SNL Finally Giving Obama Role to Black Cast Member

Fred Armisen has been the show's President Obama since 2008, but Jay Pharoah, who is actually black, will take the role.

By Jorge Rivas Sep 14, 2012

In an interview with the New York Times, Lorne Michaels, the longtime producer of Saturday Night Live, announced he’s taking the role of President Obama away from Fred Armisen, (who’s Venezuelan, German and Japanese) and giving it to Jay Pharoah, who’s African American and who actually does a good Obama impression (unlike Fred.)

Here’s the snippet from Michaels’ interview with the New York Times:

Fred Armisen has been the show’s President Obama since 2008, but Mr. Michaels said he would be relying on Jay Pharoah, who joined the cast in 2010.

"Jay has been doing Obama in his act this summer, and Jay is coming into his own," Mr. Michaels said. "I just thought it might be time to shake it up."

Watch Pharoah showing David Letterman his Obama impression below.