Tommy Brennan: From St. Paul to Saturday Night Live

Tommy Brennan’s journey from stand-up to Saturday Night Live is the kind of success story that reminds us why comedy matters. The St. Paul, Minnesota native made his television debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in June 2025, and months later was announced as part of SNL’s Season 51 cast. He’s a comedian who has paid his dues at the Comedy Cellar and in clubs across the country, and his rapid ascent speaks to both his talent and his work ethic.

Who is Tommy Brennan?

Brennan is an American stand-up comedian from St. Paul, Minnesota, now based in New York City. He attended Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame, where he studied accounting—a background he may or may not reference in his comedy. He grew up in a family of eight children (six sisters and one brother) in an Irish Catholic household, and that large family dynamic informs his perspective and humor.

He made his television debut on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on June 12, 2025, delivering a strong set that caught the attention of NBC executives. In September 2025, he was announced as one of five new featured players added to “Saturday Night Live” for Season 51. The announcement came alongside Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.

Before his SNL announcement, Brennan was recognized for his comedy talent when he was named a “New Face of Comedy” at the prestigious Just for Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal in 2023. He has opened for comedians including Nikki Glaser, Taylor Tomlinson, and the late Louie Anderson.

Beyond stand-up, Brennan is the co-creator of the popular web series “Roommates-In-Law” with Tim Smith, which has accumulated millions of views online and demonstrates his creativity beyond the stand-up stage.

Tommy Brennan’s Comedy Style

Brennan’s comedy emerges from his Midwestern background and his perspective as someone from a large Irish Catholic family. He finds humor in family dynamics, growing up, relationships, and the absurdities of everyday life. His comedy is relatable without being generic—there’s specificity to his material that comes from his genuine observations and experiences.

What Fans and Fellow Comedians Say

Brennan’s rapid rise from Comedy Cellar regular to Tonight Show performer to SNL cast member speaks to his talent and appeal. His selection as a New Face at Just for Laughs, his strong Tonight Show appearance, and his SNL casting are all validations from industry professionals who see something special in his comedy.

Where to Find Tommy Brennan

Follow Tommy Brennan on Instagram at @somekidtommy (156K followers) and visit his official site at somekidtommy.com for tour dates and updates. Catch his sets on Mint Comedy at watch.mintcomedy.com for his Comedy Cellar performances. Watch him on “Saturday Night Live,” which airs live on Saturday nights on NBC.