Melissa Villaseñor and Owen WilsonAlberto Rodriguez / YouTube @MasMejor / Bryan Bedder / Getty Images
Villaseñor, who has mimicked Wilson’s distinct voice and mannerisms on her YouTube channel and for comedic sketches with Más Mejor, said she was excited to bring that impersonation to the SNL stage. Wilson hosted the premiere of SNL’s 47th season in 2021. Villaseñor saw this as the perfect opportunity to perform her Owen Wilson impression alongside the actor himself.
On an episode of Dana Carvey and David Spade’s Fly on the Wall podcast, Villaseñor described the moment she asked Wilson if they could do the impersonation together. However, Wilson’s response took her by surprise. “He was like, ‘I feel like it’s done. I feel like people, it’s over.’ He didn’t want to do it,” Villaseñor recalled. She expressed her disappointment but acknowledged Wilson’s reluctance to embrace the idea.
Wilson’s reaction wasn’t entirely unexpected. The actor is known for his laid-back persona, and it’s been reported before that he isn’t particularly fond of others impersonating him. This aligns with what Villaseñor experienced. According to her, Wilson seemed to feel that the joke had run its course and didn’t want to revisit it.
The story led to an interesting moment of reflection during the podcast episode. Dana Carvey, who has also hosted SNL and famously impersonated many celebrities, shared his own recollection of a dinner with Wilson, SNL creator Lorne Michaels, and fellow comedian Kevin Nealon. Carvey remembered that the topic of impersonations came up during the meal, and Wilson didn’t seem thrilled about it. Carvey said, “He didn’t like when people did him, and so I said, ‘Okay, I won’t.’”
David Spade, who co-hosts the podcast with Carvey, added his own experience to the conversation. Spade recalled that he once had to impersonate Wilson during his own hosting stint on SNL. Although Spade admitted he doesn’t do a great Owen Wilson impression, the show’s producers assigned him the role anyway. “I don’t even do Owen that well,” Spade admitted. He mentioned that his version of Wilson relied more on a funny look than vocal accuracy. Despite the challenges, Spade emphasized his admiration for Wilson, stating, “I love Owen.”
The two comedians then shifted the conversation to Wilson’s brother, Luke Wilson, who is also a well-known actor. Spade pointed out that Luke’s voice sounds remarkably similar to Owen’s, though with a slightly different tone. “It’s almost just a different tone, but it’s that same cadence,” Spade observed. This comment highlighted how easily the Wilson brothers’ unique speech patterns lend themselves to comedic impressions.
Villaseñor has impersonated many celebrities throughout her career, including Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, and Kristen Wiig. However, her impression of Owen Wilson stood out for its accuracy and popularity. In one of her Más Mejor sketches titled “Daily Itineraries,” Villaseñor perfectly captured Wilson’s signature laid-back drawl as she portrayed him going through a day-to-day routine.
The story of Villaseñor’s attempt to impersonate Wilson on SNL sheds light on the delicate nature of celebrity impressions. While some stars take the imitation in stride, others, like Wilson, may feel that it’s best left in the past. Villaseñor respected his wishes, but it’s clear that she still finds humor in the situation. After all, her Owen Wilson impersonation remains one of her most memorable and beloved performances among fans.
This incident also highlights the unpredictability of live television, particularly on a show like Saturday Night Live. While the SNL cast and writers work hard to create memorable moments, guest hosts often have their own boundaries and preferences. In this case, Owen Wilson simply wasn’t interested in revisiting an impression that he felt had already been done to death.
Despite this small hiccup, Wilson’s 2021 appearance on SNL was well-received. He brought his signature charm to the sketches, and viewers enjoyed seeing him in a live comedy setting. Meanwhile, Villaseñor continued to make audiences laugh with her impressive range of impressions, solidifying her place as one of the standout cast members during her time on the show.
For Villaseñor, the story of Wilson turning down her idea serves as a humorous reminder that even the best-laid plans in comedy can sometimes fall flat. Still, her enthusiasm for performing and creating laughter remains undeterred. As for Wilson, he continues to be a beloved actor, with his unique voice and personality making him a frequent subject of impersonation, even if he prefers to keep those impressions in the past.
#OwenWilson #MelissaVillaseñor #SNL #CelebrityImpressions #FlyOnTheWallPodcast