Actor Alec Baldwin is facing criticism for using a raspy voice to mimic Robert Kennedy Jr. during a skit on Saturday Night Live.
The skit featured comedian Dana Carvey as bumbling Joe Biden and SNL member James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump.
Baldwin joined the pair on stage as RFK Jr. and said, in a raspy voice, “I’m so honored to be the head of the Department of Health and Human Services. Americans need someone to teach them how to be healthy, like me, a 70-year-old man with movie star looks and a worm in his brain.”
As he delivered the “joke,” Baldwin altered his voice to mimic Kennedy’s rasp.
In 1996, Kennedy, then 42, was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called spasmodic dysphonia.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, spasmodic dysphonia is a chronic neurological speech disorder that results in involuntary spasms of the muscles that open or close the vocal folds. It causes the voice to suddenly sound breathy, strained, shaky or hoarse as if a person has lost their voice.
Kenney’s sister, Kerry, suffers from the same disorder.
Watch:
Alec Baldwin Debuts His RFK Jr. Impression on SNL
He even went for the raspy voice.
“I care deeply about a woman’s right to choose—to choose to give her child polio.”
“I’m so honored to be the head of the Health and Human Services Department. Americans need someone to teach… pic.twitter.com/kkJQ2SQjFF
— The Vigilant Fox (@VigilantFox) November 17, 2024
Baldwin’s insensitive decision to mimic Kennedy’s disorder did not go over well.
SNL actually brought back Alec Baldwin… after he killed a woman…
to do the worst possible impersonation of RFK Jr.
This is what they’re reduced to. pic.twitter.com/hWKHkIeCQI
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) November 17, 2024
So now we’re making fun of neurological disorders?
— Prints (@Prints_sol) November 17, 2024
In July, a judge dismissed involuntary manslaughter charges against Baldwin in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Baldwin’s western flick “Rust” in 2021.
