1
Amy Poehler
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Amy Poehler began her eight-season tenure on SNL back in 2001. After exiting the series in 2008, she went on to star in multiple movies and TV shows. Folks also likely recognize her for producing and starring in the cult NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation from 2008 to 2015.
2
Andy Samberg
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Between 2005 and 2012, folks got to watch Andy Samberg perform in multiple memorable sketches on SNL. After leaving the series, he went on to star as Jake Peralta on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which achieved critical acclaim and was on the air for eight seasons.
RELATED: Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ Fans, We Have Excellent News for You
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3
Ben Marshall
NBC
Ben Marshall started writing on SNL in 2021, and he’s been on the show ever since. He is part of the comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy with John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, and they star in pre-recorded comedy sketches that sometimes air on the series.
4
Bill Hader
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On SNL for eight seasons (from 2005 to 2013), fans got to see Bill Hader star as multiple characters that left a legacy. Famous for portraying Stefon on the series, he has since gone on to star in the hit comedy series Barry and win two Emmy Awards for it.
RELATED: Here’s Where to Watch and Stream ‘Barry’
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5
Billy Crystal
NBC
A cast member for just the 10th (1985-1985) season of SNL, Billy Crystal became a household name for starring in When Harry Met Sally. He also went on to garner six Emmy Awards and a Tony Award for his beloved work in Hollywood, and kids may also recognize him as the voice of Mike Wazowski in the Monsters, Inc. franchise.
RELATED: 30 Surprising ‘When Harry Met Sally’ Movie Facts
6
Bobby Moynihan
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Beginning in 2008, Bobby Moynihan was a beloved SNL cast member for nine seasons. After leaving the show in 2017, he’s appeared in multiple TV and movie projects like Inside Out, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and a current recurring role on NCIS: Origins.
RELATED: What to Know About ‘NCIS: Origins’
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7
Bob Odenkirk
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Bob Odenkirk may be a famous actor now, but he was also a writer on SNL from 1987 to 1991. After a writing stint on Late Night With Conan O’Brien from 1993 to 1994, he later made the switch to acting. He’s probably most famous for portraying Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
8
Bowen Yang
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Bowen Yang made his SNL debut in 2019, and has remained a cast member since then. Famous for starring in projects like Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, he is currently turning heads as Pfannee in Wicked. Outside of movies and TV, he also co-hosts the Las Culturistas podcast with Matt Rogers.
RELATED: The Top ‘Wicked’ Easter Eggs We Caught in the New Movie
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9
Ceara O’Sullivan
IMDB
A writer on SNL since season 48 (per IMDB), Ceara O’Sullivan‘s work has already garnered her two Emmy Award nominations. If you’re wondering what some of her writing looks like, she seemingly inferred on Instagram that she had a hand in the viral “Domingo” sketch that appeared back in October 2024.
10
Dana Carvey
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Fans may remember Dana Carvey for starring on SNL for seven seasons, from 1986 to 1993. His tenure on the show led him to receive five Emmy Award nominations, and his character Garth Algar from the “Wayne’s World” sketch spawned a popular movie and sequel in the 1990s.
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11
Fred Armisen
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A cast member on SNL for 11 seasons (from 2002 to 2013), Fred Armisen went on to star in projects like Portlandia, Unstable and Schmigadoon!. He also has been a band leader and dummer on Late Night With Seth Meyers, which often sees him interacting in segments with host and fellow SNL alum Seth Meyers.
12
Griffin Dunne
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13
Jason Sudeikis
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From 2005 to 2013, SNL featured the comedic chops of Jason Sudeikis. He exited the show after nine seasons and went on to gain critical acclaim for creating and starring in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso.
RELATED: Will There Be a ‘Ted Lasso’ Season 4?
14
Jim Downey
NBC Universal
Appearing on SNL for just one season in 1980, Jim Downey’s tenure on the show started back in 1976. Hired initially as a writer, he went on to have one of the longest writing tenures in the show’s history. He wrote for over 30 seasons on SNL before he eventually retired from the series in 2013.
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15
Jimmy Fallon
NBC
From 1998 to 2004, folks got to see Jimmy Fallon in a number of roles on SNL. Originally starring in various sketches, he later went on to co-host Weekend Update. This kickstarted a career of hosting for him, as he went on to star on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon before taking over The Tonight Show in February 2014.
16
John Mulaney
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John Mulaney‘s time on SNL started as a writer from 2008 until he left in 2013. He famously created the character Stefon for Bill Hader, and his later work in stand-up comedy led him to host SNL six times to date.
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17
Jon Lovitz
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From 1985 to 1990, fans got to see Jon Lovitz as a cast member on SNL. He was nominated for two Emmy Awards for the show, and he later starred in movies like A League of Their Own, The Benchwarmers and Hotel Transylvania. He also guest-starred on Seinfeld, New Girl and Hot in Cleveland among other TV shows.
18
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
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For three seasons (from 1982 to 1985), fans got to see Julia Louis-Dreyfus flex her comedic chops on SNL. She later went on to gain recognition for playing Elaine Banes on Seinfeld, Christine Campbell on The New Adventures of Old Christine and Selina Meyer on Veep.
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19
Keith Raywood
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A production designer on SNL, Keith Raywood has been working on the show since being hired in 1985. He is also known to collaborate on other TV design projects, including Lip Sync Battle, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and 30 Rock.
20
Kenan Thompson
NBC
As the longest-running SNL cast member, viewers have been watching Kenan Thompson on the show since 2003. Fans may remember him from All That and Kenan and Kel, but he also starred in movies like Fat Albert, Good Burger and its movie sequel. Additionally, he starred in his own sitcom, with Kenan airing for two seasons from 2021 to 2022.
RELATED: Are Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell Still Friends?
As the entertainment and news editorial assistant for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey’s Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
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“Meet the Most Famous Cast Members in ‘SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night’”
As ‘SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night’ celebrates 50 years of laughs, we can’t help but reminisce about the iconic cast members who have graced the stage of Saturday Night Live over the years. From the legendary John Belushi to the hilarious Tina Fey, these cast members have left an indelible mark on comedy and pop culture.
Join us as we take a look back at some of the most famous cast members in ‘SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night’:
1. John Belushi: Known for his larger-than-life personality and unforgettable characters, Belushi was a comedic force to be reckoned with during his time on SNL.
2. Tina Fey: Fey made history as the first female head writer of SNL and went on to create the hit show 30 Rock. Her sharp wit and comedic timing have made her a household name.
3. Eddie Murphy: Murphy’s tenure on SNL launched him to superstardom, thanks to his standout characters like Buckwheat and Mr. Robinson.
4. Will Ferrell: Ferrell’s outrageous characters and fearless comedy have made him a fan favorite, both during his time on SNL and in his successful film career.
5. Kate McKinnon: McKinnon’s versatility and impeccable impressions have made her a standout cast member in recent years, earning her multiple Emmy Awards.
These are just a few of the many talented comedians who have graced the stage of SNL over the past 50 years. Who are your favorite cast members from ‘SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night’? Let us know in the comments below!
Tags:
- SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
- Famous Cast Members of SNL
- Saturday Night Live Cast Members
- SNL50 Anniversary
- SNL Cast Members Then and Now
- SNL50 Reunion Special
- Saturday Night Live Legends
- SNL Stars of the Past
- SNL50 Anniversary Celebration
- SNL50 Cast Reunion Special
#Famous #Cast #Members #SNL50 #Saturday #Night
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