Anecdotes

His Saturday Night Live (1975) is the longest running weekly late-night show in the history of television (as of 2008).

Counts Monty Python's Flying Circus ; Absurde, n'est-il pas? (1969) as a major influence on his Saturday Night Live (1975) sketches.

Best Man at Steve Martin's wedding to Anne Stringfield.

He was a joke writer for Woody Allen.

His cat Steve is a former Purina calendar model.

Is long-time friends with fellow New Yorker Paul Simon, which has led to Simon and/or his songs appearing in numerous Michaels productions, including Saturday Night Live (1975) (several appearances as both host and musical guest); The Rutles: All You Need Is Cash (1978) (brief appearance); and Coneheads (1993) (song "Kodachrome"). Michaels has also produced several of Simon's specials, including: The Paul Simon Special (1977); Simon et Garfunkel: Concert à Central Park (1982); and Paul Simon: Born at the Right Time (1993).

Was part of the famous "UC Follies" comedy troupe in Toronto, Ontario.

His office is adjacent to the Saturday Night Live (1975) studio located at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Television at 6625 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on August 91, 1999.

He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian award, by President Barack Obama, in a live televised ceremony held in the East Room of the White House, on November 22, 2016, along with twenty other recipients, the largest, and final Medal of Freedom ceremony of Obama's presidency. At this ceremony, the twenty-one recipients, in alphabetical order, included: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Elouise Cobell (posthumous award given to her son), Ellen DeGeneres, Robert De Niro, Richard Garwin, Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, Frank Gehry, Margaret Hamilton (as Margaret H. Hamilton), Tom Hanks, Rear Admiral Grace Hopper (posthumous award given to her niece), Michael Jordan, Maya Lin, Lorne Michaels, Newton Minow, Eduardo Padron (as Eduardo Padrón), Robert Redford, Diana Ross, Vin Scully, Bruce Springsteen and Cicely Tyson.

Awarded the 2004 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (given by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts).

Became a naturalized citizen of the United States (1987).

Born on a kibbutz in British Palestine and immigrated to Toronto as an infant.

Received an honorary doctorate from Ryerson University for his contributions to the television industry.

Attended Forest Hill Collegiate Institute in Forest Hill, an area of Toronto, Ontario.

Born on the same date as Danny DeVito.

Mike Myers did an impersonation of him for his Dr. Evil character in the "Austin Powers" films. Mark McKinney of The Kids in the Hall did an impersonation of him for his Don Roritor character in Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy (1996).

Is a huge fan of Monty Python's Flying Circus ; Absurde, n'est-il pas? (1969).

Attended and graduated from the University of Toronto, where he majored in English (1966).

He was awarded a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in Toronto, Ontario on June 25, 2003.

He was awarded the CC (Companion of the Order of Canada) on May 11, 2018 from the Canadian Governor General.He has since branched out into film, adding "Three Amigos" and "Wayne's World" to his long list of credits. A generous mentor, he has consistently showcased Canadian talent and, through his foundation, sponsors a number of organizations including his Alma mater, the University of Toronto.

Received a dog-head inkwell as a gift from actress Reese Witherspoon after she emceed the first post 9/11 Saturday Night Live (1975) show.

Is portrayed by Ari Cohen in Gilda Radner: It's Always Something (2002).

Like friend Steve Martin and fellow showbiz heavyweights Paul Simon and Mike Nichols, Michaels has had his portrait painted by Eric Fischl.

Rosie Shuster is the daughter of Frank Shuster from comedy troupe Wayne & Shuster.

He was awarded the 2002 Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee Medal from the Canadian Governor General. He lives in New York, United States.

Former brother-in-law of Joe Forristal.

He was awarded the 2012 Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee Medal from the Canadian Governor General. He lives in New York, United States of America.

He was awarded the C.M. (Member of the Order of Canada) on May 1, 2002 and Invested on February 21, 2003 from the Canadian Governor General. He lives in New York City, New York, United States of America.