Woody Harrelson explains why Jim Carrey replaced him as Saturday Night Live’s Joe Biden

Actor suggested he was passed over for the role because of a lack of availability

Woody Harrelson has explained why he is no longer playing the role of Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live.

It was announced yesterday (16 September) that Jim Carrey is set to step into the role of the Democratic presidential candidate on the popular US sketch series.

Harrelson has portrayed the former vice president in several sketches before, with Jason Sudeikis and John Mulaney also taking turns impersonating the Democratic candidate. 

Before the Carrey announcement, Harrelson addressed his departure in an interview with NME. 

He said: “I was approached two or three times but I couldn’t do it so I don’t know, maybe Lorne has moved on which would probably be smart to have people who were definitely going to show up.

“Because I don’t know, I wasn’t always going to be there, but I’d be open to doing it again of course. It’s so fun,” the Cheers star added.

SNL head Lorne Michaels revealed that Carrey landed the job after pitching him his “take” on the part directly. 

“There was some interest on his part,” Michaels told Vulture. “And then we responded, obviously, positively. But it came down to discussions about what the take was. 

“He and Colin Jost had a bunch of talks. He and I as well. He will give the part energy and strength, and…hopefully it’s funny.”

Maya Rudolph (Bridesmaids) will also feature prominently in the forthcoming season of SNL playing Biden’s running mate, Kamala Harris.