What Happened to Colin Kelly Jost?

Colin Jost, born on June 29, 1982, in Staten Island, New York, embarked on his comedy career after graduating from Harvard University in 2004, where he served as president of The Harvard Lampoon. He initially worked as a reporter and copy editor for the Staten Island Advance before joining NBC's "Saturday Night Live" as a staff writer in 2005 at the age of 22, making him one of the youngest writers in the show's history.

Jost quickly rose through the ranks at SNL, becoming a writing supervisor from 2009 to 2012 and then a co-head writer from 2012 to 2015, a position he held again from 2017 to 2022. In March 2014, he took over as co-anchor of the iconic "Weekend Update" segment alongside Michael Che, replacing Seth Meyers. Their on-air chemistry, often characterized by Che's wiseguy charm contrasting with Jost's preppy persona, has been a hallmark of the segment. In October 2021, Jost surpassed Seth Meyers' record for the longest-serving "Weekend Update" anchor in SNL history.

Beyond his professional achievements, Jost's personal life has also garnered attention. He began a relationship with actress Scarlett Johansson in May 2017, and they became engaged in May 2019, marrying in October 2020. The couple welcomed their son, Cosmo, in August 2021. In 2023, Jost, along with fellow Staten Island native and SNL comedian Pete Davidson, made headlines for purchasing a decommissioned Staten Island Ferry boat, the MV John F. Kennedy, with plans to convert it into an entertainment venue.

Jost has also ventured into other projects, including publishing his memoir, "A Very Punchable Face," in July 2020, which became a New York Times Best Seller. He has appeared in films such as "Tom & Jerry" (2021) and had a cameo in his wife's 2024 film "Fly Me to the Moon." In 2024, he hosted the White House Correspondents' Dinner and was announced as the host for "Pop Culture Jeopardy!" on Amazon Prime Video. His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including multiple Writers Guild of America Awards and Primetime Emmy nominations.

As of May 2026, Colin Jost continues his role on "Saturday Night Live" and recently participated in the Season 51 finale's traditional "Weekend Update" joke swap with Michael Che. The second season of "Pop Culture Jeopardy!," with Jost as host, moved to Netflix and premiered in 2026. He is also set to appear in the comedy film "The Breadwinner," scheduled for release on May 29, 2026. In 2025, he received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the College of Staten Island, CUNY. Jost also served as a correspondent for NBC Sports during the 2024 Summer Olympics surfing events in Tahiti, though he had to return home early due to an injury.