When I left my parents' home when I was 19, I went to the University of Florida, and within 24 hours was in the mental health department. And within 20 minutes, I was being told by the director there that they didn't have what I needed there.

After the end of the 34th season Hammond retired from the show after a record-breaking 14 years as a repertory player. In 2009 Hammond had a guest starring role on the FX drama Damages. He had his own stand-up comedy special on Comedy Central: Comedy Central Presents Darrell Hammond.

He was a regular on Saturday Night Live (SNL) from 1995 until 2009 the longest tenure of any cast member. Hammond has made more SNL appearances than any other cast member and has impersonated more than 107 celebrities (with former President Bill Clinton as his most frequent impression).