Tom Holland may be one of Hollywood’s most charismatic leading men, but there’s one career milestone he’s still hesitant to check off his list: hosting Saturday Night Live.
During a recent appearance on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, the Spider-Man: Brand New Day star opened up about why he has repeatedly turned down opportunities to host NBC’s legendary sketch comedy series despite being invited multiple times.
The answer has nothing to do with nerves about performing comedy or stepping outside his comfort zone. Instead, Holland says his dyslexia has made the prospect of hosting the fast-paced live show feel particularly daunting.
“I’m heavily dyslexic, which is one of the reasons why—and I’d love to talk to you today about it, actually—is why I’ve never done SNL,” Tom explained. “I’m just so petrified at the concept of, like, trying to read something and they change.”
For many actors, the challenge of SNL comes from the demanding schedule. Hosts spend the week rehearsing sketches, rewriting material, and preparing for a live broadcast that leaves little room for mistakes. But for Holland, the show’s heavy reliance on cue cards creates an entirely different obstacle.
Amy Poehler pointed out that numerous performers with dyslexia have likely hosted throughout the show’s 51-season history. Holland acknowledged that everyone’s experience is different.
“It’s just that, for me, I can read fine. But when I have to read out loud, it just becomes, a kind of… it’s like a mental block, and I can freeze.”
The actor went on to explain that reading scripts aloud has long been one of the most difficult parts of his job, despite years of experience in film, television, and theater.
“So, for me, my worst day at work is the read-through,” he continued. “At the read-through, I will really try and highlight everything and learn my lines ahead of time, so that I’m more kind of skimming it than I am reading.”
It’s a surprisingly candid admission from an actor who has spent much of the past decade carrying billion-dollar franchises and leading major studio productions. While audiences see a confident performer on screen, Holland’s comments offer a reminder that even the most successful stars often navigate challenges that remain largely invisible to the public.
The actor stressed that his hesitation has never been about a lack of enthusiasm for the show itself.
“I’ve been really lucky that they’ve asked me a few times to do it, and the truth is that I’m actually just really scared at the prospect—I love the show, and I love the idea of having fun and making a fool of yourself in such a fun, creative way. It’s just that thing of the cue cards.”
Poehler, naturally, couldn’t resist offering some playful encouragement.
“You have to remember, there have been people that have hosted who have been fully on drugs, so I think you can do it.”
For now, SNL remains one opportunity Holland hasn’t embraced. But his comments also suggest the door isn’t completely closed. His admiration for the institution is clear, and many fans are already hoping Poehler’s words of encouragement eventually convince him to take the plunge.
If that day ever comes, it might become one of the most anticipated hosting debuts in recent memory.
