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  • Lorne Michaels
    Unidentified photographer, [Lorne Michaels], 2000s. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.
  • Advertisement
    Newspaper advertisement for NBC's Saturday Night, 1975. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.
  • Lorne Michaels with Dave Wilson and Chevy Chase
    Michael Dobo, [Lorne Michaels with Dave Wilson and Chevy Chase], 1978. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.
  • Clipping
    Clipping from TV Times for The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour, ca. 1971. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.
  • Lorne Michaels and Ray Charles
    Unidentified photographer, [Lorne Michaels and Ray Charles], 1977. Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.
  • David Spade, Lorne Michaels, and Chris Farley
    Unidentified photographer, [David Spade, Lorne Michaels, and Chris Farley], ca. 1995.
    Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.
  • Slides
    Edie Baskin, [Slides of photo bumpers for Saturday Night Live Seasons 1-5], 1970s.
    Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.
  • Cast portrait
    Edie Baskin, [Shelley Duvall, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Lorne Michaels, and Laraine Newman], 1977.
    Lorne Michaels Collection. Harry Ransom Center.
  • Lorne Michaels
  • Advertisement
  • Lorne Michaels with Dave Wilson and Chevy Chase
  • Clipping
  • Lorne Michaels and Ray Charles
  • David Spade, Lorne Michaels, and Chris Farley
  • Slides
  • Cast portrait

Announcement — January 15, 2025

The Lorne Michaels Collection

We are proud to announce the acquisition of the Lorne Michaels Collection. Spanning over 50 years, this extraordinary archive highlights Michaels's groundbreaking contributions to television comedy, from his early writing on Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In to the iconic sketches and performances that have shaped American culture through Saturday Night Live (SNL)—the most Emmy-nominated show in TV history.

The collection also celebrates Michaels's influence beyond SNL, showcasing his work on hit shows like The Kids in the Hall, as well as films like Wayne's World and Mean Girls. Through these projects, Michaels has nurtured generations of comedic talent, shaping the careers of performers like Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Bill Murray while leaving an indelible mark on entertainment.

From rehearsal notes and sketches to annotated scripts and personal correspondence, the archive offers an intimate view of Michaels's creative process and the collaborative spirit that has driven his success. Now part of the Harry Ransom Center's renowned collection, this archive ensures that his legacy will inspire future storytellers, comedians, and creators for generations to come.

The collection will be fully available for research in January 2026.

A special exhibition, Live from New York! The Making of Lorne Michaels (September 20, 2025 – March 15, 2026), will offer an exclusive look behind the scenes of SNL and its influence on society. More information on the exhibition will be made available soon.

Subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on social media for updates on the exhibition, public programming, and more!

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: What is included in this collection?
    A: The extensive Lorne Michaels Collection documents his full career, beginning with his teenage years in theatre productions, to his early work in television, through the 50-year history of Saturday Night Live, and on to film and other television projects.

    The archive includes correspondence, scripts, production materials, photographs, and press materials relating to Michaels's early work in television for The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show (1968), Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968–1969), The Hart and Lorne Terrific Hour (1970–1971), and other projects.

    The collection also features a significant volume of scripts, production materials, photographs, and publicity materials from other television and film work produced by Lorne Michaels, including such shows as The Kids in the Hall, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, 30 Rock, Portlandia, and The Tonight Show. Films represented in the collection include The Three Amigos (1986), Wayne's World (1992), Coneheads (1993), Tommy Boy (1995), and Mean Girls (2004), among many others.

    Q: How can I view materials in the collection?
    A: The Ransom Center is preparing a major exhibition, Live from New York! The Making of Lorne Michaels, offering the public a preview of the Lorne Michaels Collection. The exhibition will be on view at the Ransom Center from September 20, 2025, to March 15, 2026, and admission will be free.

    We are currently in the process of cataloging the collection. For individuals who would like to conduct research in the Lorne Michaels Collection, the collection is expected to be fully available for research in our reading room in January 2026 when cataloging is complete. The Ransom Center welcomes all researchers and visitors. Information about accessing the Center's collections in our reading room and setting up a research account is available on our website.

    Q: How did the library/museum acquire this collection?
    A: This extraordinary collection was a generous gift from Lorne Michaels.

    Q: Can I borrow items from this collection?
    A: Materials in the Ransom Center are made available for study in our reading room. The Ransom Center considers loan requests from other museums in accordance with our Exhibition Loan Policy and Conditions for Loans.

    Q: How do I request permission to use materials for publication?
    A: Information and resources about rights and reproductions for Ransom Center collection materials are available on our website. Please note that materials within the collection are protected under copyright law, and individuals are responsible for obtaining necessary permissions from any rights holders before publication. Please contact Ashley Park, Head of Communications and Marketing, for press usage at ashley.park@austin.utexas.edu

    Q: When is the upcoming exhibition?
    A: The exhibition, Live from New York! The Making of Lorne Michaels, will open September 20, 2025 and run through March 15, 2026. The exhibition will showcase highlights from Lorne Michaels' career and feature a range of materials, including behind-the-scenes photographs, scripts, costumes, and more.

    Q: How can I stay updated on the exhibition details?
    A: To stay informed about the exhibition's opening date and other exciting news, we encourage you to:

    Q: Will tickets be required for the exhibition?
    A: The exhibition will be free and open to the public. Donations are always welcome, and they support the Ransom Center's exhibitions, programs, and educational mission.

    Q: Will there be any special events or programs during the exhibition?
    A: Yes! We plan to host a variety of events, including screenings, talks, and tours. Detailed event information will be shared on our website and social media closer to the exhibition's opening.

    For access to exhibition opening celebrations, become a member! Learn more at hrc.utexas.edu/membership.

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About the Harry Ransom Center

The Harry Ransom Center at The University of Texas at Austin is an internationally renowned humanities research library and museum that invites visitors to arrive with curiosity and leave with inspiration. With nearly 1 million books, more than 42 million manuscripts, 5 million photographs, and 100,000 works of art, the Ransom Center provides unique insights into the creative processes of some of the world's most celebrated writers and artists. Highlights from the collection include Robert De Niro's archive, Frida Kahlo's iconic self-portrait, and one of only 20 complete Gutenberg Bibles. The Ransom Center serves as a gathering place for curious minds, offering exhibitions, programs, and research opportunities that inspire intellectual exploration and discovery. With direct access to countless items in the collection, the HRC archives are open for anyone to explore and discover.


Media Contact

Ashley Park
Head of Marketing and Communications
ashley.park@austin.utexas.edu