Kenan Thompson, a name synonymous with laughter and a veteran of Saturday Night Live (SNL), has recently opened up about a personal battle: his experience with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In candid interviews, Thompson, the longest-standing cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” details the symptoms that finally led to his chronic health diagnosis. Sharing his journey, Thompson hopes to raise awareness and encourage others to seek help for this often-uncomfortable condition.
Understanding GERD
GERD occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the esophagus, irritating its lining. While occasional acid reflux is common, GERD is a chronic condition resulting from persistent, untreated acid reflux. According to the Mayo Clinic, this backflow can cause a range of bothersome symptoms.
The Impact of GERD on Performance
For Thompson, GERD presented challenges that directly impacted his ability to perform. As an active comedian known for his high-energy characters, diverse voices, and physical comedy, Thompson relies heavily on his vocal health. The intense pain from GERD held the potential to derail his performance. “When it’s at its worst it definitely can cause me to be hoarse a lot faster than I’d expect,” he says. Sleepless nights caused by acid reflux could lead to a fumble on stage. “It’s usually because I’ve had sleepless nights [due to acid reflux]…or overly stressing,” he says.
Thompson noted his symptoms began to impede his ability to use his voice while performing on “SNL.”“All of a sudden I was hoarse or I was raspy. That’s not good when you’re supposed to be speaking to the back of the house,” he said about having to regularly speak to a live audience. “I sing the warm-up before the show actually comes on, and that’s kind of my major gauge, whether or not I can talk normally afterwards. And that’s when I know if I’m in my better health zone or not,” he continued. “There were some cold opens where I was very raspy and hoarse and voice crackly because I had just finished singing and my throat hadn’t had a chance to calm down yet, but we had to go right into the show.”
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Thompson, 46, told Entertainment Weekly in an interview published April 4 that he was diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after about a decade of experiencing acid reflux. He experienced a range of symptoms, including:
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- Heartburn, which may be worse when lying down
- Food backwash
- Upper stomach or chest pain
- Trouble swallowing
- The feeling of a lump in the throat
- Burping up acid in his sleep
These symptoms not only disrupted his sleep but also affected his ability to use his voice, a crucial tool for his comedic performances. “I was burping up acid in my sleep and wasn’t able to rest well,” Thompson shared.
Finding Solutions: Medication and Lifestyle Changes
Thompson spent years trying various treatments for his GERD, but the discomfort persisted. Over-the-counter medications offered only temporary relief. “It would be like a quick fix, not necessarily a long fix. I just got tired of it,” he says. He knew he needed more than a quick fix to help alleviate his discomfort. “It had gotten to such a point where it actually required a prescription, kind of medicine. That’s when my doctor’s visit got serious,” he said. As for other treatments, “They weren’t complete fixes, and it was more like patches as opposed to an actual new tire,” he told First.
Eventually, Thompson found relief through prescription medication. “Thank god I was able to find an actual medicine that really works,” he says of Phathom Pharmaceuticals’ Voquezna, which he is partnering with for their GERD Is No Joke campaign to raise awareness. Thompson is now a spokesperson for Phathom Pharmaceuticals and appeared on TODAY to talk about finding a medication that's finally given him relief. "I was suffering from, you know, pretty intense like acid reflux and heartburn and stuff like that. I ended up being diagnosed with GERD," Thompson said on April 7. "I was given a prescription that worked for me, and, you know, (I'm) trying to spread the message, basically, because it is a very uncomfortable situation. I just want people to get the help that they need if they need it."
In addition to medication, Thompson embarked on a health journey, making adjustments to his diet and exercise routine. “I definitely have been on a healthier kick lately, which is always helpful. “I think the biggest surprise was that it actually worked once I took medicine, he added. “I thought it’d be funny if I were playing a chef, but I couldn’t eat any of the food,” Thompson said.
He identified specific triggers for his GERD symptoms, such as spicier marinara and soda. “I was a soda kid; I used to drink a lot of sodas,” he says. While he doesn't eliminate his favorite foods entirely, he practices moderation. “There’s balance in it all. I still eat pizza. I just don’t have the same kind of issues because I’m not overdoing it.”
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Thompson also incorporated regular exercise into his routine, hitting the gym four days a week and biking on the weekend. He says that he’s up to biking about 40 miles in one go. “I grew up riding my bike. So, it reminds me of being young.” “The lifestyle of it all definitely affects it,” he says of his GERD symptoms. “I’m almost a year into [my health journey] and it feels really good.” After an active evening performing on stage (and on your TV screen), he hits the pavement mere hours later with his bike to “cycle on Sundays.”
The Importance of Speaking Out
Thompson's biggest piece of advice throughout the whole campaign? Don’t suffer in silence. “I want to get the word out because it was like silent suffering,” he said. “I use my throat a lot, so when it’s sore, or something like that, or I haven’t been able to sleep because I’ve been up all night with discomfort, that definitely can affect my day,” he said. And humming the SNL theme song happens to be one of Thompson’s major gauges for how he’s feeling.
Thompson noted his symptoms began to impede his ability to use his voice while performing on “SNL.”“All of a sudden I was hoarse or I was raspy. That’s not good when you’re supposed to be speaking to the back of the house,” he said about having to regularly speak to a live audience. “I sing the warm-up before the show actually comes on, and that’s kind of my major gauge, whether or not I can talk normally afterwards. And that’s when I know if I’m in my better health zone or not,” he continued. “There were some cold opens where I was very raspy and hoarse and voice crackly because I had just finished singing and my throat hadn’t had a chance to calm down yet, but we had to go right into the show.”
A Holistic Approach to Well-being
Overall, the star has been focusing on ways to feel his best. “I feel more energized and thankful to have gotten to the other side of my acid reflux journey. With the longest tenure in Saturday Night Live history and a comedy career spanning over three decades, Kenan Thompson has solidified his status as a household name. Thompson is not only managing his GERD through medication and diet but also prioritizing his overall well-being through exercise and stress management.
Looking Ahead: SNL and Beyond
It’s hard to think of SNL and not simultaneously think of Thompson. “It’s truly a blessing. It’s life-changing,” Thompson reflected. He’s had a lot of favorite memories during his career, but to him, the specials stand out. “The 40th and 50th were both insane and incredible things to witness,” the comedian shared. “I love having that front-row seat to those kinds of things, those moments that are just legendary, whether people realize it or not.
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During his interview with Entertainment Weekly, Thompson, who has been on “SNL” for 22 seasons, answered the question that's been on fans' minds since he broke the record for the longest-tenured cast member: Has he considered leaving the show? “It would be cool if I never left the show," Thompson said. "That’d be crazy.” The comedian joined “SNL” in 2003 at 25 and currently holds the record for longest-standing cast member, surpassing Darrell Hammond’s previously held record of 14 seasons. Along with performing as part of the “SNL” 50th anniversary special this year, the show has catapulted Thompson into stardom. He’s been nominated six times for Emmy Awards for his work on the show. Thompson has also appeared in several films and television shows, including starring in “Kenan,” his own sitcom on NBC. “I guess the only other milestone would be just to be the forever cast member. Just never leave the show,” he said. “Thirty (seasons) is like, okay, that’s just another number kind of thing. Twenty was just such a thing that nobody had ever done. People had gotten into their teens before, but nobody had gotten all the way up to 20. And then I was close to doing it." He continued, “Once I started getting into 17, I was like, ‘Well, if I can, I would love to stick around till 20.’ And now here we are at 22, so I don’t know.” “SNL” fans have long speculated on whether the show’s creator, Lorne Michaels, has plans to soon retire. When asked, Thompson provided his own intel - or lack thereof. “I have no idea,” Thompson said of Michael’s potential retirement. “I feel like we’ll both just ride until the wheels fall off.”