Here are 5 things to know about the Butler County native:
1. A theatre kid at Lakota East
Null graduated in 2008, where he was a star on the Lakota East stage, displaying his gift for humorous theatre in student productions at the local school.
The talent was there early, according to Lakota officials and his family.
Lakota East Theater director Rich Schmaltz described Null as a natural comedian who honed his craft through community theater after graduation.
“I am not at all surprised. Luke is living the dream he has had since he was a young actor,” Schmaltz said.
2. He’s not just a comedian
Null, 27, graduated from Ohio University, where he was a geographical information science major, according to his mother, Cindy Null.
“He has worked for marketing firms in Chicago,” she said.
Luke was also an Eagle Scout, who designed and built an outdoor education area still used at the Warren County school where his mother is a teacher.
3. ‘SNL’ job a longtime dream come true
“He has always wanted to be on ‘Saturday Night Live’,” Cindy Null, said.
“He started acting and being in plays in junior high … taught himself how to play the guitar and he actually spoke of it, saying he would love to be on ‘Saturday Night Live’,” Null said.
4. He’s the family jokester, of course
“He enjoys the limelight,” Cindy Null said. “He’s a ham and he holds court a lot of time during the (family) holidays with the cousins. He is very gregarious and he likes to put himself out there. I’m not surprised and I’m pleased for him.”
She’s jokingly modest about her own contributions to her son’s now meteoric career — “all I did was give birth.”
5. Getting the call from Lorne Michaels
Luke Null had tried out for “Saturday Night Live” during open auditions in Chicago last year and was among the 20 finalists.
This time around, the “Saturday Night Live” talent scouts and show creator Lorne Michaels picked him and two others.
“Mr. Michaels called him and said ‘would you like to be part of the cast?’ ” Cindy Null said.
“Saturday Night Live” premieres its new season tonight, Sept. 30, with Ryan Gosling and rapper Jay-Z lined up for the episode.
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