Walton Goggins brought laughs—and just the right amount of swagger—to his Saturday Night Live (SNL) debut on May 10, sidestepping swirling rumours about tension with The White Lotus co-star Aimee Lou Wood. The 53-year-old actor leaned into the fun of live comedy and his recent ‘sex symbol’ status, steering clear of any off-screen drama.
The episode featured indie rock band Arcade Fire as the musical guest, but all eyes were on Goggins, who opened the show with a self-deprecating and charming monologue. “Most of you probably know me from The White Lotus,” he quipped. “No spoilers, but I die.”
Goggins then leaned into the recent internet obsession with his intense on-screen persona, joking about becoming an unlikely heartthrob in his fifties. “Some of my friends have asked, ‘What’s it like to be a sex symbol at 53?’ Honestly, it feels fantastic,” he admitted, before poking fun at some of the less flattering headlines he’s come across.
Displaying his signature wit, he highlighted one such headline: Hollywood’s Newest Heartthrob Is a Greasy, Depressing Little Man Whom No One Saw Coming. Goggins laughed, “Thank you? But honestly, the most offensive part of that headline is the word ‘whom.’ It just sounds so pretentious.”
The actor also gave viewers a peek into his roots, inviting his mother on stage for a surprise performance. The mother-son duo began with a slow dance that turned into an impressive tap-dancing routine, earning big applause from the audience.
Drama Left Off Stage
Noticeably absent from Goggins’ SNL appearance was any reference to the alleged fallout with Aimee Lou Wood. The speculation began in April after eagle-eyed fans noted that the actors no longer followed each other on Instagram. Some even believed they had blocked each other.
Adding fuel to the fire, co-star Jason Isaacs hinted at tensions during filming in Thailand. On a SiriusXM appearance, Isaacs said, “People have to remember it was the actors and the crew — all these people are in a little pressure cooker together,” although he didn’t mention anyone by name.
While The White Lotus Season 3 wrapped over a month ago, buzz around the cast’s off-screen dynamics remains alive. But on SNL, Goggins kept the focus on comedy, charm, and a reminder that at 53, he’s just getting started.
