Bill Hader, known for his passion for classic cinema and film trivia, found himself starstruck during a meeting with renowned filmmaker Martin Scorsese at Saturday Night Live. The incident took place when Scorsese appeared on the show to support the film The Dictator in 2012, marking a rare moment where the celebrated director visited the SNL set for a cameo. This encounter unfolded in the 30 Rock building, within the famed Martin Scorsese SNL dressing room, which triggered Hader’s eager, if slightly awkward, attempt to bond over their mutual love of film.
The Backstory: Scorsese’s History with Saturday Night Live
Although Martin Scorsese has never hosted SNL, his connection with the program extends back decades. Lorne Michaels, the show’s creator, shared in his book that their friendship began in the 1970s at a Bob Dylan concert afterparty in Italy. This meeting, however, was marked by an unfortunate incident involving a dealer associated with Scorsese, which led to Scorsese’s hospitalization soon after due to addiction. Later, Michaels rented office space to the director in his Broadway Video building, further cementing their association. Scorsese and Robert De Niro also appeared together in SNL skits during Joe Pesci’s hosting episode in 1997, underscoring the director’s ongoing, though infrequent, involvement with the show.
Bill Hader’s Awkward Encounter with the Director
Hader recalls that when he learned Scorsese was on the SNL premises, he was immediately overwhelmed with excitement. On the A24 Podcast with Ari Aster, Hader described walking into Scorsese’s dressing room uninvited, launching into a rapid-fire discussion about films, beginning with,
“I’m going to go see a Shirley Clark movie tomorrow.”
His movie chatter continued in a blur that he later remembered as indecipherable babble. Despite Scorsese’s polite demeanor, Hader’s eagerness quickly created an uncomfortable situation.
He explained,
“I just wanted to rap with him so badly about movies,”
and observed that Scorsese was glad to hear from him, saying,
“Good! Oh yeah, you’re great. Yeah, you’re great.”
However, the conversation was cut short when a producer intervened, pulling Hader out of the dressing room and reminding him to leave.
“The producer pulled my shirt, like, ‘Bill, get out of his dressing room, please,’”
Hader recounted, his embarrassment reminiscent of a skit from the Chris Farley Show. The humor and unease of the moment lingered with him for weeks as he questioned his own behavior:
“That’s one of those things like for two weeks, I’m like, ‘What the fuck was wrong with me? Why did I do that?’”
Shared Feelings of Fan Anxiety from Director Ari Aster
Ari Aster, a fellow filmmaker and confirmed Scorsese admirer, expressed a similar nervousness when meeting the director multiple times:
“I’ve only met (Scorsese) so many times, and every time I’m paralyzed by the need to make him love me.”
This sentiment highlights the pressure and reverence many artists feel when encountering an icon like Scorsese, underscoring why Hader’s overeager approach is relatable, rather than off-putting.
Reflection and Lasting Respect
Since that initial faux pas, Hader has met numerous other prominent directors, yet none triggered the self-critical reaction he experienced after his encounter with Scorsese. Despite the awkwardness, the legendary filmmaker did not seem to take offense. Hader confirmed,
“I’ve seen him since then, and it was great,”
signaling that their relationship remains positive. This story reveals not only Hader’s admiration for cinema and his idols but also the human side of star-struck moments behind the scenes at SNL, especially within the hallowed Martin Scorsese SNL dressing room.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Martin Scorsese religious?
A. Martin Scorsese has identified himself as Catholic. He once mentioned to NCR that he feels most at ease with the Catholic faith. Although he doesn’t go to church every Sunday, he holds Catholic beliefs. Scorsese expressed that his life path follows Catholicism.
Q. Does Martin Scorsese have OCD?
A. Martin Scorsese is a well-known director and writer. It is believed he has OCD. He explored this topic in two movies, *The Aviator* and his first short film, *What’s a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This*.
