Jimmy Fallon Apologizes For 2000 ‘SNL’ Blackface Video Impersonating Chris Rock

Jimmy Fallon took to Twitter to apologize for an old video that resurfaced earlier this week that showed Fallon in blackface impersonating Chris Rock on Saturday Night Live. 

The skit showed Fallon as Rock on a talk show hosted by Regis Philbin, who was played by Darrell Hammond. The video is not currently posted on NBC or Saturday Night Live’s website.

In his apology he said, “In 2000, while on SNL, I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface.  There is no excuse for this. 

I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable.”

In 2000, while on SNL, I made a terrible decision to do an impersonation of Chris Rock while in blackface. There is no excuse for this.

I am very sorry for making this unquestionably offensive decision and thank all of you for holding me accountable.

— jimmy fallon (@jimmyfallon) May 26, 2020

The hashtag “#JimmyFallonIsOverParty” was trending and there was a call for people to stop watching him on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

Twitter user @ThirteenCross replied to Fallon’s apology by saying, “I’m gonna say this, it wasn’t cool. Even back then it wasn’t cool. What is important is growth. Owning up to the mistakes, learning from them, and not just moving on but using it as a chance to teach others. We love you, but you’re right. There is no excuse.”

I’m gonna say this, it wasn’t cool. Even back then it wasn’t cool. What is important is growth. Owning up to the mistakes, learning from them, and not just moving on but using it as a chance to teach others. We love you, but you’re right. There is no excuse.

— Thirteen Cross (@ThirteenCross) May 26, 2020

User @aotdts said, “Jimmy Fallon is finally being cancelled! That’s what happens when your the unfunniest person on the planet! #JimmyFallonIsOverParty”

Jimmy Fallon is finally being cancelled! That’s what happens when your the unfunniest person on the planet! #JimmyFallonIsOverParty pic.twitter.com/VFmoitwDZA

— 𝗯𝘁 (@aotdts) May 26, 2020

However, some stuck up for Fallon. @mnl1221 commented on the issue, “I’m African-American. Jimmy Fallon isn’t doing ‘blackface’; he’s doing Chris Rock.  

I think it’s time to end the idea that no White person can dress up as a Black person ever.  Fallon is doing a spot-on impression of a SPECIFIC PERSON, not spoofing an entire race.”

I’m African-American. Jimmy Fallon isn’t doing “blackface”; he’s doing Chris Rock.

I think it’s time to end the idea that no White person can dress up as a Black person ever. Fallon is doing a spot-on impression of a SPECIFIC PERSON, not spoofing an entire race.

— Melanie Lee (@mnl1221) May 26, 2020

Actor Marlon Wayans added, “This #jimmyfallonisoverparty is dumb as hell. @jimmyfallon is truly one of the nicest guys I’ve known in our industry. Y’all stop digging up old shit. Go find a new tree to piss on. This one is clean”

This #jimmyfallonisoverparty is dumb as hell. @jimmyfallon is truly one of the nicest guys I’ve known in our industry. Y’all stop digging up old shit. Go find a new tree to piss on. This one is clean

— marlon wayans (@MarlonWayans) May 26, 2020

Fallon was a member of the cast for Saturday Night Live from 1998 to 2004 and Rock appeared on the show from 1990 to 1993.

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