Let’s talk about Julia Louis-Dreyfus, one of the most iconic actresses in Hollywood today. You might think landing a gig on a show like Saturday Night Live would be the highlight of anyone's career, but for Julia, it wasn’t all sunshine and roses. In a candid conversation with Net-a-Porter, she revealed just how tough her time on the show really was.
A Tough Start in Comedy
“It was not a happy experience. It was so misogynistic and not female-friendly whatsoever,” Julia, now 58, shared. “But I was also 21 and unprepared to be there as a performer. A mash-up of those two very negative things made it a hard time, but I learned a lot.”
Breaking Barriers at 21
Back in 1982, Julia joined the Saturday Night Live cast, making history as the youngest woman to ever step onto the stage. She spent three seasons (1982-1985) alongside some of the biggest names in comedy, including Eddie Murphy, Jim Belushi, Billy Crystal, and Martin Short. But despite being surrounded by legends, Julia faced challenges that tested her resilience.
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Love Grows from Comedy
Even in the midst of the challenges, Julia found a silver lining during her time on SNL. She met her future husband, Brad Hall, and they tied the knot in 1987. After her time on the show, Julia went on to become a household name, starring as Elaine on Seinfeld (1989-1998) and as Christine on The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006-2010).
And let’s not forget her return to SNL. In 2006, Julia hosted an episode, becoming the first former cast member to do so. She returned again in 2007 and 2016, proving that while her initial experience was tough, she still had love for the show that launched her career.
Defining Strong Female Characters
These days, Julia is shining as Selina Meyer on Veep, which is wrapping up its final season. The show follows Selina, a vice president who ascended to the presidency but later lost her position. Now, she’s back in the game, fighting to reclaim the top job. Through this role, Julia has explored what it means to be a strong female character.
“My agenda was only ever to make an exceptionally funny show, but wouldn’t it be nice if it further opened up the conversation about powerful women?” Julia questioned. “Why is a powerful woman a complicated thing? Why is asserting ourselves so hard? I feel it myself; any time I assert myself in a strong way, or I feel highly opinionated about something in a work environment, there is a voice in my head that is questioning it, wondering if I should rein myself in.”
Though SNL was a low point, Julia’s career has soared to incredible heights. Her journey is a testament to resilience, talent, and the power of breaking barriers.
