Why Didn't Kel Mitchell Become As Famous As Kenan Thompson?

The short answer as to why Kel disappeared from show biz is that he didn't really disappear. But fame isn't really on his radar these days.

Kenan Thompson Beat Kel Out For An 'SNL' Role

One of Kenan's biggest claims to fame is his tenure on 'SNL.' He's been on the show since 2003 and broken a handful of records on stage and off. But fans may not know that around the time he was pushing to join the cast (at first he was told he was too young), Kel Mitchell was giving it a go, too.

Sources say that both comedians tried out for 'Saturday Night Live' in 2003, but only one of them received a job offer. Kel doesn't seem to hold a grudge against his long-ago co-star, though (and they're working together again these days).

Why Didn't Kel Mitchell Stay In The Spotlight?

In an interview, he explained that after 'Kenan & Kel' ended, he continued with acting gigs as usual. He never anticipated that Hollywood would forget about him -- or that he'd start popping up in headlines again when someone claimed he'd died.

As Mitchell himself noted, "all press is good press," and the rumors of his passing turned out to be a boon for business. At the same time, Kel hasn't missed out on many opportunities, apart from 'SNL.'

What Is Kel Mitchell Doing Today?

So what has Kel been doing since 'All That' and his other Nickelodeon gigs of yesteryear? He's still acting today, and fans can catch him on shows like 'Game Shakers' and co-producing a new iteration of 'All That' with Kenan.

And he doesn't mind being remembered for such gigs, either -- even Kel's family quotes his old characters' lines and catchphrases to him.

Kel Has A Family (And Another Generation Of Comedic Relief)

One family member that especially loves Kel's comedic past is his son. In fact, the teen -- who missed the 'All That' days by many years -- used to re-enact his dad's old gags, Kel told an interviewer.

Clearly, his past characters are still close to Kel's heart, even if they didn't earn him as strong a spotlight as Kenan Thompson's have earned for the other half of the hilarious pair.

Mitchell Doesn't Mind Not Being Uber-Famous

He kind of likes the anonymity, it seems; Kel Mitchell doesn't have fans rushing him on the street, and he's able to prioritize his family life over dodging paparazzi and avoiding scandals.

Besides, Mitchell is also a youth pastor, so he's more about connecting with people on a personal level versus on the small screen (and the big screen) in the way that he used to more often.

Of course, fans of 'Game Shakers' and other tween comedies on Nick haven't forgotten about the '90s actor -- and they knew he wasn't dead.

NEXT: 9 Nickelodeon Stars Who Are Now Parents