Austin Butler Addresses Accusations His Voice Changed After 'Elvis' & Does Gollum Impression During 'Saturday Night Live' Opening Monologue

Austin Butler is kicking off Saturday Night Live with a couple of timely jokes and references to his family.

The 31-year-old Elvis actor is hosting the December 17 episode of the popular late-night show, and he took the stage to deliver an opening monologue fit for the Christmas episode.

During it, he joked about accusations that his voice has changed since he played Elvis Presley, and he showed off another impression of his.

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“There’s people out there who say that ever since I played Elvis my voice has changed,” he said. “That it got deeper, more Elvis-y. But that’s not true. I’ve always sounded like this, and I can prove it.”

Austin then ran an interview from when he was promoting The Carrie Diaries and pitched his voice up to emphasize the joke.

The star shouted out his sister Ashley who was present in the audience. He also referenced his late mother.

“I love my mom. Some of my favorite memories from growing up are she and I watching SNL together. We’d watch every week, and even though I had this crippling shyness when I was with her, I’d do anything to make my mom laugh. I’d make funny faces and voices. I’d even do this ridiculous Gollum impression,” he said before imitating the classic Lord of the Rings character.

“Being silly with her is really what broke me out of my shell, and it’s the core of my what started me in acting,” he added. “Tonight just know that anytime you see me doing a silly voice or making a funny face, that’s for you mom.”

Austin also joked about the ongoing pandemic and so much more.

We’ll update this story with a video of the monologue once it’s available online! In the meantime, see who Austin approached for advice before taking the gig.

Watch Austin Butler’s opening monologue below…