting gig.

Sat next to Conan O'Brien at the NBC 75th Anniversary Special (2002).