Walton Goggins made his Saturday Night Live debut unforgettable by dedicating his opening monologue to his mother in a touching tribute during SNL’s special Mother’s Day weekend episode. The White Lotus and The Righteous Gemstones star brought heartfelt emotion — and humor — to Studio 8H as he danced on stage with his mom, Janet Long.

🕺 Walton Goggins SNL Monologue Features Dance With Mom
After making his way down the iconic SNL steps, Goggins addressed the viral internet buzz surrounding his status as an unexpected sex symbol thanks to his eccentric role in HBO’s The White Lotus. “It feels fantastic to be a sex symbol at 53 years old,” he joked — until a quick Google search revealed headlines poking fun at his appearance.

Among the tongue-in-cheek coverage, Goggins quoted Cosmopolitan’s “Are We All Horny for Walton Goggins’s Receding Hairline?” and Slate’s hilariously titled “His Hair Is Greasy. His Eyes Are Bulging. I Think I’m in Love.” He playfully defended his look, saying: “I’ve had the same hairline since I was 7. It’s not receding — it’s holding its ground.”

💐 SNL Mother’s Day Episode Becomes a Family Affair
The emotional highlight of Goggins’ SNL hosting debut came when he spoke about his childhood in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was raised by his mother and her sisters. “My mama is the most important person in my life,” Goggins declared, recalling how his mom took him to honky-tonks when she couldn’t afford a babysitter, and taught him how to clog and two-step.

Spotting her in the audience, he invited Janet Long on stage, asking, “Would you dance with me?” What started as a slow two-step turned into an energetic clog dance, earning a standing ovation from the live audience and making for one of the most memorable SNL Mother’s Day moments in recent memory.

📺 More Saturday Night Live 2025 Highlights

• Cecily Strong returned as Judge Jeanine Pirro in the cold open

• Speculation continues about potential SNL cast changes ahead of Season 50

• Goggins’ Southern charm and heartfelt tribute set a high bar for hosts this season