These 20 "SNL" Cast Members Easily Beat Out All Those Before And After Them
Saturday Night Live is a major institution in comedy. And while it may not be everyone's ~thing~, there's no denying it has spawned some serious talent.
SNL's brightest talent have dominated screens big and small, taken the stage by storm, and even conquered late night.
NBC / Via giphy.com
Of all the talents to come and go from Studio 8H, these 20 are truly the best of the best.
NBC / Via giphy.com
20.Cheri Oteri
Cheri Oteri may not have followed up her time on SNL (1995–2000) with a major career like so many others, but there's no denying the mark she left on the show. She shined opposite Will Ferrell as a Spartan cheerleader while also nailing impersonations like Barbara Walters and Mariah Carey.
19.Mike Myers
While most people remember Mike Myer's time on SNL for Wayne's World, the Canadian comic had a whole repertoire of memorable characters, including the hosts of "Coffee Talk" and "Sprockets" during his tenure from 1989–1995.
18.Bill Hader
Bill Hader truly made a name for himself during his time on the SNL cast from 2005–2013. He was Emmy-nominated for his talented impressions and hilarious writing, torpedoing his TV and film career in the years since.
17.Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase was only on Saturday Night Live for one season (1975–1976), but only because he broke out in a big way. He memorably served as the first "Weekend Update" anchor.
16.Molly Shannon
Molly Shannon mastered the art of making obnoxious, over-the-top characters likable enough to want to see more — from Mary Katherine Gallagher to Sally O'Malley — from 1995–2001.
15.Jan Hooks
From 1986–1991, Jan Hooks was an incredible presence on the cast. Her range of impressions were serious, taking on both Hilary Clinton and Sinead O'Connor.
14.Norm MacDonald
Norm Macdonald stands out as one of the biggest wildcards in SNL history, not afraid to push the envelope during a live show. His time on the show, particularly the end of it, was controversial but there's no questioning his impact on the show.
13.Maya Rudolph
Maya Rudolph was wildly underrated for what she brought to the SNL cast, between her musical talents, a knack for impressions, and unforgettable original characters. She consistently brought the laughs — and caused more than one guest host to break mid-scene — from 2000–2007.
12.Bill Murray
Bill Murray joined the cast during Season 2 in 1997, replacing Chevy Chase, and staying on through Season 5 in 1980. Murray's run on the show put him opposite other SNL greats like Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, and John Belushi for some unforgettable late-night TV.
11.Dana Carvey
Dana Carvey was an SNL staple and from 1986 to 1993, he helped bring some unforgettable original characters. Some of his best work may not center him in the sketch, but it anchors the performance overall nonetheless.
10.Phil Hartman
Phil Hartman was a mainstay of the SNL cast from 1986–1994 and won an Emmy for his writing on the show. Hartman's characters and impressions made him a solid comedic presence, particularly during his time impersonating Bill Clinton.
9.Darrell Hammond
Darrell Hammond was the longest-running SNL castmate from 1995–2009 until Kenan Thompson recently broke his record. In that time, he did an immeasurable amount for the show, from blending into backgrounds to bringing scene-stealing laughs.
8.Tina Fey
Tina Fey shaped a lot of what SNL did in the 2000s as a head writer and one of the show's prominent talents from 2000–2006. Some of her best moments were behind the "Weekend Update" desk opposite late-night hosts-to-be Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.
7.Jane Curtin
Jane Curtin played the perfect straight woman, which set the scene for the more explosive types she often shared the stage with. She was an integral and underrated part of the show's first five seasons, 1975–1980.
6.Gilda Radner
Gilda Radner masterfully illustrated the possibilities of quirky comedy through the first five seasons of SNL. Her parodies were unlike any other and created iconic moments throughout the show's foundational years.
5.Will Ferrell
It's hard to describe the magic Will Ferrell brought to the SNL cast from 1995–2002. He seemed to work seamlessly with everyone in the fluid cast throughout his time and was in many a scene where multiple actors broke character.
4.John Belushi
John Belushi is one of the SNL GOATs and it's not even a question. His characters have penetrated pop culture and the relevance of his comedy influenced some of today's most popular comedic figures.
3.Dan Aykroyd
Dan Aykroyd was among the SNL OGs, both in front of and behind the camera. He easily complimented so many other major talents on the show and made for unforgettable characters from Coneheads to Blues Brothers and Wild and Crazy Guys.
2.Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy joined the SNL cast at just 19 years old in 1980 and was a major factor in bringing the show out of its slump era. Characters like Buckwheat and Mr. Robertson, and impressions that ranged from Stevie Wonder to Bill Cosby, helped bring the show back while also helping launch Murphy into the megastar many know and love today.
1.Chris Farley
Chris Farley's comedy from seasons 16–20 (1990–1995) was truly unforgettable. He was arguably the best physical comic of the show's run so far, bringing remarkable energy to a sometimes mellow or cynical show. Even those who tune into SNL for brainy social commentary could appreciate Farley's brand of comedy.
Your top twenty may vary, so tell us what yours looks like in the comments!
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