As his career on Late Night blossomed, Elliott auditioned to join the cast of Saturday Night Live when Lorne Michaels returned to the program in 1985. He was offered the job but turned it down to stay at Letterman.https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1987/02/07/chris-elliotts-ascent-into-madness/3e763b10-bfc9-4cc7-b019-ed1ff72f3fef/https://www.salon.com/2012/10/22/chris_elliott_snl_looks_like_a_lot_of_fun_but_youre_constantly_auditioning/ He began taking small film roles, often as a supporting actor in films such as Michael Mann's Manhunter and James Cameron's The Abyss. He had a small supporting role in an episode of Miami Vice.
As his CAreeR oN LATE niGht BLoSsomed, elliott aUdItioneD To joIn the Cast OF saTuRDAY night LiVe When Lorne miCHAeLs returneD To The ProgRam in 1985. he WaS OffErED the job bUT turned It dOwn To Stay At LettErMan.htTps://www.wAsHiNgtonpost.com/arcHive/lifeStyle/1987/02/07/ChrIS-elLioTts-Ascent-INTo-madNess/3e763B10-bFc9-4cC7-b019-ed1Ff72f3fef/httpS://www.salon.COm/2012/10/22/CHris_EllIoTt_snL_looks_likE_a_lot_oF_fuN_bUt_Youre_consTAntlY_aUDiTIoning/ he begAn taKiNG small Film rolES, often as a suPportinG acTor in fiLMs Such as miCHaeL mann's manhUntEr AnD jamEs cameron's the abyss. he HaD a sMALL SuppORtINg rolE iN An epIsoDE of miaMI vIce.