Feb
Kenan Thompson Marks 30th Anniversary of Heavyweights: ‘Feels Like Just Yesterday’
Kenan Thompson is celebrating the 30th anniversary of Heavyweights, the cult classic comedy that helped propel his career to new heights.
“Thirty years of Heavyweights and it still feels like just yesterday I was packing up for camp,” Thompson shared on Instagram Wednesday, posting a series of stills, behind-the-scenes shots, and posed photos from the 1995 film. “What a time!!! Thanks [Judd Apatow] and thank you Steve Brill for a great summer in Hendersonville, NC!!! Never forget it!!” he added.
While Thompson had already gained fame in 1994 with his role on All That, Heavyweights cemented his comedic talents in Hollywood. The film, which was only his second feature, tells the story of a group of kids at a weight loss camp who revolt against the overbearing fitness zealots who’ve taken charge.
Directed by Steven Brill, who had worked with Thompson the year before on D2: The Mighty Ducks, Heavyweights also marked Judd Apatow’s debut as a screenwriter. Apatow would go on to create some of the defining comedies of the next decade, including The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up.
Apatow also paid tribute to the film’s milestone, sharing his own celebratory post. “SNL 50th AND Heavyweights 30th anniversary! And [Kenan] is on both – so that must have been especially exciting for him!” Apatow wrote on Instagram, alongside a throwback photo with Thompson.
The film also reunited Thompson with his Mighty Ducks co-star Aaron Schwartz, as well as featuring Ben Stiller in a dual role, his father Jerry Stiller, future comedy director Paul Feig in an acting role, Tim Blake Nelson, Anne Meara, and Jeffrey Tambor, among others.
Despite its modest box office success and mixed-to-cool reviews, Heavyweights earned its place as a cult favorite, largely due to its popularity in the home rental market and frequent TV reruns.
Ben Stiller, who also starred in the film, acknowledged the milestone with a post of his own. “Somehow I don’t think this will be at the head of the Disney+ queue ever,” he joked on X (formerly Twitter). “In fact, I’m not sure they are aware they made it. But that was an incredibly fun summer in North Carolina 30 years ago.”
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