- “Saturday Night Live” premiered on October 11, 1975. Two new cast members for its 45th season were just announced.
- Over the past four decades, 152 comedians and actors have been a part of “SNL’s” past, present, and future.
- Some have achieved great success and icon-level status, like Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and Eddie Murphy.
- Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.
With “SNL” heading into its 45th season this fall, it’s easy to take the show for granted. But it wasn’t always the television institution that it is today. Ten years into its run, the show was on the brink of cancellation, according to Vulture, and during its tenure has experienced more than one internal upheaval (coming from a showrunner or even the cast).
Over the past 44 seasons, 150 people have starred on “SNL,” some for over a decade, some for barely an episode. Two new cast members were just annouced for its 45th season.
We’ve rounded up all 152 past, present, and future “SNL” cast members and found out what they’re doing now, whether it’s being retired from acting or starring on the sketch show as we speak.
Keep scrolling to see what your favorite “Saturday Night Live” stars are up to today.
Dan Aykroyd: four seasons (1975-1979)
Dan Aykroyd was one of the original "Not Ready for Primetime Players," aka the first cast of "Saturday Night Live." He was originally hired as just a writer, but was made part of the cast before the show premiered. In addition to starring in classic sketches like the Coneheads, the Blues Brothers, and "Two Wild and Crazy Guys," Aykroyd co-hosted "Weekend Update" for a season alongside Jane Curtin. He uttered the now-iconic phrase, "Jane, you ignorant slut."
Aykroyd, 67, left the show in 1979, and began focusing on movies. He co-wrote the movie version of his sketch "The Blues Brothers" and starred in it alongside John Belushi. It's one of his most recognizable roles to date.
His other most famous role? Raymond Stantz in the now-classic "Ghostbusters" in 1984, and its 1989 sequel. That same year, Aykroyd was nominated for an Oscar for his role in "Driving Miss Daisy."
He's also had a successful business career. He co-founded the music venue chain the House of Blues and co-founded Crystal Head Vodka.
John Belushi: four seasons (1975-1979)
When Rolling Stone ranked all then-145 cast members of "SNL," they put John Belushi in the top spot, calling him "the first rock & roll star of comedy." Belushi was another one of the seven original cast members, and was known for his characters such as a traditional samurai (who frequently had jobs a samurai most likely would not have), and his impressions of pop culture figures like Marlon Brando, Beethoven, and Captain Kirk from "Star Trek."
After leaving the show alongside his friend and collaborator Dan Aykroyd, he starred in the "Blues Brothers" movie and in his most iconic film role, Bluto in "Animal House."
Unfortunately, Belushi also struggled with drug addiction, and died due to an overdose in March 1982. He was 33 years old.
His career inspired many comedic legends and future "SNL" stars like Chris Farley. His life story was turned into the film "Wired," which was critically panned for not accurately capturing the spirit of Belushi.
Chevy Chase: two seasons (1975-1976)
Chevy Chase was arguably the first big star to come out of "SNL" and also the first big star to leave the cast in 1976, after sticking around for just two seasons. He also has the distinction of being the very first "Weekend Update" anchor. For the first season, he was also typically the person who gave the now-standard greeting of "Live from New York, it's Saturday night," followed by a pratfall.
Chase earned five Emmy nominations for his work as both a writer and performer on "SNL," winning three.
After Chase left, he starred in beloved films like "Caddyshack," "National Lampoon's Vacation" (and its sequels), and "Fletch." He also hosted the ill-fated "Chevy Chase Show" which was canceled after five weeks.
To recent audiences, 75-year-old Chase is best known as Pierce Hawthorne from "Community," in which he plays a senior citizen who refuses to graduate from community college, and is a moist toilette tycoon.
George Coe: one season (1975)
George Coe was only credited for the show's first episode, though he appeared sporadically throughout the first season. At 46, he was also the oldest member of the cast at the time. He held that title until Leslie Jones joined the cast in 2014.
After leaving, Coe went on to have a decades-long career in Hollywood, especially in voice-over. He appeared in animated series like "The Legend of Korra," "Star Wars: The Clone Wars," and in four seasons of "Archer" as the titular character's valet.
Coe died in 2015 at the age of 86.
Jane Curtin: five seasons (1975-1980)
Jane Curtin was another "Not Ready for Primetime Player" and part of the original cast. She typically played the straight woman part against the more zany characters played by her co-stars. She also co-hosted "Weekend Update" for three seasons, making her the first female anchor of the segment. Curtin also regularly appeared as part of the Coneheads sketch.
Unlike many of her co-stars, when Curtin left "SNL," she mainly stuck to TV roles. She won back-to-back Emmys for her role in "Kate & Allie," which aired for six seasons. Curtin then starred on all six seasons of "3rd Rock from the Sun," in which she, again, played the straight woman.
Curtin, 71, still acts, and recently appeared in comedy films "The Spy Who Dumped Me," "The Heat," and the upcoming "Welcome to Pine Grove!"
Garrett Morris: five seasons (1975-1980)
Garrett Morris was part of the first cast of "SNL," and therefore the first person of color on the show, which has been accused of struggling with diversity.
Morris' most famous characters were Dominican baseball player Chico Escuela, who had the catchphrase "Baseball bin berra berra good to me," and the "News for the Hard of Hearing" translator, who just screamed the headlines that "Weekend Update" anchor Chevy Chase would say. He reprised the role on "Family Guy" decades later.
While Morris has been positive about his tenure on the show, future black cast members have spoken about trying to avoid getting pigeonholed like he was perceived to have been. According to Vulture, Eddie Murphy even said that producers tried to "Garrett Morris" him.
Morris, 82, steadily acted after he left the show, and has had a successful career in sitcoms. He starred in "The Jamie Foxx Show" from 1996 to 2001, and in "2 Broke Girls" from 2011 to 2017.
Laraine Newman: five seasons (1975-1980)
Rolling Stone called Laraine Newman the "most underrated member of the original cast." She preferred not to repeat characters, unlike her co-stars, so she had fewer notable characters, but one of her most famous was valley girl Sherry.
The pressure of the show weighed heavy on Newman, who ended up snorting heroin, according to TIME.
After the show, Newman, 67, found success in voice acting. She's appeared in dozens of animated classics including "Shrek 2," "Wreck-It Ralph," "Inside Out," Spongebob Squarepants," and perhaps most famously, as Ginger's mother in "As Told by Ginger."
Michael O'Donoghue: one season (1975)
Michael O'Donoghue was the first head writer of "SNL," and remained behind-the-scenes after he stopped appearing on the show. But O'Donoghue has the distinction of uttering the first ever lines of "SNL" and for that remains iconic.
While O'Donoghue was a talented comedy writer (and less of a performer), he sometimes appeared as Mr. Mike, a deadpan storyteller who loved to tell classic bedtime stories with a black comedy spin such as "The Little Engine that Died."
O'Donoghue left the show in 1978 but returned in 1981, only to leave again that year. He made his final return in 1985 when the show's creator, Lorne Michaels, returned as well. It wasn't meant to be, and he was fired a month later, according to Vulture.
He died in 1994 at the age of 54 from a cerebral hemorrhage.
Gilda Radner: five seasons (1975-1980)
Gilda Radner is probably the most universally-beloved member of the original cast. She is known for iconic characters like Roseanne Roseannadanna and Emily Litella, who frequently appeared on "Weekend Update," nerdy girl Lisa Loopner, and Baba Wawa, a spoof of Barbara Walters.
Radner remained on the show for five years, while also starring in a one-woman show on Broadway called "Gilda Radner - Live from New York." She also earned an Emmy for her time on the show.
After she left, she starred in a movie called "Hanky Panky" in 1982 where she met her future husband, Gene Wilder. The two co-starred in two more movies together, "The Woman in Red" and "Haunted Honeymoon."
In 1986, Radner was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After a brief remission, Radner passed away in 1989 at the age of 42. News of her death broke while frequent "SNL" host Steve Martin was preparing his opening monologue, which was then scrapped and replaced by a tearful Martin introducing a sketch the two had appeared in in 1978.
Bill Murray: four seasons (1977-1980)
Bill Murray was the first new cast member to be added to the show when he joined the cast during its second season. During his tenure, he hosted "Weekend Update," created beloved characters like Nick the Lounge Singer, and got into a fist fight with Chevy Chase when he returned to host the show. Murray won his first Emmy for "SNL" in 1977.
After his departure from "SNL," Murray appeared in a slew of comedic hits including "Ghostbusters," "Caddyshack," and "Tootsie" during the '80s. He also starred in the rom-com "Groundhog's Day" in 1993 and in cult classic "Space Jam."
Murray, 68, made his comeback in 2003 in the movie "Lost In Translation," which earned him a Golden Globe and an Oscar nom. Since then, he's become a beloved pop culture presence, cameoing as himself in "Zombieland," voicing Baloo in the live-action "Jungle Book" and hosting the Netflix special "A Very Murray Christmas."
Al Franken: 12 seasons (1977-1980, 1985-1995)
Al Franken had been with the show from the beginning as a writer, but began appearing in sketches in 1977. In his first stint, he primarily appeared alongside his writing partner, Tom Davis. Franken left the show in 1980 when creator Lorne Michaels left, and returned for the 1985-86 season when Michaels did as well.
The '80s were considered Franken's peak on the show, when he debuted one of the most famous "SNL" recurring characters, self-help guru Stuart Smalley. He left the show in 1995 when he was passed over for anchor of "Weekend Update," which was given to Norm MacDonald instead.
Franken, 68, continued working as a comedian until February 2007, when he announced he was running for senator representing Minnesota. He won, and held office until December 2017, when he resigned amidst multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, according to Politico.
Franken now has a podcast and a New Yorker profile recently came out about him.
Tom Davis: three seasons (1977-1980)
Like the other half of the comedic duo Franken & Davis, Tom Davis was originally hired as a writer on "SNL" before getting cast as a performer.
Davis left the show when Lorne Michaels did, and continued to write for movies and TV, including the movies "Coneheads" and "One More Saturday Night." He also wrote an autobiography, "39 Years of Short-Term Memory Loss."
Davis passed away due to throat and neck cancer in 2012. He was 59.
Harry Shearer: two seasons (1979-1980, 1984-1985)
Harry Shearer was hired in 1979 as an "unofficial replacement" for John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, who had both left the show. He left in 1980, and a few years later co-wrote and starred in mockumentary "This Is Spinal Tap."
While promoting the film, Shearer was invited back to the show, and stayed for another season before quitting again. He made a statement that he left due to creative differences.
"I was creative, and they were different," he told AP.
Shearer is best known now for his voice acting, specifically for his roles on "The Simpsons." Shearer is one of the latter's original cast members, and is responsible for voicing long-running characters Ned Flanders, Mr. Burns, Principal Skinner, and many others.
Peter Aykroyd: one season (1980)
Peter Aykroyd is the younger brother of "SNL" legend Dan Aykroyd. Peter's tenure was considerably shorter, though, as he only lasted a season on the show as a writer and performer.
After leaving, he co-wrote the film "Nothing but Trouble" alongside his brother, but hasn't appeared on camera since a 1999 TV movie called "Justice."
Jim Downey: one season (1979-1980)
Jim Downey is mainly known as a writer for "SNL," as he wrote for 27 seasons of the show. This gives him one of the longest tenures in the show's history. When creator Lorne Michaels left the show in 1980, however, Downey left with him, cutting his stint as a performer, specifically, short.
One of Downey's most famous bits as a writer was coining the word "strategery," which was used in a sketch about President Bush in 2000 and became a real term in the Bush administration and amongst Republican figures.
Downey, 66, also appeared in episodes of "30 Rock," Curb Your Enthusiasm," and "Kate & Allie."
Brian Doyle-Murray: two seasons (1979-1980, 1981-1982)
He's part of another "SNL" dynasty - Brian Doyle-Murray is the older brother of Bill Murray. He appeared in the show's fifth and seventh seasons. He was also a writer and was nominated for two Emmy awards.
After leaving the show, he appeared in "Caddyshack," "National Lampoon's Family Vacation," and "Sixteen Candles." The 73-year-old's distinctive voice can also be heard in "Spongebob Squarepants" as the Flying Dutchman and as Captain K'nuckles in "The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack." He currently stars on "Lodge 49."
Don Novello: two seasons (1979-1980, 1985-1986)
Don Novello was a writer on "SNL" for years before appearing on the 1979-1980 season. He left alongside almost the entire cast when creator Lorne Michaels left in the '80s. He returned briefly for the eleventh season.
Novello is most well known for his character Father Guido Sarducci, a chain-smoking priest. Sarducci was a recurring character on "SNL," but Novello also appeared as him in numerous other shows, including "Blossom," "Married... with Children," and "Square Pegs."
The 76-year-old also voiced Vinny Santorini in the 2001 Disney film "Atlantis: The Lost Empire."
Tom Schiller: one season (1979-1980)
Tom Schiller, 70, was a writer on "SNL" for 11 seasons, but only briefly appeared on screen.
He's mainly known for his comedy writing and directing, and even recently wrote for the "SNL" 40th anniversary special. He also directed cult classic "Nothing Lasts Forever," starring fellow alums Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd, in 1984.
Paul Shaffer: one season (1979-1980)
Paul Shaffer was part of the house band from the beginning, but joined as a cast member for just one season, frequently appearing alongside Bill Murray for his "Nick the Lounge Singer" sketch.
Shaffer left in 1980, and subsequently teamed up with late night legend David Letterman. He served as the musical director for "Late Night with David Letterman" for its 11 seasons then the "Late Show with David Letterman" for its 23 seasons.
The 69-year-old has also released multiple albums.
Alan Zweibel: one season (1979-1980)
Alan Zweibel was one of the original writers on the show before transitioning to being a cast member for just one. He only appeared in a few sketches.
The 69-year-old was close friends with Gilda Radner, and even wrote a book about their friendship after she passed away called "Bunny Bunny: Gilda Radner - a Sort of Love Story." It was later adapted into an Off-Broadway play.
Denny Dillon: one season (1980-1981)
Denny Dillon was a Tony-nominated actress before joining "SNL" in 1980, but only lasted for a season on the show. She had a few notable characters, including Valley girl Debbie and a neurotic customer at a hair salon, Nadine.
After leaving, Dillon, 68, starred on HBO comedy "Dream On" for six seasons and voiced various characters on "Courage the Cowardly Dog." Most recently she starred in the short film "Absent Mind."
Gilbert Gottfried: one season (1980-1981)
Gilbert Gottfried is a prolific comedy actor, but he didn't make much of a splash during his one season on "SNL." He only had two celebrity impressions: director Roman Polanski and American politician David A. Stockman. He didn't develop his signature voice until later.
Gottfried still performs stand-up and has hosted a podcast since 2014 called "Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast," in which he reviews classic TV shows and movies and interviews entertainment figures.
The 64-year-old has also voiced many iconic characters including Iago in the movie "Aladdin" (and its subsequent TV series) and Digit in "Cyberchase." He frequently appears on Comedy Central roasts.
Gail Matthius: one season (1980-1981)
Gail Matthius was part of the ill-fated season led by Jean Doumanian from 1980-1981 (after Michaels' departure). She co-hosted "Weekend Update" for a season and originated the Valley girl character Vicki.
Like many of her fellow "SNL" alum, Matthius, 65, turned to voice acting. She participated in animated series like "Snorks," "Tiny Toon Adventures," "Animaniacs," and "Bobby's World," among others. Most recently, she appeared in eight episodes of Sundance TV's "Hap and Leonard."
Eddie Murphy: four seasons (1980-1984)
Eddie Murphy is just one of two cast members that survived the 1980-1981 season, and was the biggest star the show had seen since the original cast. Rolling Stone ranked him as the second-best cast member, only behind John Belushi. He was also only 19 years old when he joined the cast.
He originated iconic characters like Buckwheat, a street-wise spoof of Mr. Rogers called Mr. Robinson, and a more cynical version of Gumby.
While on the show, he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in "Trading Places." After he left, he starred in "Beverly Hills Cop," "Coming to America," "The Nutty Professor," "Mulan," "Shrek" ... the list goes on.
Murphy, 58, was also nominated for an Academy Award for his role in "Dreamgirls." Recently, Murphy appeared in a series of critically panned films including "Norbit," "Daddy Daycare," and "The Adventures of Pluto Nash."
Murphy is set to return to the "SNL" as host in December 2019.
Joe Piscopo: four seasons (1980-1984)
Joe Piscopo was the other cast member to survive the 1980-1981 season, alongside Eddie Murphy. He was best known for his celebrity impressions, including Frank Sinatra, Ronald Reagan, and Leonard Nimoy.
When he left the show, Piscopo, 68, worked sporadically in Hollywood, appearing in show "100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd" and film "Dead Heat." He currently hosts a radio show, "The Joe Piscopo Show," and briefly considered running for governor of New Jersey.
Ann Risley: one season (1980-1981)
Ann Risley only appeared in a few episodes before she was let go from "SNL."
Risley, 70, hasn't appeared on screen since the 1993 TV movie "Jericho Fever." Until recently, she owned and operated an acting school in Arizona called The Studio for Actors.
Charles Rocket: one season (1980-1981)
Charles Rocket hosted "Weekend Update" for his season on the show, and also starred in the Rocket Report sketches, in which he played a man on the street interviewing New Yorkers. It was one of the few praised sketches from that era of the show.
When he left the show, he frequently appeared in TV movies and sitcoms such as "The Home Court," "Cybil," and "The King of Queens." He also played the dad in Halloween classic "Hocus Pocus."
Rocket committed suicide in 2005. He was 56 years old.
Yvonne Hudson: one season (1980-1981)
Yvonne Hudson was an official cast member for only a season, but appeared uncredited through 1984. She was the third black person to be hired on the show, after Garrett Morris and Eddie Murphy, and the first black woman.
She hasn't appeared in anything besides "SNL."
Matthew Laurance: one season (1980-1981)
Matthew Laurance, 69, only appeared in nine episodes of "SNL," and didn't have many memorable characters or impressions.
Over the decades, he's appeared sporadically on TV, including recurring roles on "Beverly Hills 90210" and "One Tree Hill." He starred in the short-lived sitcom "Duet" in the late '80s, and in the cult hit film "Eddie and the Cruisers."
Patrick Weathers: one season (1980-1981)
According to Vulture, Patrick Weathers appeared on just seven episodes of the show. He was a talented musician, though, and his successful sketches hinged on his impressions of Bob Dylan and Ravi Shankar.
"It was a really bad season," he said in 2003.
Weathers, 65, has released three albums and has had bit parts in movies like "Wall Street" and "Grande Isle." He also appeared on New Orleans-based HBO show "Treme," where he also currently resides in real life.
Robin Duke: four seasons (1981-1984)
Before "SNL," Robin Duke appeared on "SCTV," a comedic show about a fictitious news network called Second City TV that starred comedians from the Second City improv troupe. Duke then made the jump to "SNL," and had memorable roles as Mrs. T, the fictional wife of Mr. T, and Wendy Whiner.
The 65-year-old left in 1984 and appeared in films like "Groundhog Day" and "Club Paradise." She currently recurs on "Schitt's Creek" alongside her former "SCTV" co-star Catherine O'Hara.
Tim Kazurinsky: four seasons (1981-1984)
Tim Kazurinsky's most famous character was the pun-loving Dr. Jack Badofsky. He also impersonated celebrities like Ozzy Osbourne and Billie Jean King. He also wrote for the show and was nominated for an Emmy in 1984 alongside the writing team.
Besides "SNL," Kazurinsky, 69, is known for his role in the "Police Academy" franchise and appeared on two episodes of "Chicago Justice."
Tony Rosato: one season (1981-1982)
Tony Rosato starred in "SCTV" then moved to "SNL" alongside Robin Duke. During his time on the show, he impersonated John Belushi, Captain Kangaroo, and William Conrad.
After leaving "SNL," he starred in the '80s crime drama "Night Heat." He also voiced Luigi in various "Super Mario Bros." shows.
In the early 2000s, Rosato was arrested for criminal harassment, according to CBC, after his wife expressed concern about his mental health. He was diagnosed with Capgras delusion, a rare mental illness in which a person believes that others have been replaced by imposters, according to The New York Times.
He was released from a mental hospital in 2009 and resumed acting. He died in 2017 of a heart attack. He was 62.
Laurie Metcalf: one season (1981)
Laurie Metcalf has the distinction of appearing only in a single episode of "SNL" in April 1981, before a writer's strike cut the season short. She did not appear in the next season.
But, of course, it didn't slow down her career. Metcalf, 64, is one of the most accomplished actresses, comedic or otherwise, of her generation. She's been nominated for an Academy Award for her role in "Ladybird," has been nominated for 11 Emmys (winning three) for her roles in "Roseanne," "Getting On," and "The Big Bang Theory," among others, and has won two Tonys. She's also been nominated for three Golden Globes.
In short, Metcalf might be one of the most successful "SNL" "flops."
Emily Prager: one season (1981)
Emily Prager was hired alongside Laurie Metcalf, and was technically never credited on an episode. But she was still hired on the show, and therefore was a cast member, however briefly.
"SNL" was Prager's last on-screen role. She is credited as a writer for a 1992 episode of "Screenplay," an anthology drama series. The 71-year-old has also written novels, a memoir, and became a journalist.
Christine Ebersole: one season (1981-1982)
Christine Ebersole hosted the '80s version of "Weekend Update," then called "SNL Newsbreak." She also impersonated Princess Diana, Mary Travers, and Cheryl Tiegs, among others.
After leaving "SNL," she returned to her soap opera roots and joined the cast of "One Life to Live," and she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy. Ebersole, 66, also appeared in films such as "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Confessions of a Shopaholic," and '80s classic "Tootsie."
She can currently be seen as Lena Janko on "Blue Bloods" and the upcoming Chuck Lorre sitcom "Bob ♡ Abishola."
Mary Gross: four seasons (1981-1985)
Mary Gross hosted "Weekend Update" during her first season of the show, but quickly transitioned to other roles. She, alongside the rest of the '85 cast, left when executive producer Dick Ebersol was replaced by original creator Lorne Michaels.
Gross, 66, worked steadily after her departure, but hasn't appeared on screen since a 2012 episode of "Raising Hope." She appeared on her "SNL" co-star Julia Louis-Dreyfus' sitcom "The New Adventures of Old Christine" for an episode, as well as episodes of "Hart of Dixie," "Life," and "Boston Legal."
Brad Hall: two seasons (1982-1984)
Brad Hall's tenure on "SNL" is memorable for his stint as "Weekend Update" host. He did, however, co-star with his future wife, Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The two were college sweethearts, and joined the show together.
Now, Hall, 61, is mainly known as a writer and producer. He created the sitcoms "Watching Ellie" and "The Single Guy," in addition to writing and producing "Brooklyn Bridge," which earned him an Emmy nom and won a Golden Globe.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus: three seasons (1982-1985)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus was just 21 when she joined the cast of "SNL," making her, at the time, the youngest female cast member ever. Her recurring characters included superhero Weather Woman, and Patti Lynn Hunnsucker, a teenage "Weekend Update" correspondent. However, she has said she was "pretty miserable" on the show.
Of course, Louis-Dreyfus, 58, left the show and made a name for herself with iconic roles as Elaine in "Seinfeld," Christine in "The New Adventures of Old Christine," and as Selina Meyer in the recently wrapped "Veep."
"Veep" earned Louis-Dreyfus a record-breaking six consecutive Emmy wins, and she's looking to net her seventh this year. In total, she's received 11 Emmy wins, making her the most awarded performer in history.
Gary Kroeger: three seasons (1982-1985)
Gary Kroeger's most famous sketch was when he played the Donny Osmond to Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Marie, which began with the two siblings singing, and ended with them making out.
After he left with the rest of his season's cast, Kroeger has sporadically acted, and hosted multiple game shows including "The Newlywed Game," "Whammy!," and "Beat the Clock."
The 62-year-old announced his candidacy to represent Iowa's 1st district in the state's Congress. He was defeated.
Jim Belushi: two seasons (1983-1985)
Jim Belushi began working at "SNL" a few months after his older brother, John, died. As such, he had a hard time stepping out from behind his big brother's enormous shadow, and was only on the show for two seasons.
Belushi's had a much more successful career post-"SNL," and the 65-year-old frequently worked on animated series. He's voiced characters in "Pinky and the Brain," "Aaahh!!! Real Monsters," and "Hey Arnold," among many others. He also starred in all eight seasons of the ABC sitcom "According to Jim" from 2000 to 2009.
Billy Crystal: one season (1984-1985)
Billy Crystal was already a successful comedian by the time he got to "SNL," and had hosted both his own variety show, "The Billy Crystal Comedy Hour," and two prior episodes of "Saturday Night Live" before he joined the cast. His most famous character was his impression of actor Fernando Lamas, reimagined as a smarmy talk show host. Crystal even recorded a single in character, called "You Look Marvelous," which made it onto the Billboard Hot 100.
Crystal left after just one season, and subsequently became a huge movie star. Among his most famous roles are Harry in "When Harry Met Sally...," Miracle Max in "The Princess Bride," and the voice of Mike Wazowski in the "Monsters Inc." films.
The 71-year-old has also hosted the Oscars nine times: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004, and 2012.
Christopher Guest: one season (1984-1985)
Christopher Guest, 71, also had a thriving comedy career when he was hired on a one-season contract for "SNL." A year prior to his start, he had starred in and co-wrote "This Is Spinal Tap." Guest created a few famous characters during his season, including a pain-obsessed night watchman Frankie, and briefly hosted "Saturday Night News," the renamed "Weekend Update." He also starred in and directed a few short films that aired during the show.
After his contract ended, Guest returned to the movies and starred in "The Princess Bride," "Waiting for Guffman," (which he wrote and directed as well), and "A Few Good Men."
Most recently, he wrote and directed the Netflix mockumentary "Mascots." He's also been married to Jamie Lee Curtis since 1984.
Rich Hall: one season (1984-1985)
Rich Hall, 65, was yet another comedian that had a career before he was brought on, essentially as a ringer, for a season on "SNL." He had written and appeared on satirical news show "Not Necessarily the News" for a few seasons, popularizing the term "sniglet," before making the jump to "SNL." During his stint, he impersonated David Byrne and Doug Henning, and hosted the "Saturday Night News."
Hall has found a lot of success across the pond in England. He frequently appeared on the quiz shows "Never Mind the Buzzcocks," "Spicks and Specks," and "Have I Got News For You." He's also written multiple TV documentaries and starred in comedy specials.
Besides that, Hall also created a country music character, Otis Lee Crenshaw, who, according to the BBC, "conforms to the worst stereotypes of American trash." As Crenshaw, he recorded two albums.
Martin Short: one season (1984-1985)
Before Martin Short made his debut on "SNL," he had starred on sketch show "SCTV" for a season. He created many memorable characters during his days on "SNL," most notably neurotic nerd Ed Grimley, and impersonated celebrities like Jerry Lewis and Katharine Hepburn.
The 69-year-old went on to have a long and prolific career in comedy and show business. He starred in "Three Amigos," "Father of the Bride," and "Three Fugitives" during the '80s and '90s. He also won a Tony in 1999.
Recently, Short appeared in "Hairspray Live," "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," and starred in a Netflix special alongside frequent collaborator Steve Martin entitled "Steve Martin and Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget for the Rest of Your Life."
Pamela Stephenson: one season (1984-1985)
Pamela Stephenson, 69, was born in New Zealand, and had appeared in a few Australian soaps and "Superman III" before joining the cast in 1984 as the first woman born outside of North America in the show's history. She impersonated '80s musicians like Madonna, Cyndi Lauper, and Billy Idol.
She left after one season, and continued acting while also becoming a psychologist. In the '90s, she hosted Australian talk show, "Sex," and had her last acting credit on an episode of "Columbo."
In recent years, Stephenson came in third on the 2010 season of "Strictly Come Dancing," the UK version of "Dancing with the Stars," and still practices as a clinical psychologist.
Joan Cusack: one season (1985-1986)
While she's since become an A-list actress, Joan Cusack didn't make a huge impression on "SNL" and only lasted for one season.
But two years after her departure, she earned an Academy Award nomination for her role in "Working Girl," and her movie career took off from there. The 56-year-old appeared alongside her brother in "Say Anything...," "Grosse Point Blank," and "High Fidelity." In 1997, she was nominated for her second Academy Award for "In & Out."
Recently, Cusack was nominated for five Emmys, winning one, for her role as Sheila in "Shameless," and reprised her role of Jessie in "Toy Story 4."
Robert Downey Jr.: one season (1985-1986)
Robert Downey Jr. was only 20 years old when he began starring on "SNL." Rolling Stone put him at the bottom of their ranking, saying "Robert Downey Jr. is a comic genius. Making him unfunny stands as 'SNL's' most towering achievement in terms of sucking."
Luckily, his season didn't cut his career short. After he was let go from the show, he starred in iconic '80s films such as "Weird Science" and "Less Than Zero."
Downey, 54, was nominated for an Oscar in 1993 for his role as Charlie Chaplin in the biopic "Chaplin." But the '90s would be the beginning of years of personal struggle, jail time, drug addiction, and alcoholism for the actor that took over a decade to kick for good.
Of course, Downey is now best known for playing Tony Stark/Iron Man and kicking off the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008. It's now produced multiple billion-dollar films, and he is considered the godfather of the franchise.
Nora Dunn: five seasons (1985-1990)
Nora Dunn, 67, was one of five cast members from the 1985-1986 season to make it through to the next season, and she stayed with the show for four more. During her tenure, she created characters such as talk show host Pat Stevens, French prostitute Babette, and impersonated celebrities like Catherine Deneuve, Liza Minnelli, and Joan Baez.
Dunn later called the show "a traumatic experience," according to Salon.
After she left, she appeared in sitcoms such as "Sisters," "The Nanny," and more recently, "New Girl" and "Entourage." She also starred in the '90s cult classic film "Drop Dead Gorgeous."
Anthony Michael Hall: one season (1985-1986)
Fresh off his geeky roles in "Weird Science," "The Breakfast Club" and "Sixteen Candles," a 17-year-old Anthony Michael Hall joined the cast of "SNL" to avoid getting typecast. He was, and still is, the youngest cast member in the show's 44 seasons.
Hall's lone season was a critical and commercial failure, and so he along with most of the cast was let go. He continued to go out for roles against type in films such as "Edward Scissorhands," "Out of Bounds," and "Six Degrees of Separation."
More recently, the 51-year-old starred in "The Dead Zone" for six seasons on the USA Network. When it premiered in 2002, it earned the network its best series premiere numbers ever.
In 2019, Hall appeared on an episode of "Riverdale" that directly referenced "The Breakfast Club" and played an evil principal similar to the one from the '80s classic.
Jon Lovitz: five seasons (1985-1990)
Jon Lovitz, 62, was one of the few cast members that survived his first season. He continued to thrive on the show and was nominated for two Emmys. He became known for his "lovable jerk" characters like "Tommy Flanagan, the Pathological Liar," as well as his impressions of Michael Dukakis and Harvey Fierstein.
But for Jewish kids everywhere, Lovitz is most famous for the creation of Hanukkah Harry, who was supposed to be the Jewish equivalent of Santa Claus.
After leaving the show, Lovitz voiced the main character on the animated show "The Critic," and lent his voice to "The Brave Little Toaster" franchise as the Radio.
Lovitz also does stand-up and opened the Jon Lovitz Comedy Club & Podcast Theatre in 2009. It closed in 2014.
Dennis Miller: six seasons (1985-1991)
Dennis Miller is mainly known for his tenure behind the "Weekend Update" desk, which he sat at during all six seasons to great acclaim. Vulture ranked him the No. 1 "Weekend Update" host of all time.
He left the show after six seasons because he wanted a change, and because he wanted to make his son proud, according to the Chicago Tribune. He went on to host his own late night talk show, "The Dennis Miller Show," which only lasted seven months and was canceled in July 1992.
Two years later he began hosting "Dennis Miller Live" on HBO, which lasted nine years and earned him five Emmys. In 2004, he hosted another show on CNBC entitled "Dennis Miller" that lasted for a year and a half.
Miller, 65, is still a regular TV fixture. He appears on Fox News, late night talk shows, and stars in comedy specials like 2018's "Dennis Miller: Fake News - Real Jokes."
Randy Quaid: one season (1985-1986)
Randy Quaid, the older brother of Dennis Quaid, was already an accomplished actor before he joined the cast of "SNL" in 1985. He had been nominated for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA for his role in 1973's "The Last Detail."
He only lasted for a season on "SNL," when he was part of the ill-fated 1985-1986 season. After the show, Quaid almost immediately starred in the TV movie "LBJ: The Early Years" as President Lyndon B. Johnson, which he won a Golden Globe for.
Quaid, 68, continued to act in both serious and comedic films, ranging from "National Lampoon's Family Vacation" to "Brokeback Mountain" to "Independence Day."
Recently, Quaid has encountered legal troubles, according to The Telegraph, and taken a break from acting.
Terry Sweeney: one season (1985-1986)
When Terry Sweeney was hired in 1985, he became both the show's first openly gay cast member and the first openly gay regular cast member on TV ever. He became known for his flamboyant impressions of female celebrities such as Joan Rivers and Nancy Reagan.
The now 68-year-old was let go with most of the cast after that season, and has sporadically acted since, appearing in one-off episodes of "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" and "Family Matters." He will appear in the upcoming Netflix series "The Politician" and also wrote for two seasons of "MADtv."
Danitra Vance: one season (1985-1986)
Vance became the second-ever black female cast member on "SNL" when she joined in 1985, and like her predecessor, Yvonne Hudson, she only lasted a season. "SNL" hasn't had the best track record when it comes to race, and it's especially telling that Vance's main recurring character was an actress named "That Black Girl" that was constantly getting passed over for parts due to her race.
After leaving the show, she appeared in comedies such as "Limit Up" and "The War of the Roses," as well as the dramatic film "Jumpin' at the Boneyard." Vance died in August 1994 after battling breast cancer. She was 40 years old.
A. Whitney Brown: six seasons (1986-1991)
A. Whitney Brown was both a writer and performer on "SNL" during his time on the show, and is known for his "Weekend Update" bit called "The Big Picture."
After leaving the show, Brown published a book based on the segment called "The Big Picture: An American Commentary." He also began appearing as himself as a correspondent on "The Daily Show" from 1996 to 1998, which is where his on-screen career ended.
The 67-year-old is still politically active and blogs for the Daily Kos.
Dan Vitale: one season (1985-1986)
Dan Vitale only appeared on one season of "SNL" and, as Vulture writes, "stands invisible as the most forgotten player."
He's barely had any parts since his stint on the show, and mainly stuck to the New York stand-up circuit. Vitale resurfaced for an episode of Marc Maron's "WTF" podcast, where he discussed his career's trajectory.
Damon Wayans: one season (1985-1986)
Damon Wayans was only on "SNL" for a single season before getting fired for deliberately disobeying Lorne Michaels, but it was clear that his talents weren't getting used in the best way. He moved on to work at his brother's sketch comedy show "In Living Color" and remained there as a writer and performer for its first three seasons.
Now, the Wayans family is a Hollywood dynasty with his brothers, sister, son, nieces, and nephews all becoming successful actors, writers, and producers. Wayans, 58, starred in his own 2000s sitcom "My Wife and Kids," and starred in the 2016 TV reboot of "Lethal Weapon" for three seasons before announcing his departure in October 2018.
Dana Carvey: seven seasons (1986-1993)
During his time on the show, Dana Carvey was nominated for five Emmys, winning one. Carvey had a murderer's row of characters and impressions, from the Church Lady, Garth of "Wayne's World," President George H.W. Bush, and his co-star Dennis Miller, among many others.
After leaving the show in 1993, Carvey starred in both of the "Wayne's World" movies and in his own short-lived show called "The Dana Carvey Show," which has been credited with giving Steve Carrell and Stephen Colbert their first exposure to audiences.
Carvey, 64, starred in the 2002 film "Master of Disguise," and then took a break from Hollywood, citing the desire to spend time with his family. He returned eight years later to do voice acting for both "Secret Life of Pets" films and shows such as "Rick and Morty." Carvey also released a stand-up special in 2016, "Dana Carvey: Straight White Male, 60."
Phil Hartman: eight seasons (1986-1994)
Phil Hartman's comedic legacy began before he joined "SNL" - he helped co-create the iconic character Pee-wee Herman. He wrote on Pee-wee's original special in 1981, as well as his HBO show and movie.
Once he joined, though, Hartman solidified his place in comedy history. Over the course of his eight seasons on the show, he created multiple iconic characters such as Eugene the Anal Retentive Chef and the Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer, as well as doing his spot-on impressions of Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, and Frank Sinatra.
His friend and co-star Kevin Nealon told Grantland that Hartman's "nickname was Glue because he held all the sketches together."
In 1995, Hartman began starring in the sitcom "NewsRadio." In 1998, he was found dead in his apartment of a gunshot wound alongside his wife in an apparent murder-suicide, according to Rolling Stone. He was 49.
Jan Hooks: five seasons (1986-1991)
As Grantland wrote, Jan Hooks became famous for "her comic timing and crackling impersonations of Tammy Faye Bakker, Nancy Reagan, and Kathie Lee Gifford, to name just a few." She was also one-half of the sisters duo "The Sweeney Sisters."
After leaving the show, she appeared on sitcoms such as "3rd Rock from the Sun" and "Primetime Glick," as well as lending her voice to "The Simpsons" as Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon.
Hooks passed away in October 2014 having been diagnosed with throat cancer. She was 57.
Victoria Jackson: six seasons (1986-1992)
Victoria Jackson joined the show in 1986 and quickly became known for her impressions of Christina Applegate, Cyndi Lauper, and Roseanne Barr.
Jackson, 59, appeared in multiple films during her tenure on the show, including "UHF," "The Pick-up Artist," and "Family Business," but didn't find as much success after she left in 1992. She has mainly appeared in low-budget films such as "Heaven Bound," "The Journey," and "Saving Faith."
In 2008, Jackson became a vocal supporter of the Tea Party movement, and published a memoir in 2012 entitled "Is My Bow Too Big? How I went from 'Saturday Night Live' to the Tea Party."
Kevin Nealon: nine seasons (1986-1995)
For four years of his "SNL" tenure, Kevin Nealon hosted "Weekend Update." He also had several recurring characters such as Mr. Subliminal and Gannon PIPI. When he left after his ninth season, he had become the cast member with the longest run on the show (he would later be surpassed).
After leaving, Nealon, 65, steadily worked in both movies and TV shows until he began starring on "Weeds." He appeared in all eight seasons. He also starred in the stop-motion animated series "Glen Martin, DDS," and was most recently seen on the CBS sitcom "Man with a Plan."
Nealon now hosts a YouTube series "Hiking with Kevin" where he goes on hikes with celebrities, like Lisa Kudrow and Lin Manuel-Miranda.
Ben Stiller: one season (1989)
Ben Stiller only appeared in four episodes of "SNL" before leaving to create his own show, aptly titled "The Ben Stiller Show," which lasted for one season on MTV and one season on Fox. Though it bombed ratings-wise, it was critically adored and won an Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Show. It kick-started the careers of beloved comedians like Bob Odenkirk, Janeane Garofalo, and Judd Apatow.
Now, the 53-year-old is an A-lister. He's starred in a plethora of films, including but not limited to "Something About Mary," "Meet the Parents" and its sequels, "Zoolander" and its sequel, "Dodgeball," and the "Night at the Museum" trilogy.
Most recently, he's returned to "SNL" to play former President Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.
Mike Myers: seven seasons (1989-1995)
Mike Myers, 56, joined the cast in 1989 and created some notable characters on the show. But his most recognizable character is Wayne Campbell of "Wayne's World," which became a popular movie of the same name in 1992.
After Myers left "SNL," he created the "Austin Powers" franchise and went on to voice "Shrek." Most recently, he has appeared in the Oscar-nominated movie "Bohemian Rhapsody" and was the host of "The Gong Show."
Chris Rock: three seasons (1990-1993)
In 1990, Chris Rock joined "SNL" and made a name for himself with his first breakout character, Onski, who hosted "I'm Chillin." Chris Rock left the show to join the cast of "Living in Color" and would later sing about being fired from "SNL" on an appearance on the show.
The 54-year-old found success with his sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris," which he co-created and narrated, and films like "Grown Ups," the "Madagascar" franchise, and "I Think I Love My Wife." Most recently, he starred alongside fellow "SNL" alum Adam Sandler in the Netflix movie "The Week Of."
Rob Schneider: four seasons (1990-1994)
Rob Schneider, 55, became a full-time cast member in 1990. He is well known for his portrayal of Richard Laymer, an office employee who sat next to the copier. The Sensitive Naked Man and Carlo are other popular, recurring characters that Schneider played.
Since then Schneider appeared and starred in a number of films including "The Hot Chick," "Grown Ups," "The Benchwarmers," and "50 First Dates." Most recently, he starred in his own Netflix show, "Real Rob."
His daughter, Elle King, is a successful musician and has been nominated for two Grammys.
Julia Sweeney: four seasons (1990-1994)
Julia Sweeney, 59, joined the cast in 1990 and became famous for her character Pat. In the Pat sketches, most of the jokes involved the character's ambiguous gender. Since then, Sweeney has been criticized for the character's offensive take on the trans community, according to The Wrap. While on the show, Sweeney also became known for her controversial impersonation of Chelsea Clinton.
Since leaving "SNL," Sweeney appeared in sitcoms like "Frasier," "Sex and the City," and "Family Guy." Most recently, she appeared in the Hulu show "Shrill."
Chris Farley: five seasons (1990-1995)
In 1990, Chris Farley joined the show and made a name for himself playing a Chippendales dancer opposite Patrick Swayze. He also played a motivational speaker named Matt Foley and the host of the "The Chris Farley Show" sketches. Farley was also known for his physical comedy on the show.
He also had a successful film career outside of "SNL," appearing in "Wayne's World," "Coneheads," and "Billy Madison."
Sadly, in 1997, Farley died of an overdose of cocaine and morphine. He was 33.
David Spade: six seasons (1990–1996)
David Spade's biggest characters on the show included the "Total Bastard Airlines Steward" and Christy Henderson. He also did impressions of Brad Pitt and Michael J. Fox. While on the show, he also starred alongside Chris Farley in the 1995 film "Tommy Boy" (which Lorne Michaels produced).
Since leaving "SNL," Spade has appeared in various movies and TV shows like "Grown Ups," "Rules of Engagement," and "Roadies." He also had a role in the sitcom "Just Shoot Me" from 1997 to 2003. Most recently, he was in the Netflix film "Father of the Year."
The 55-year-old has also written two books: "Almost Interesting" and "A Polaroid Guy in a Snapchat World."
Beth Cahill: one season (1991–1992)
Beth Cahill, 55, was only on "SNL" for one season and played two characters: Denise Swerski and sorority girl Pam. She also impersonated Pam Hurn, wife of TV legend Ed McMahon.
Since then, Cahill has had small roles on TV shows like "Drunk History," "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place," "Biatches," and "Review." Today, she is also a dress designer who has sold her designs to Amy Sedaris and Ricki Lake.
Siobhan Fallon Hogan: one season (1991–1992)
Siobhan Fallon Hogan, 58, joined the show in 1991 and only stayed for one season. She played characters named Christy and Meg, while also impersonating Katharine Hepburn.
After "SNL," Fallon appeared in teen movies and shows like "Fred." She also had roles in "Forrest Gump," "Funny Games," "Men in Black," "Holes," and "Daddy Daycare."
Melanie Hutsell: three seasons (1991–1994)
Over the course of her time on the show, Melanie Hutsell, 50, became famous for her portrayal of Jan Brady from "The Brady Bunch." She also impersonated Tonya Harding, Tori Spelling, and Mayim Bialik. Hutsell also played sorority girl Di in the "Delta Delta Delta" sketches.
Hutsell has since appeared in "Bridesmaids" with fellow "SNL" alum Kristen Wiig. She's also made appearances in "Transparent," "Fresh off the Boat," and "Lady Dynamite."
Ellen Cleghorne: four seasons (1991–1995)
Ellen Cleghorne, 53, was the first black woman on "SNL" to stay longer than one season. During her time, she impersonated Anita Hill, Patti LaBelle, and Tina Turner. She also became known for her characters Queen Shenequa and an NBC Page named Zoraida.
After leaving the show, Cleghorne appeared in "Coyote Ugly," Little Nicky," "Grown Ups 2," and "aka Wyatt Cenac." Most recently, she was seen in Jennifer Lopez's 2018 movie "Second Act."
Adam Sandler: five seasons (1991–1995)
Adam Sandler, 52, joined the cast in 1991 and created many memorable characters, including Opera Man, Canteen Boy, and Cajun Man. He also introduced the immediate holiday hit the Hannukah song. He was fired from the show in 1995, however, alongside many of his co-stars.
"We kind of quit at the same time as being fired," Adam Sandler told The Daily Beast in 2014.
"It hurt a lot at the time," he added, "because we were young and didn't know where we were going, but it all worked out."
While still on the show, he starred in the iconic film "Billy Madison." After leaving , Sandler starred in a number of other popular movies, including "Happy Gilmore," "Waterboy," "The Wedding Singer," "Big Daddy," "Little Nicky," "Mr. Deeds," "Eight Crazy Nights," and "Click."
Recently, he signed two deals with Netflix to produce and star in eight movies altogether for the streaming service. One of those movies, "Murder Mystery," had 30.9 million viewers in just three days, breaking streaming records, according to Variety.
He also returned to "SNL" for the first time in 2019 to host, and was subsequently nominated for an Emmy.
Tim Meadows: ten seasons (1991–2000)
Tim Meadows, 58, is one of the longest-running cast-members, lasting for 10 seasons on the show. During his time, he impersonated O.J. Simpson, Cuba Gooding Jr., Dennis Rodman, Ike Turner, Lenny Kravitz, RuPaul, and even Oprah. He also developed the character Leon Phelps, who hosted a talk show.
Since leaving the show, Meadows appeared in "Mean Girls" alongside fellow "SNL" alum Tina Fey. He also has recurring characters on "The Goldbergs" and " Brooklyn Nine-Nine."
Sarah Silverman: one season (1993-1994)
Sarah Silverman, 48, was a writer and a performer on the show but lasted only one season. She impersonated Cher, Joan Rivers, and Marisa Tomei during her time. After her first season, she was famously fired via fax. But she quickly returned to stand up comedy and made a name for herself outside of "SNL."
Since then, she has appeared in "Masters of Sex," "Bob's Burger's," and "The Simpsons."
In 2014, she won an Emmy for "Outstanding Writing For a Variety Special" for her stand up special "We Are Miracles." More recently, she started her own talk show on Hulu called "I Love You America," which was nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Variety Sketch Series" two years in a row. The show was canceled in 2018.
Jay Mohr: two seasons (1993–1995)
In Jay Mohr's short time on "SNL," he struggled to find himself a recurring character that connected with the audience. However, he did have a successful impersonation of Christopher Walken, and he appeared in "Wayne's World," "The Denise Show," and "Canteen Boy" sketches. In his memoir, "Gasping For Airtime," Mohr explains how he was riddled with anxiety and panic attacks during his time on the show.
After leaving, the 48-year-old continued acting, appearing in a number of TV shows, including "Ghost Whisperer," "Law and Order," "CSI," "The West Wing," "American Housewife," and "Family Guy." He also starred alongside Jennifer Aniston in the 1997 film "Picture Perfect."
Mohr has also turned into a life coach. On his website, he writes, "I am an intuitive. It's like a psychic but real. Together we find the places you are blocking yourself because of your past conditioning and history."
Norm MacDonald: five seasons (1993–1998)
Norm MacDonald, 59, became famous for his impersonations on "SNL" which include Burt Reynolds, Clint Eastwood, David Letterman, Larry King, Quentin Tarantino, and Tommy Lee. MacDonald was also the "Weekend Update" host from 1994 to 1997. In fact, Entertainment Weekly called MacDonald the best "Weekend Update" host in the show's history.
Since then, MacDonald has appeared on "Girlboss," "The Middle," "Sunnyside," and "Family Guy." Most recently, he had a role in "The Orville" with Seth MacFarlane.
In 2018, his talk show "Norm MacDonald Has a Show" premiered on Netflix. At the same time, he caught some heat for insensitive comments about the #MeToo movement, according to Variety.
Chris Elliott: one season (1994–1995)
Chris Elliot, 59, had a short-lived career on "SNL" in the '90s, creating characters like D. Josh Levine. After his stint on the show, he went on to play iconic roles in "There's Something About Mary" and "Scary Movie 2."
He also became a regular performer on "Late Show with David Letterman" and has appeared on "Everybody Loves Raymond," "King of the Hill," and "How I Met Your Mother."
Currently, he has a recurring role in "Schitt's Creek," which was nominated for "Best Comedy Series" at the 2019 Emmys.
Janeane Garofalo: one season (1994–1995)
During Janeane Garofalo's short stint on "SNL," she impersonated Hillary Clinton, Jodie Foster, and Martha Stewart. But she left the show after just a few months, saying it was "the most miserable experience of my life."
She went on to become a major comedy star, starring in "The Truth About Cats and Dogs," "Reality Bites," "Now and Then," and "Dogma."
Most recently, Garofalo, 54, could be seen in TV shows "Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later," "Broad City," and "Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce."
Laura Kightlinger: one season (1994–1995)
For the one season Laura Kightlinger, 50, was on "SNL," she impersonated Connie Chung, Mary Hart, and Marcia Clark.
After the show, she went on to become a successful TV writer and producer. She was a producer and writer for "Will & Grace" and appeared as Nurse Sheila on the show. She has reprised the role in the "Will & Grace" reboot.
Michael McKean: two seasons (1994–1995)
Michael McKean, 71, joined the cast in 1994, and during his time impersonated Bill Clinton, Elvis Costello, and Howard Stone. He's also known for his original characters Anthony the weatherman and Mr. Vonucci.
Since leaving the show in 1995, McKean has appeared in "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Smallville," and "Drunk History."
Most recently, he is a series regular on AMC's "Better Call Saul," for which he earned an Emmy nomination in 2019.
Morwenna Banks: one season (1995)
Morwenna Banks, 57, joined the show in 1995 for only four episodes. Since then, she has done a lot of work as a voice actress. Most notably, she currently voices several characters on the popular children's show "Peppa Pig." She also impersonates Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Susan Boyle for BBC Comedy.
David Koechner: one season (1995–1996)
Although David Koechner was only on "SNL" for one season, Paste Magazine said he made the most of his time. For example, he created the Drunk Salesman character and the character Gary MacDonald.
Since leaving the show, Koechner has had recurring roles on "Twin Peaks," "The Office," "American Dad!" and "The Goldbergs." He is also well known for his role in the "Anchorman" movies.
Most recently, he played Mr. Meaner in the "Epic Tales of Captain underpants" TV series.
Nancy Carrell (then Walls): one season (1995–1996)
Nancy Walls, 53, appeared on "SNL" for one season where she became known for her impersonation of CNN host Bobbie Battista.
She later became a correspondent on "The Daily Show" and has appeared in "Bridesmaids" and "The Office." She also created the TBS show "Angie Tribeca" with her husband Steve Carell.
Mark McKinney: three seasons (1995–1997)
Over the course of Mark McKinney's three seasons, he created a long list of characters and impersonations. Among his most memorable characters is Melanie, a Catholic schoolgirl. McKinney also impersonated Mel Gibson, Wolf Blitzer, Mark Russell, Jim Carrey, Al Gore, Bill Gates, Charlie Rose, and even Ellen DeGeneres.
After the show, McKinney, 60, appeared in several "SNL" spinoff movies like "A Night at the Roxbury" and "Superstar." In the '90s, he also appeared in the Spice Girls' movie "Spice World."
He is currently playing Glenn on NBC's "Superstore."
Jim Breuer: three seasons (1995–1998)
Jim Breuer, 52, entered "SNL" in 1995 and created his famous Goat Boy character. He also impersonated Joe Pesci, Matt LeBlanc, Stephen Hawking, and Rupert Murdoch.
After Breuer left the show, he became known for his role in the stoner film "Half Baked." Since then, he has focused on his stand-up career, producing several Comedy Central specials. He now hosts a podcast called the "Jim Breuer Podcast" and is on tour around the US.
Cheri Oteri: five seasons (1995–2000)
Cheri Oteri, 56, spent five years at "SNL," and during that time created several memorable characters, including cheerleader Arianna, hyper kid Althea McMenamin, and Mickey the Dyke. Oteri also impersonated Melissa Rivers, Mariah Carey, Katie Couric, and Kathie Lee Gifford.
Immediately after "SNL," she scored parts in "Scary Movie," "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd," and "Southland Taleslanded." She then shifted to voice acting, lending her voice to "Shrek the Third" and "Glenn Martin DDS." Most recently, she lent her voice to Disney's "Puppy Dog Pals" and appeared on the final season of "Crazy Ex-Girlfriend."
Molly Shannon: seven seasons (1995–2001)
During her seven years on "SNL," Molly Shannon had many memorable moments, but the one that stands out the most is her character Mary Katherine Gallagher. Mary was an overly enthusiastic Catholic school girl who loved the choir and plays. Shannon even starred in the "SNL" spinoff movie, "Superstar," as Mary. The comedian also impersonated Angelina Jolie, Anna Nicole Smith, Bjork, Cate Blanchett, Janis Joplin, and Minnie Driver.
After leaving "SNL," the 54-year-old went on to appear in a number of movies and TV shows. In the early 2000s, she appeared in "Never Been Kissed," "Wet Hot American Summer," "Serendipity," "Glee," and "Bad Teacher."
Today, she plays the mom in "The Other Two," a sitcom created by two former "SNL" head writers. She also plays Diane in the HBO show "Divorce."
Will Ferrell: seven seasons (1995–2002)
Will Ferrell, 52, joined the show in 1995 and quickly created a list of memorable characters. Craig Buchanan, a male cheerleader, became a crowd favorite. Gene Frenckle also became a popular character in the "more cowbell" sketches. Ferrell's impersonation of George W. Bush became a staple on the series, including his impersonations of Al Gore, Alex Trebek, Dr. Phil, and Elton John.
After leaving the show, Ferrell starred in a number of blockbuster comedies, including "Step Brothers," "Austin Powers," "Elf," "Zoolander," "Anchorman," "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," and "Blades of Glory."
He also created the comedy site Funny or Die with his writing partner Adam McKay in 2007.
Most recently, in 2019, Ferrell lent his voice to "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part." He has also recently produced "Booksmart," "Ibiza," and "Hustlers."
Darrell Hammond: 14 seasons (1995–2009)
Darrell Hammond, 63, had one of the longest runs on "SNL." Over the course of his 14 seasons, he became known as a master impressionist. He portrayed Al Gore, Sean Connery, Bill Clinton, Dick Cheney, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Rudy Giuliani, and even Walt Disney.
He also famously impersonated Donald Trump, and while many expected him to return to the show to reprise his impression after Trump was elected, producer Lorne Michaels went with Alec Baldwin's version of the president.
"I was in shock, and I stayed in shock for a long time," Hammond told the Post when he learned he would not be playing President Trump. "Everything wiped out. The brand, me, what I do. Corporate appearances canceled. It was a hell of a shock, and all of it was apparent to me in one breath. That ends me."
Since the show, Hammond has become a New York Times Bestselling author with "God, If You're Not Up There..." He has also returned to "SNL" to become the show's announcer after longtime announcer Don Pardo passed away in 2014.
Fred Wolf: two seasons (1995–1996)
Fred Wolf became a writer at "SNL" in 1991 and eventually became a co-head writer in 1995. That same year, he also became a cast member. After making the switch, he quit the show and worked with his "SNL" friends on a number of movies like "Grown Ups," "Black Sheep," and "Tommy Boy."
Most recently, Wolf, 54, wrote and directed "Drunk Parents," starring Alec Baldwin and Salma Hayek.
Colin Quinn: five seasons (1996–2000)
In 1996, Colin Quinn, 60, joined the cast of "SNL." In five years, Quinn created the Lenny the Lion character, along with impressions of Elvis Costello and Robert De Niro.
Since leaving the show, Quinn turned to stand up comedy, creating a number of specials for HBO and Netflix. He was also featured in movies like "A Night at the Roxbury," "Grown Ups," and "Trainwreck."
His most recent stand up special premiered in 2019 on CNN entitled "Red State Blue State."
Ana Gasteyer: six seasons (1996–2002)
After joining the show in 1996, Ana Gasteyer created memorable characters that connected with the like Gayle Gleason in the "Pretty Living" sketches or Margaret Jo McCullin in the "NPR's Delicious Dish" sketches. The "Delicious Dish" sketch is where the phrase "schweddy balls" comes from, and has since entered our national lexicon. There's even a Ben & Jerry's flavor!
Gasteyer, 52, also impersonated Celine Dion, Diane Sawyer, and Barbara Streisand.
After the show, she shifted to musical theater, appearing on Broadway in "Wicked" and "Rocky Horror." Additionally, Gasteyer recently released a "Moxie Jazz" album and holds several concerts throughout the year.
But she hasn't left the acting world behind completely. She's recently appeared on "The Goldbergs" and the Netflix movie "Wine Country," which features a long list of "SNL" alums.
Chris Kattan: eight seasons (1996–2003)
Chris Kattan, 48, is most known for his head-thumping, nightclub-loving character, Doug Butabi, who Kattan played opposite Will Ferrell. The two actors took the characters and created a successful "SNL" spinoff movie called "A Night at the Roxbury." Kattan also played other characters, including Gay Hitler and goth Azrael Abyss.
Since then, Kattan has written a book about his experiences on "SNL," entitled "Baby Don't Hurt Me," which just came out in 2019. He is also touring as a stand-up act.
Tracy Morgan: seven seasons (1996–2003)
Tracy Morgan, 50, performed on "SNL" from 1996 to 2003, and during that time, he created famous characters including Astronaut Jones, Safari Jones, and Bishop Don "Mack" Donald. Morgan also impersonated Aretha Franklin, Joe Jackson, and Samuel L. Jackson.
When he left the show, Morgan starred in the NBC comedy "30 Rock" alongside fellow "SNL" alum Tina Fey until 2013. He's also been in a number of movies, including "Death at a Funeral," "What Men Want," and "The Night Before."
In 2014, Morgan was in a serious car accident when a Wal-Mart truck rear-ended his limo. He suffered life-threatening injuries but made a full recovery 16 months later. He then returned to the "SNL" stage to host.
"I'm back. It feels so good to be here. You may have seen on the news I was in a terrible car accident a year ago. It was awful. But it also showed me how much love and support I have in this world," Morgan said during the live show.
Today, he is starring in his own sitcom on TBS titled "The Last O.G."
Jimmy Fallon: six seasons (1998–2004)
Jimmy Fallon, 44, was a cast member from 1998 to 2004. During that time, he became known for breaking character in sketches. He'd often be caught smirking or laughing on the live show. Fallon almost always broke during the cowbell sketches and can be seen laughing in the famous "Debbie Downer" sketch. Additionally, he was known for his impersonations, which included Adam Sandler, Carson Daly, Justin Timberlake, and Hilary Swank.
Fallon also hosted "Weekend Update" with Tina Fey from 2000 to 2004.
After leaving "SNL," he starred in a number of movies, including "Taxi" with Queen Latifah and "Fever Pitch" with Drew Barrymore.
In 2008, however, he returned to NBC to start "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon." Just a few years later, in 2013, Fallon was offered to host "The Tonight Show," which he still hosts today. He also hosted the Golden Globes in 2017.
Chris Parnell: eight seasons (1998–2006)
Chris Parnell, 52, was fired twice from "SNL." In 2001, he was let go because of budget cuts but was rehired the same year. In 2006, he was let go again for the same reason. Despite the tumultuous journey, Parnell had memorable characters on the show, including Merv the Perv Watson and Alan "Sticks" McRae. He was also included in the famous "More Cowbell" sketches.
One of Parnell's defining sketches was alongside Andy Samberg: the digital short "Lazy Sunday." It's been credited with helping YouTube become the behemoth that it is today - people wanted to watch it over and over again, and they were only able to find it on YouTube.
After 2006, Parnell starred with fellow "SNL" cast member Horatio Sanz on the Comedy Central show "Big Lake." Parnell also shifted to voice acting, lending his voice to "Hotel Transylvania," "Archer," and "Rick and Morty."
Parnell is also the voice in the Progressive commercials.
Horatio Sanz: eight seasons (1998–2006)
Like Jimmy Fallon, Horatio Sanz was known for breaking character on his eight seasons of the show. Sanz is also the show's first Latino cast member. Beyond that, he was also known for characters like Gobi from the "Jarret's Room" sketches.
Since then, Sanz appeared in several movies, including "Step Brothers," "May the Best Man Win," and "year One." In 2009, he played a male nanny in ABC's "In the Motherhood."
More recently, the 50-year-old has lent his talents to "Ralph Breaks the Internet," "GLOW," "Love," and "Great News."
Rachel Dratch: seven seasons (1999–2006)
Rachel Dratch, 53, made a name for herself on "SNL" with her popular characters, including the make-out-obsessed Bostonian in the "Boston Teen" sketches, the sexaholic wife in the "Lovahs" sketches, and her iconic Debbie Downer. She also took on the coveted impression of Barbara Walters. Dratch was the third cast member to be let go in 2006 because of budget cuts.
She immediately jumped into a project with fellow "SNL" alum, Tina Fey, called "30 Rock." Dratch was cast as one of the leads, Jenna, but after shooting a pilot episode, the role was rewritten and recast with Jane Krakowski. Dratch made several appearances throughout the series, however, as various other characters.
Since then, Dratch has appeared in a number of comedic projects, including "Inside Amy Schumer," "The Simpsons," "Unbreakable Kimmy Shmidt," and "Difficult People." She also wrote a memoir entitled "Girl Walks Into a Bar..."
Most recently, Dratch appeared in Netflix movies like "The Week Of" and "Wine Country," both of which starred fellow "SNL" alums.
Jerry Minor: one season (2000-2001)
Jerry Minor, 49, was hired in 2000 and only appeared on the show for one season. During that time, he became known for his radio show host, Grand Master Rap, and his impression of Al Sharpton on "Weekend Update."
Since leaving the show, he has come forward to talk about the show's perceived diversity issues.
"They have a long way to go, but I think they will change," he told Salon. Minor went on to appear in a number of other sketch comedy shows, including "Funny or Die Presents," "Key and Peele," and "Comedy Bang! Bang!"
Most recently, he appeared in "Those Who Can't TV" and "Historical Roasts," where he played Martin Luther King Jr.
Tina Fey: six seasons (2000–2006)
Rolling Stone ranked Tina Fey the third-best cast member in the show's history. She was initially hired as a writer in 1995, and a few years later she became the show's first female head writer. In 2000, she became co-anchor of the "Weekend Update" segment with Jimmy Fallon. She then hosted the segment with Amy Poehler until 2006.
While working at "SNL," she wrote and appeared in "Mean Girls," which became a cult classic. The movie helped make Lindsay Lohan a superstar.
In 2006, the now 49-year-old officially left the sketch show to start her own scripted comedy, "30 Rock," which followed a producer's troubles with producing a sketch show. The series struggled with ratings in its first seasons, but in 2008, the show earned no less than 103 Emmy nominations.
In 2008, Fey also returned to "SNL" to impersonate vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, which helped increased the show's ratings by 46% that season. Fey earned an Emmy award for the impersonation.
In 2001, Fey released her bestselling memoir, "Bossypants." From 2015 to 2018, she wrote and produced another successful series, "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" for Netflix.
Most recently, she helped turn her movie "Mean Girls" into a successful Broadway show by writing the book. The show was nominated for 12 Tony awards, including a nom for Best Book.
In 2019, she also appeared in Netflix's "Wine Country" with several other "SNL" alums.
Maya Rudolph: seven seasons (2000–2007)
Maya Rudolph, 46, became famous for her spot-on impersonations of Beyonce, Gayle King, Diana Ross, Patti Labelle, Oprah, Donatella Versace, and Paris Hilton. Rudolph also developed memorable characters like Jodi Dietz from the "Bronx Beat" sketches, and one of the spokesmodels in the "Super Show Case" sketch.
In 2007, she left the show to spend more time with her daughter.
"By the time I had a daughter, it was just the right time for me to leave," the comedian told Parade. "It's hard to work on a late-night comedy show and have a baby. I did it and I wouldn't trade it for anything, but I wouldn't really recommend it."
In 2011, Rudolph starred alongside fellow "SNL" Kristen Wiig in the hit film "Bridesmaids," which now has a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
In 2016, she starred alongside Martin Short in "Maya and Marty," an old-school variety series. It was canceled after one season. In 2018, she joined up with "SNL" alum Fred Armisen in Amazon series "Forever."
She currently voices Connie the Hormone Monstress in Netflix's "Big Mouth," was nominated for back-to-back Emmys for her role on "The Good Place," and recently starred in "Wine Country" with several other "SNL" alums.
Dean Edwards: two seasons (2001–2003)
In Dean Edwards' short time on "SNL," he created several impressions, including Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, and Michael Jackson.
After the show, Edwards appeared in "Spider-Man 3." He also hosts a podcast titled "The FuthaMuckin Protocol."
Jeff Richards: three seasons (2001–2004)
Jeff Richards, 44, became well known for his Drunk Girl character on "SNL," but he also impersonated Dr. Phil, Gene Wilder, Lance Bass, Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh, and Willy Wonka.
He has since taken various roles on TV shows like "Aqua Teen Hunger Force," "Mind of Mencia," and VH1's "Hit the Floor." Richards still tours with a comedy routine that focuses mainly on impressionism, according to his website.
Amy Poehler: seven seasons (2001–2008)
Over the course of Amy Poehler's eight seasons, she created iconic characters like Betty Caruso of "Bronx Beat," a hyperactive little girl named Kaitlyn, and a one-legged contestant of reality shows named Amber. She was also known for her impressions of Kelly Ripa, Britney Spears, Michael Jackson, and most notably, Hillary Clinton. In 2004, she took Jimmy Fallon's spot as co-anchor of "Weekend Update."
While on the show, Poehler, 47, appeared in blockbuster hits like "Mean Girls" and "Baby Mama" with her fellow "SNL" alum Tina Fey.
After having a baby in 2008, the comedian left "SNL" and starred in the show "Parks and Recreation." In "Parks," she plays overeager politician Leslie Knope. Poehler was nominated for several Emmys for this role before the series ended in 2015.
In 2014, she wrote a memoir entitled "Yes Please," and in 2016, she won her first Emmy alongside Tina Fey for their return to "SNL" with their impressions of Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin.
In 2018, she hosted the Emmy-nominated competition show called "Making It," and the following year she starred in the Netflix movie "Wine Country."
Additionally, she has produced several successful shows in recent years, including "Broad City" and "Russian Doll," which was nominated for an Emmy in 2019.
Seth Meyers: 13 seasons (2001–2014)
Seth Meyers, 45, joined the show in the early 2000s and eventually rose in the ranks to become co-head writer with Tina Fey. In 2006, he started co-anchoring "Weekend Update" with Amy Poehler after Fey left the show. From 2008 to 2013, Meyers hosted the segment by himself.
In 2014, it was revealed that producer Lorne Michaels tapped Meyers for the empty "Late Night" position after Jimmy Fallon was given "The Tonight Show." Meyers took over the show in 2014 and still hosts it today. He also currently writes for "Documentary Now!" and produces "AP Bio," which was created by "SNL" alum Mike O'Brien.
Will Forte: eight seasons (2002–2010)
During Will Forte's eight seasons on "SNL," he created several characters, including the creepy politician Tim Calhoun, the bizarre, MacGyver-like hero MacGruber, and the advertising exec The Falconer. He was also known for his impressions, which include George W. Bush, Bruce Jenner, Carson Daly, and Macauley Culkin. In 2010, Forte decided to leave the show, according to The New York Times.
After his departure, the 49-year-old had stints on Tina Fey's "30 Rock," "Conan," "The Cleveland Show," "American Dad!" and "Gravity Falls."
From 2015 to 2018, he starred in his own show "The Last Man on Earth," which earned five Emmy nominations.
Most recently, he lent his talents to 2019's "Booksmart" and "The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part."
Fred Armisen: 11 seasons (2002–2013)
Fred Armisen created several memorable characters during his 11 seasons on "SNL." Some of his best include Garth, who improvised holiday tunes, and Lawrence Welk, who hosted a talk show. Armisen was also popular for his impersonations, which included Joy Behar, President Obama, and Larry King. In 2013, he decided to leave the show to fully commit to his other show, "Portlandia."
The 52-year-old had written, produced, and starred in "Portlandia" since 2011, playing multiple characters opposite Carrie Brownstein. The show has won four Emmy awards, but the series ended in 2018.
He also dabbles in the music world, even becoming the bandleader on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" for a few years.
Since then, Armisen has lent his writing and comedic talents to shows like "Documentary Now!," "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," and Netflix's "Big Mouth."
He is currently working on Los Espookys on HBO.
Finesse Mitchell: three seasons (2003–2006)
Finesse Mitchell's most well-known character from his three seasons on the show is Starkisha, a woman with a bad attitude. He also impersonated OJ Simpson, Morgan Freeman, and Venus Williams. In 2006, he was laid off due to budget cuts.
Since then, Mitchell, 47, appeared in a few movies like "Who's Your Caddy?," "The Comebacks," and "Mad Money." He also worked on Disney Channel's "A.N.T. Farm."
Today he still does stand-up comedy and goes on tour across the country.
Kenan Thompson: 16 years and counting (2003–present)
Starting in 2003, Kenan Thompson is the longest-running cast member in the show's history. Over the course of his 16 years on "SNL," he has made "Black Jeopardy" one of the best recurring sketches, he has perfected his impersonation of Steve Harvey for the "Family Feud" sketches, and he has made his impersonation of "LaVar Ball" a laugh-out-loud triumph. He is also known for his impersonations of Don Lemon, LL Cool J, Bill Cosby, and Al Roker.
In 2018, the 41-year-old was nominated for an Emmy for "Outstanding Supporting Actor" on "SNL."
Over the years, he has appeared in TV shows and movies outside of the sketch series. For example, you can see Thompson in "Fat Albert," "Snakes on a Plane," "The Smurfs," The Awesomes," and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt."
He is expected to return to "SNL" for the 2019-2020 season.
Rob Riggle: one season (2004–2005)
Former US marine Rob Riggle, 49, only appeared on "SNL" for one season, and in that time, he impersonated Toby Keith, Howard Dean, and Mark McGuire. He also played Larry the Cable Guy on the show. He was let go from the show at the end of the season.
Riggle went on to become a "Daily Show" correspondent, covering military affairs until 2008.
Since then, he has appeared in several films, including "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2," "22 Jump Street," and "Dr. Seuss' The Lorax," "The Hangover," "Step Brothers," and "Talladega Nights."
Most recently, he was seen in "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" and "American Dad!" He is also currently a commentator on FOX NFL Sunday.
Jason Sudeikis: nine seasons (2005–2013)
Jason Sudeikis joined the cast in 2005 and lasted nine seasons. During that time, he created several memorable characters, including The Devil who would come out during "Weekend Update" and the self-absorbed male in the "Two A-Holes" sketches. Sudeikis was also popular for his impersonations of George W. Bush, Joe Biden, and Mitt Romney. In 2013, he announced he was leaving the show.
Since his departure, Sudeikis, 43, starred in a number of movies, including "Horrible Bosses," "Sleeping with other People," and "We're the Millers." Most recently, he appeared in "Booksmart," which was directed by his longtime fiancée, Olivia Wilde.
Bill Hader: eight seasons (2005-2013)
Hader joined "SNL" in 2005. He regularly portrayed the character Stefon on "Weekend Update," a city correspondent of sorts who gave quirky recommendations about clubs and destinations in New York City.
Since leaving the "SNL" cast in 2013, the 41-year-old starred alongside former "SNL" cast member Kristen Wiig in the 2014 film "The Skeleton Twins." He also voiced the character of Fear in the Pixar film "Inside Out" and starred in "Trainwreck" with Amy Schumer.
He can currently be seen on the HBO show "Barry," which premiered in 2018, which he also co-created. He earned an Emmy for his performance. Hader is also starring in the upcoming sequel to "IT," aptly titled "IT: Chapter Two."
Andy Samberg: seven seasons (2005-2012)
Samberg, 40, became an "SNL" cast member in 2005. Prior to joining the cast, Samberg was a part of a comedy group called the Lonely Island which released comedic songs and videos.
Samberg spent seven years as part of the "SNL" cast, popularizing the digital short format, before resigning, according to IMDb. He still acts and writes alongside his Lonely Island bandmates, and the three wrote and starred in "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping."
Samberg's acting career didn't end after "SNL." He currently stars as Jake Peralta in the comedy series "Brooklyn Nine-Nine," a performance for which he received a Golden Globe. He married musician Joanna Newsom in September 2013, and the couple has one daughter.
Kristen Wiig: seven seasons (2005- 2012)
Best known for her portrayal of characters Gilly, Penelope, and the beloved Target clerk, Kristen Wiig was an "SNL" star for seven years starting in 2005.
In 2012, the same year she left the "SNL" cast, she was named one of TIME's 100 most influential people in the world. One of her most iconic film moments was her lead role in the 2011 comedy "Bridesmaids" alongside "SNL" veteran Maya Rudolph. Wiig also wrote the film. The 45-year-old also appeared in the all-female reboot of "Ghostbusters" and in the trippy Darren Aronofsky film "Mother!"
Wiig has also made guest appearances on "SNL" since she left the cast.
Casey Wilson: two seasons (2008-2009)
Actress Casey Wilson was part of the "Saturday Night Live" cast for two seasons before she was let go. The show "was great, but it was hard," she told Entertainment Weekly.
She has since starred in several TV series and films, including the film "Bride Wars," which she also co-wrote, and the film "Gone Girl." She's probably best known for her role as Penny in "Happy Endings."
Wilson, 38, is also the host of the successful podcast "Bitch Sesh," in which she recaps "Real Housewives" shows.
Michaela Watkins: one season (2008-2009)
Michaela Watkins, 47, joined "SNL" for one season from 2008 to 2009.
She has since starred in numerous TV series, including "The New Adventures of Old Christine," "New Girl," and "The Goldbergs." She was also in the film "Wanderlust" and "The Back-up Plan." Most recently, she appeared in the Netflix original "Ibiza."
Bobby Moynihan: nine seasons (2008-2017)
Bobby Moynihan was part of the "SNL" cast from 2008 until 2017. Moynihan made "SNL" audiences laugh at his portrayal of Snooki from "Jersey Shore" and his iconic "Drunk Uncle" character, who often made appearances at the show's "Weekend Update" segment.
In 2016, Moynihan, 42, married Brynn O'Malley, and the couple have one daughter.
Following his time as an "SNL" cast member, Moynihan voiced Mel in "The Secret Life of Pets" and the film's sequel. He also appeared in "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" and has voiced other animated characters.
Abby Elliot: four seasons (2008-2012)
Abby Elliot was a second-generation "SNL" cast member; her father, Chris Elliott, starred on the show for its 1994-1995 season.
Since her time on "SNL," Elliott, 32, was featured in "How I Met Your Mother" and "Odd Mom Out."
Nasim Pedrad: five seasons (2009-2014)
Nasim Pedrad was a part of the "SNL" cast from 2009 until 2014, and was the first Iranian cast member. Pedrad has spoofed iconic cultural figures like Arianna Huffington and Kim Kardashian, and originayed hilarious characters like "Downtown Julie Brown."
Pedrad left the show to star on the sitcom "Mulaney," which was created by "SNL" writer John Mulaney. After the show was canceled, Pedrad, 37, also appeared in "New Girl" and the Disney feature film "Aladdin."
Jenny Slate: one season (2009-2010)
Jenny Slate, 37, starred on "SNL" from 2009 until 2010 and was famously fired for cursing during the show.
Slate went on to star in various films and TV shows. She starred in the indie film "Obvious Child" as a comedian, in "Parks and Recreation" as the delightfully terrible Mona Lisa Saperstein, and had a recurring role on the "Kroll Show."
Slate also co-created "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On" alongside her then-husband, Dean Fleischer-Camp.
Vanessa Bayer: seven seasons (2010-2017)
Vanessa Bayer spent seven years entertaining "SNL" viewers, and she was nominated for an Emmy in 2017 for her performance on the show. Along with starring on "SNL," Bayer starred in TV series "Portlandia" and the film "Trainwreck."
Bayer, 37, recently published her first children's book, "How Do You Care For a Very Sick Bear?," which she was inspired to write by her own childhood experience battling leukemia, she explained in an interview with Parade.
Jay Pharoah: six seasons (2010-2016)
Jay Pharoah entertained audiences on "SNL" with his impersonations of Kanye West and Barack Obama. Pharoah was a cast member from 2010 until 2016 when he was suddenly let go.
The 31-year-old also starred in "Ride Along" with Kevin Hart and has voiced characters in "Family Guy" and the animated film "Sing." Pharoah also starred in the 2017 Showtime TV show "White Famous," which only lasted a season.
Paul Brittain: two seasons (2010-2012)
Paul Brittain joined the "Saturday Night Live" cast in 2010. During his time on the "SNL" stage, he portrayed icons like James Franco and Johnny Depp, as well as public figures like politician Ron Paul.
After leaving the show in 2012, Brittain, 42, went on to voice characters in "Hotel Transylvania" and its sequel, and he also starred in the TV series "Trophy Wife." His latest on-screen appearance was in 2018, when he starred in a short film, "Winners."
Taran Killam: six seasons (2010-2016)
Taran Killam was a member of the "SNL" cast from 2010 until 2016, when he was let go. He portrayed President Donald Trump in numerous skits, including during an introduction to the show where he stood next to then-presidential candidate Trump.
Aside from "SNL," Killam's notable roles include guest-starring in "How I Met Your Mother" alongside his wife, Cobie Smulders, and in the drama film "12 Years a Slave."
The 37-year-old has made appearances in various shows following "SNL," including "Documentary Now!," a comedy starring other "SNL" such as Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, and Seth Meyers. The series pokes fun at documentary culture. He's currently starring in the sitcom "Single Parents."
John Milhiser: one season (2013-2014)
John Milhiser, 37, starred on "SNL" as a cast member for one season from 2013 until 2014. He went on to play roles in Netflix TV series "Love," the 2016 remake of "Ghostbusters," and others.
Noël Wells: one season (2013-2014)
Noël Wells was also an "SNL" cast member for one season from 2013 until 2014. After that, she played Rachel on the TV series "Master of None" and played the lead role in 2017 comedy film "Mr. Roosevelt."
According to IMDb, Wells, 32, is set to star in TV series "Star Trek: Lower Decks."
Mike O'Brien: one season (2013-2014)
Mike O'Brien was an "SNL" writer from 2009 through 2013. He appeared as a featured player from 2013 until 2014, then continued writing on the show for two more years.
Outside of "SNL," O'Brien, 43, has starred in and written for a variety of TV series and films. He created the NBC comedy series "A.P. Bio" and also made a brief appearance in the 2019 comedy "Booksmart."
Brooks Wheelan: one season (2013-2014)
Brooks Wheelan starred in the "SNL" cast from 2013 until 2014, when he announced he wasn't returning with the instantly iconic tweet, "FIRED FROM NEW YORK IT'S SATURDAY NIGHT!"
Memorable moments from Wheelan's run with "SNL" include a sketch where he was hit in the head with a camera by Melissa McCarthy, as well as his impersonations of Harry Styles and Matthew McConaughey.
After "SNL," Wheelan, 32, made appearances in "Girls" and "Hawaii Five-0." He also starred in "Big Hero 6: The Series" from 2017 to 2019.
Kate McKinnon: nine seasons and counting (2012-present)
McKinnon, 35, is "SNL's" longest-serving female cast member. She's won numerous awards for her performances on "Saturday Night Live," including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016 and 2017 and a Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress in a Comedy Series in 2016.
Some of McKinnon's most iconic impersonations include her performances as Hillary Clinton, Ellen DeGeneres, and Kellyanne Conway.
She's also starred in the 2016 remake of "Ghostbusters," "Rough Night," and "The Spy Who Dumped Me."
McKinnon is also the show's first openly lesbian cast member, and only the third LGBTQ cast member overall.
Cecily Strong: eight seasons and counting (2012-present)
Since joining the "SNL" cast in 2012, Cecily Strong, 35, has played a number of political and cultural icons, from Melania Trump to Khloé Kardashian, plus one of the show's many original characters, "One-Dimensional Female Character from a Male-Driven Comedy" and immediate classic "Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with at a Party."
She also hosted "Weekend Update" alongside Seth Meyers and later Colin Jost.
In 2015, Strong was the featured entertainer at the 2015 White House Correspondents' Association dinner. She also appeared in the 2016 remake of "Ghostbusters."
Aidy Bryant: eight seasons and counting (2012-present)
Aidy Bryant, 32, joined "SNL" in 2012. Known for starring in "Girlfriends Talk Show" and her impersonations of Adele and Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Bryant received an Emmy nomination for her performances on the show in 2018. Beyond SNL, Bryant has starred in the films "The Big Sick," "I Feel Pretty," and the TV series "Girls." In 2018, she married comedy writer Conner O'Malley.
In 2019, Bryant's new series, "Shrill," premiered on Hulu. Bryant is a creator and lead character of the show, which explores life, love, and confidence. She told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview that she plans to stay on "SNL" for an eighth season.
Tim Robinson: one season (2012-2013)
Tim Robinson starred as an "SNL" cast member from 2012 until 2013. The 38-year-old then spent four years as an "SNL" writer until 2017 and has also written for episodes in 2018 and 2019, according to IMDb. He became the first person to originally get hired as a performer, but then switch to being a writer.
Since then, he's gone on to star in and produce other comedy works. In 2019, Robinson debuted his own Netflix comedy sketch series "I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson."
Kyle Mooney: seven seasons and counting (2013-present)
Kyle Mooney joined the "SNL" cast in 2013. He's known for hosting man-on-the-street-style interviews and impersonating figures such as Bradley Cooper, Macklemore, and Jeff Bezos.
In addition to "SNL," Mooney, 34, has most recently starred in "Zoolander 2" and "Arrested Development."
Colin Jost: seven seasons and counting (2014-present)
Colin Jost has been an "SNL" writer since 2005, according to NBC. In 2014, the 37-year-old joined the cast mid-season as a co-anchor of the "Weekend Update" series, replacing Seth Meyers, who left to host "Late Night with Seth Meyers."
Jost, alongside Michael Che, is a co-head writer of "SNL."
In May 2019, Jost and actress Scarlett Johansson got engaged. Johansson's engagement ring recently made headlines after she sported it at Comic Con 2019.
Beck Bennett: seven seasons and counting (2013-present)
Beck Bennett, 34, joined "Saturday Night Live" in 2013. A few of Bennett's notable performances include impersonations of Mitch McConnell, Vladmir Putin, and Mike Pence. He's also known for his iconic AT&T "It's not complicated" campaign.
Bennett and his "SNL" co-star Kyle Mooney have been best friends since they attended USC together, and joined the cast the same year. They also co-starred in the 2017 film "Brigsby Bear," which Mooney wrote.
In July 2018, Bennett married Jessy Hodges.
Sasheer Zamata: four seasons (2014-2017)
Sasheer Zamata, 33, was a part of the "SNL" cast from 2014 until 2017. She's known for her hilarious portrayals of Beyoncé, Diana Ross, Michelle Obama, and others. When she was hired in 2014, she became the first black woman on the show since Maya Rudolph's departure in 2007.
In 2015, Zamata was announced as the American Civil Liberty Union's Celebrity Ambassador for the Women's Rights Project.
The actress, comedian, and writer also went on to host her own show called "Sasheer Zamata Party Time" in 2017. She currently co-hosts the "Best Friends" podcast with "Nailed It!" co-host Nicole Byer.
Leslie Jones: five seasons (2014-2019)
When Leslie Jones joined the "SNL" cast in 2014, she became the oldest person to join, according to E! News. Previously, the oldest actors to join as cast members were George Coe and Michael McKean.
Jones' performances on "SNL" have landed her a 2018 Emmy nomination and gotten her on TIME's 100 Most Influential People in the World list in 2017.
Outside of "SNL," Jones, now 51, has also starred in "Ghostbusters" and "Mastermind."
Variety reported in August 2019 that Jones would not be returning for the upcoming 45th season.
Pete Davidson: six seasons and counting (2014-present)
Pete Davidson joined "SNL" in 2014. At age 25, he's the youngest member of the current cast, according to NBC. He was also the first cast member to be born in the '90s.
Davidson is a comedian who had a stand-up special on Comedy Central in 2016. His "SNL" performances landed him a spot on Forbes' 30 Under 30 list in 2016 at age 22.
Beyond his career in comedy, Davidson's name made headlines in 2018 following his and former fiancée Ariana Grande's relationship and ultimate split.
Michael Che: five seasons and counting (2014-present)
Michael Che, 36, has starred on "SNL" since 2014. Che is also one of the show's head writers, and co-hosts the show's "Weekend Update" segment with Colin Jost. The comedian has garnered headlines and awards for his work on and off "SNL," and he co-hosted the Emmy Awards in 2018 with Jost.
Since joining the "SNL" cast, Che has released an hour-long comedy special, "Michael Che Matters," on Netflix.
Jon Rudnitsky: one season (2015-2016)
Jon Rudnitsky was the only cast member to join "SNL" for Season 41, and he only lasted for a season. Among Rudnitsky's notable "SNL" moments were his impersonations of John Mayer, Vladimir Putin, and CNN anchors Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer.
Since then, Rudnitsky, 29, has starred in the 2017 romantic comedy "Home Again" and Netflix TV series "Red Oaks." He has also performed stand-up comedy on "Conan."
Melissa Villaseñor: four seasons and counting (2016-present)
Melissa Villaseñor joined the "SNL" cast in 2016. Villaseñor's character portrayals have included Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Sarah Silverman, and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. When she was hired in 2016, she became the first Latina cast member.
The 31-year-old had also voiced roles in "Toy Story 4" and "Ralph Breaks the Internet."
Mikey Day: four seasons and counting (2016-present)
Mikey Day, 39, was a writer for "SNL's" 39th season in 2014 before joining the cast in 2016. Day's impersonations of Donald Trump Jr. and Prince Harry are among his most-iconic performances.
Alex Moffat: four seasons and counting (2016-present)
Alex Moffat joined "SNL" in 2016 and has so far performed impersonations of Eric Trump and Anderson Cooper, among other entertaining characters. Moffat, 37, has also voiced a character in "Ralph Breaks the Internet."
Luke Null: one season (2017-2018)
Luke Null joined the "SNL" cast in 2017 and spent one season on the show. He starred in a variety of memorable sketches from "SNL" Season 43, including "Late for Class" with actress Saoirse Ronan. In an interview with Vulture, the 29-year-old said following his short time on the show, he's spending his time working on an album and writing comedy songs.
Chris Redd: three seasons and counting (2017-present)
Chris Redd joined the "SNL" cast as a featured player in 2017. Redd, 34, won an Emmy for his "SNL" original song, "Come Back, Barack." Prior to "SNL," Redd starred in the TV show "Disjointed" alongside Kathy Bates, as well as the film "Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping."
Heidi Gardner: three seasons and counting (2017-present)
Heidi Gardner joined the "SNL" cast in 2017 and has played a range of characters, from Angel, the stereotypical movie boxer's girlfriend, to a teen movie critic named Bailey Gismert.
Gardner, 35, also starred alongside Melissa McCarthy in "Life of the Party."
Ego Nwodim: two seasons and counting (2018-present)
Ego Nwodim, 31, joined "SNL" in 2018. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Nwodim shared her excitement for joining the cast and pitching ideas for her own sketches, saying, "I have had a few pitches make it through, and that feels like a freaking celebration." One of her most viral sketches of the year was a Discover credit card-themed skit.
Bowen Yang: one season and counting (2019-present)
Bowen Yang joined "SNL" for the 44th season as a writer. During that season, he wrote popular sketches like "Cheques," which starred host Sandra Oh. He also wrote some Weekend Update sketches, including one about a White House press intern. Yang even appeared on the show as Kim Jong-Un.
Simultaneously, Yang has co-hosted a popular podcast called "Las Culturistas" and made appearances in "High Maintenance" and "Broad City." Forbes named him among the 30 Under 30 in the entertainment category.
In Septemeber 2019, it was announced that Yang will transition from writer to actor on "SNL." He will become the first Asian-American cast member in "SNL" history and the fifth openly gay cast member on the show.
Chloe Fineman: one season and counting (2019-present)
Chloe Fineman made a name for herself on Instagram, garnering thousands of followers by impersonating some of the world's biggest names. Her most-viewed video is her impersonation of Elizabeth Holmes, the eccentric Theranos founder.
She has also impersonated Melania Trump, Timothée Chalamet, Gigi Hadid, JoJo Siwa, Drew Barrymore, Maisie Williams, and Jennifer Lawrence.
In September 2019, it was announced that Fineman will become the newest female cast member on "SNL."
