Maya Rudolph Has Been Living in a Closet at 30 Rock for 17 Years Waiting for Her ‘SNL’ Return

For seventeen years, patrons of 30 Rock have overlooked an iconic Saturday Night Live relic hiding in plain sight: Maya Rudolph. The actress and comedian ended her stint on the sketch comedy series in 2007, going on to star in films like Bridesmaids and Wine Country. She’s made periodic appearances on the show since then but returns in an official capacity this weekend as host. But according to her latest promotional video, she’s been there all along.

“Oh, hello there. I wasn’t expecting visitors,” Rudolph said in greeting current cast members Andrew Dismukes and Chloe Troast in the promo trailer. The pair found her when they heard laughing coming from a custodial closet in the building. It’s hard to tell who was more shocked, but the actress did seem fairly taken aback by the sudden intrusion on her alone time.

When Dismukes and Troast inquire about how long she’s been there, Rudolph waits a beat before admitting: “I’ve been here since 2007.” Her final show as a cast member aired on Nov. 3, 2007. Since then, she has made sporadic cameos, mostly alongside other SNL veterans.

“I never left,” Rudolph admitted. “Why would I leave? I have everything I need here. My books, my porridge, and my dear friend Kenny.” Kenny Loggins hasn’t performed on Saturday Night Live since 1982 and producer Ken Aymong retired in 2021, so she couldn’t have been talking about either of them. She was actually referring to a mop that had been humanized with googly eyes.

Rudolph will be able to interact with real people on Saturday, May 11, when she hosts the upcoming episode with musical guest Vampire Weekend. At the end of the promo, she sends Dismukes and Troast away so she can get ready, saying: “Oh, then, would you mind closing the door? I’m going to need to freshen up.”