Sarah Sherman Sobs After SNL Payroll Mix-Up Sends Her Pay to Comedy Legend’s Estate
Let’s all pretend we didn’t see this one coming: Sarah Sherman’s paychecks from Saturday Night Live briefly became a love letter to a comedy icon who’s been dead for years. The normally unflappable SNL star “started hysterically sobbing” when she learned her hard-earned compensation ended up in the hands of the late Jerry Lewis’s estate, according to the New York Post. It turns out even National Lampoon-level absurdity can’t top this payroll snafu.
Sherman, known for her razor-sharp sketches and impassive facial expressions, reportedly received a FedEx envelope on February 10 with a “special delivery” note that was decidedly un-special. Instead of direct deposit into her own bank account, her union-scale checks—totaling several thousand dollars—had been rerouted to Lewis’s estate. Because nothing says “we value your performance” like sending your money to someone who can’t deposit it.
The mix-up, confirmed by both People magazine and Deadline, stemmed from a misfiled paperwork glitch between SNL’s accounting department and the actor’s guild records. While Sarah was busy nailing every oddball character on stage, someone behind the scenes managed to transpose her account information with the late comic’s trust. Oops? Comedy of errors, indeed.
When Sherman opened the letter, her first reaction was disbelief. Her second was tears—hysterical, full-body convulsions of “Is this real life?” as described by an insider who swears they’re still giggling at the image. You’d think a show with live audiences and razor-sharp one-liners would have its financial ducks in a row, but no. This is SNL, where the unexpected is part of the charm—along with the occasional misplaced paycheck.
SNL representatives quickly issued an apology to both Sherman and the Lewis estate, clarifying that the checks have since been voided and reissued to Sherman’s actual bank. A spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter, “We regret the error and appreciate Sarah’s understanding. Rest assured, the estate is happily reunited with Jerry’s earnings, wherever they may be.” One can only hope Jerry’s estate sends a thank-you note—preferrably on something more substantial than a sticky note.
Meanwhile, Sherman is reportedly back to her stoic self, ready to deliver deadpan gold on live TV. After all, what’s a little payroll mix-up next to a 40-minute sketch? Tune in next time for more bad decisions and questionable life choices.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post, People.com, Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
