The SNL alum credits The Amanda Show and Amanda Bynes for launching his career, praising her talent and likening her to comedy legends Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett.
Taran Killam, best known for his comedic chops on Saturday Night Live, is giving credit where it’s due — to Amanda Bynes. In a heartfelt conversation on the Fly on the Wall podcast hosted by David Spade and Dana Carvey, Killam opened up about his early days in the industry and the pivotal role Bynes played in launching his career.
“It was my first job, literally the last week of high school I got cast on her show,” Killam shared of his time on The Amanda Show, Bynes’ hit Nickelodeon sketch series that aired from 1999 to 2002. “We worked together for three weeks then. I went away to college, I didn’t have an agent anymore, I was focused on school. They called me back to do more, they helped me get an agent.”
That callback, and the opportunity to work closely with Bynes, changed everything. “Being on The Amanda Show started my grown-up acting career,” he said. “We were friends, we did a movie together, Big Fat Liar. She was the best. It was a very important relationship to me in my life.”
Killam didn’t hold back his admiration for Bynes’ comedic brilliance, describing her as “one of the most talented people I’ve ever met.” Spade echoed the sentiment, comparing Bynes’ public journey to that of Britney Spears, both of whom have faced intense scrutiny and personal challenges in the spotlight.
“It’s a very tough world out here, showbiz,” Spade said, with Killam quickly adding, “She’s truly one of the best,” and comparing her talent to that of Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett.
Bynes, once a dominant force in early 2000s cinema with hits like She’s the Man and Hairspray, stepped away from Hollywood after 2010’s Easy A. Her personal life has since drawn public attention, particularly her struggles with mental health and a nearly decade-long conservatorship, which was officially terminated in 2022.
In April, the 39-year-old actress announced she had joined OnlyFans. However, she clarified her purpose for being on the platform: “I’m doing OnlyFans to chat with my fans through DMs. I won’t be posting any sleazy content. Excited to join.”
Other Nickelodeon stars have also shown public support for Bynes over the years. Kenan Thompson, her All That costar, recently told Tamron Hall, “I unfortunately haven’t spoken to Amanda since she was really, really young… I’m just rooting for her from afar.”
While Bynes has remained largely out of the spotlight, the affection and respect she commands among her peers — especially from someone like Killam, whose career has soared since their time together — is a testament to her lasting impact.
“She was the best,” Killam said once more. “It was a very important relationship to me in my life.”
