TORONTO — Pope Francis, U.S. president Barack Obama, Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai and Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels are all included on TIME magazine’s list of the 100 Most Influential People.
Michaels, a 70-year-old native of Toronto, made the cut for the second time since 2008.
“Hard to think of anyone more skilled at discovering extraordinary comedic performers,” wrote actor Jack Nicholson in a tribute to Michaels.
“He is graciously suspect of admiration, and he understands that a discussion or dissection of humour is doomed to be dull. His credo: be funny and get on with it.”
Michaels is part of the “Titans” category on the list compiled by TIME, which includes rapper Kanye West, Apple CEO Tim Cook and reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
In February, Michaels was once again named on Billboard magazine’s Power 100 list.
Born Lorne Lipowitz, Michaels began his career at CBC Radio after graduating from the University of Toronto. He co-created SNL in 1975 and remains the show’s executive producer.
Though he became a U.S. citizen in 1987, Michael has been honoured several times by his native country, including an Order of Canada, a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame and a Governor General’s Performing Arts Award.
Other pop culture figures on the 100 Most Influential People list include Emma Watson, Reese Witherspoon, Laverne Cox, Bradley Cooper, Amy Schumer, Chris Pratt, Kevin Hart, Tim McGraw, John Oliver, Christopher Nolan and Bjork.
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