Kenan Thompson is marking the 30th anniversary of a cult classic that played a pivotal role in launching his career: Heavyweights.
“The history books will say this squad instilled a level of fear not yet known to man, and certainly not to [Ben Stiller],” Thompson shared on Instagram Wednesday, alongside a carousel of stills, posed shots, and behind-the-scenes photos from the 1995 comedy.
“THIRTY YEARS of [Heavyweights] and it still feels like just yesterday I was packing up for camp. What a time!!! Thanks [Judd Apatow] and thank you Steve Brill for a great summer in Hendersonville, NC!!! Never forget it!!” he concluded.
Judd Apatow Pays Tribute to Late Heavyweights Actor
Although Thompson had already made a major breakthrough in 1994 by securing a featured role on All That, Heavyweights solidified his comedic talent in Hollywood.
As only the second film in his budding career, Heavyweights follows a group of kids at a weight-loss camp who rebel against the overzealous fitness fanatics that have taken over.
The film reunited Thompson with director Steven Brill, who had previously worked with him on his debut film, D2: The Mighty Ducks. It also marked the feature screenwriting debut of Judd Apatow, who would go on to shape some of the most defining comedies of the following decade, including The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up.
Apatow himself commemorated the anniversary with a heartfelt post. “SNL 50th AND Heavyweights 30th anniversary! And [Kenan] is on both—so that must have been especially exciting for him!” he wrote in an Instagram post Wednesday, sharing a behind-the-scenes shot with the young comedian.
Heavyweights’ Enduring Legacy
The film also starred Thompson’s Mighty Ducks castmate Aaron Schwartz, Ben Stiller in a dual role, Stiller’s father Jerry Stiller, Paul Feig (who would later become a renowned comedy director), Tim Blake Nelson, Anne Meara, Jeffrey Tambor, and more.
Though Heavyweights barely broke even at the box office and received mixed-to-polite reviews upon its release, it found a second life through home rentals and TV syndication, eventually earning cult classic status.
The love for the film remains strong among its cast and crew. Stiller also acknowledged the anniversary in a post on X Tuesday, writing, “Somehow I don’t think this will be at the head of the Disney+ queue ever. 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.”
