25 funniest Saturday Night Live cast members of all time

Saturday Night Live is about to hit its 50th anniversary, so no better time to count down the 25 funniest stars!

Narrowing down the best actors in a show that's run for five decades and boasted nearly 150 cast members is a challenge, to say the least. SNL has had its ups and downs over the years, with some periods boasting fantastic, brilliant comedic talents and others so low that many believed the show would be canceled. It's still survived, all thanks to that revolving cast of actors capable of pulling off these skits every week.

Many have gone on to become huge stars in movies and television and even bigger comics. Yet their SNL tenures often showed them at their best, with some standing taller than others. It's hard to figure it out, but here's how the 25 funniest SNL cast members of all time fall out as a stunning reminder of the show's legacy. 

25. Norm Macdonald

Many will know Norm Macdonald's SNL tenure by how it ended, but that ignores how funny the late comic was. His impressions were good, notably his terrific Burt Reynolds. He was also one of the chief writers who sparked up the comedy, even if the mid-90s were a bit rough for the show. Macdonald's best showcase was Weekend Update, which featured fun gags like "Germans love David Hasselhoff" and a wry delivery that made his jokes better.

Macdonald truly came alive in 1995 when he turned Update into a showcase of jokes on how OJ Simpson literally got away with murder. That led to his firing, which turned him into something of a legend. Too bad it had to end that way as Macdonald was one of the more dependable comics on SNL in his tenure. 

Read More: 4 best Weekend Update teams on Saturday Night Live

24. Tracy Morgan

One of those people with the ability to make you laugh no matter what he does, Tracy Morgan was an easy fit in SNL. He was best at nerdy characters with delusions of their skills, like animal host Brian Fellows. There were also Astronaut Jones and Woodrow, characters unlike what was on the show at the time, and that unpredictability won audiences over. 

Morgan's ability to turn into a screaming comedic machine and back at a moment's notice was remarkable and he excelled in his SNL run. The actor's since become famous for his turn on 30 Rock as SNL was the dry run for his great comedic talents. 

23. Kevin Nealon 

Kevin Nealon's SNL tenure came in that glorious early 1990s period, which was one of the show's prime eras. Nealon was best playing guys who looked like straight men only to be comedic powerhouses such as Mr. Subliminal, Mr. No-Depth Perception and the politically incorrect private eye. Nealon was also famous as Franz and Tarzan.

Wrongly slammed by some as bland, Nealon was actually amazingly funny and that "blandness" was the setup for his one-liners and letting crazy antics bounce off him. His Weekend Update hosting was also filled with fun jokes and segments to make Nealon one of the more underrated talents on the show. 

22. Chevy Chase

For a guy only on SNL for one season, Chevy Chase's impact is remarkable. It's forgotten what a comedic star Chase was in his prime and SNL was the introduction to his talents. He was the first Weekend Update host with the now iconic "I'm Chevy Chase and you're not" catchphrase and the first to impersonate a sitting President with his bumbling Gerald Ford.

Chase also helped give the show its irreverent attitude and offbeat skits like the Land Shark. His dry wit was on full display to set a nice tone for how the show was going to be. His exit and fallout are well documented but it shouldn't take away from how funny Chase was in his SNL tenure. 

21. Will Forte

An expert impressionist, Will Forte fit well in the 2000s SNL, including an impression of George W. Bush. There was creepy politician Tim Calhoun, Jon Bovi, the Falconer and, of course, MacGruber that would spin off into a feature film.

In any sketch, Forte became a terrific comic and his impressions were among the best in the show. He's since gone on for some bigger comedic roles yet Forte made his mark as a hilarious SNL presence.

20. Maya Rudolph

Now starring in the Apple TV+ series Loot, Maya Rudolph had a fun flair on SNL. She specialized in over the top characters such as her impression of Whitney Houston, Donatella Versace, Beyonce and Oprah. She could earn laughs by going wildly off with some mugging, and it's added to her later TV and movie fame.

Rudolph made a big return to SNL in 2020 to appear as then-Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris and is set to reprise the role this fall. If Rudolph continues to play a President Harris for the next few years, it only solidifies her standing as a wonderful SNL star. 

Read More: 10 actors we want to see host Saturday Night Live in season 50

19. Bill Hader

It's interesting that Bill Hader won Emmys for his turn in the dark HBO series, Barry, when he was one of the funniest guys in his time on SNL. His best turn was Stefon, the weird New York nightclub guide whose whispering talks made anyone (including Hader himself) crack with laughter. He also became the go-to impressions guy with takes on Vincent Price, Al Pacino, Charlie Sheen and so many more. 

Hader had a sharp comic timing and could balance a strange character with a more serious impression with ease. It's no wonder he later became a star on Barry as Hader's SNL tenure proved his ability to get unlikely laughs in any situation. 

18. Jan Hooks

At one point in the early 1990s, SNL had only two female cast members. Thankfully, one was Jan Hooks, capable of pulling off being the go-to for political wives from Nancy Reagan to Hillary Clinton as well as she and Nora Dunn playing the fun Sweeney Sisters.

Hooks also proved herself capable in skits such as Brenda the Waitress, one of the single most genius sketches of its time. Hooks gave her all with a great comic timing to inspire a lot of future female SNL stars.

17. Amy Poehler

Amid the long list of great women on SNL, Amy Poehler was something special. With the unenviable task of joining right after 9/11, Poehler was swiftly providing laughs to go from featured player to the main cast in record time. She had fun characters like Kaitlyn and one-legged reality show contestant Amber. Her true skill lay in impressions, with a wonderful Hillary Clinton as a highlight.

Poehler also joined Tina Fey at the Weekend Update desk, mixing it up in some good sketches and her sassy attitude becoming a hit. The actress has become famous with Parks & Recreation and her returns to SNL prove how well she fit in there. 

16. Tina Fey

Tina Fey is interesting in that her best comedic work on SNL wasn't on camera. As the first female head writer, she provided some classic stuff like Sully and Denise, parodies of shows like The View, and excellent skewering of pop and political culture. Fey finally got ahead of the camera co-hosting Weekend Update and her glorious snark was a highlight of every week.

Fey didn't rely on goofy characters or catchphrases but simply her own good writing. That would lead to success from Mean Girls to 30 Rock and Fey's writing was a key reason the first years of the 2000s were among the funniest in SNL lore. 

15. Mike Myers

One of the best catchphrase creators in SNL history, Mike Myers was a force on the show. The biggest character is, of course, Wayne, who would later become the highest-grossing movie featuring an SNL character. He also had Sprockets, Linda Richman, Lothar and Scottish store owner Stuart Rankin.

You can see the seeds for Myers' future film characters like Austin Powers and Shrek in his SNL work and just a little smirk or side glance could gain wicked laughs. Mostly retired from acting now, Myers will still be remembered as one of the best SNL success stories ever. 

Read More: Staying or going? Colin Jost and Michael Che give an update on their SNL future

14. Kristen Wiig

Something about Kristen Wiig could make folks laugh with only a look. Her tenure on SNL had Wiig featured as so many characters it was hard to count. Penelope, the Target Lady, the freakish Dooneese, Sue, Shana, Aunt Linda, Mindy Gayson and many more, each a truly distinctive character wringing laughs out of any script.

Wiig's range was always remarkable as was how she'd dedicate herself to each character, no matter how bizarre they were. It's no surprise she's taken off in movies and TV shows with SNL being the first showcase for Wiig's chameleon-like comedic range. 

13. Kate McKinnon

In terms of characters, few SNL stars, male or female, can match Kate McKinnon. They include Deenie, Colleen Rafferty, Sheila Savage and more. There's also McKinnon's uncanny ability to impersonate Hillary Clinton, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Kellyanne Conway, Anthony Fauci, Martha Stewart, and too many others. It's no wonder McKinnon won two Emmys for her beautiful work on the show. 

McKinnon also provided soothing bits for the audience like her rendition of "Hallelujah" after the 2016 election and some sharp commentary on political events. The show's reliance on her could be chastised but it's hard not to see why they'd want to use this comedic tour de force as much as they could. 

12. Dan Aykroyd

Eric Idle once said Dan Aykroyd was the one member of the original SNL cast who could have been part of Monty Python. That's the biggest praise imaginable and Aykroyd was a force in the show's early years both as a top writer and on-screen character. He and John Belushi clicked as a comedic team, especially as the Blues Brothers.

Aykroyd was also terrific from his Weekend Update fights with Jane Curtain to cooking up the nutty "Bass-o-Matic" ad. It's a bit ironic Aykroyd was more of a comedic force on SNL than in his later movies as he helped set the show's tone that's carried for decades since. 

11. Kenan Thompson

Already used to sketch comedy on the Nickelodeon show All That, Kenan Thompson was a natural fit for SNL. Joining in 2003, he's now the longest-tenured actor in the show's history and doesn't seem ready to quit. Thompson's facial expressions brightened any sketch, along with impressions of Steve Harvey, the "What's Up With That" host, and Darnell Hayes.

SNL can plug Thompson into any sketch and he'll get the biggest laughs without having to resort to mugging or such. The man is a natural comedic talent and his two decades on the show prove how essential he's become for SNL's success. 

10. Darrell Hammond

Some guys just have a gift for mimicry. Darrell Hammond proved that on SNL as it seemed there was no celebrity he couldn't portray. Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Donald Trump, Alfred Hitchcock, and a least a half dozen different newsmen were all in his repertoire. Easily his most famous impression is his Sean Connery ruthlessly tormenting Will Ferrell's Alex Trebek in Celebrity Jeopardy sketches.

In total, Hammond boasted 106 impressions in his 14 years on the show, a record for both (until Kenan Thompson broke the latter). Taking over for Don Pardo as announcer is the icing on the cake, as Hammond's astounding impressions were always the biggest laugh-getters of his SNL tenure. 

Read More: Who will play Donald Trump during Saturday Night Live season 50?

9. Adam Sandler

Another guy who's become a big movie star that SNL seems an afterthought in his career, Adam Sandler was a fun presence on the show. He excelled at nutty characters like Cajun Man, Opera Man and the infamous "Canteen Boy" sketch. Sandler mastered the "weird manchild" voice and character he'd use in his later hit movies.

Sandler also provided original tunes like the Haunkah song that gets played every year while showcasing his fine range. Sandler provides scores of laughs in his film and SNL was when he first got to show it all off. 

8. Gilda Radner

Sadly lost to cancer in 1989, Gilda Radner was SNL's first female star. She showed off a fine range that included Roseanne Roseannadanna, Baba Wawa; the always-confused Emily Litella, and more. She was also an expert at impressions like Lucille Ball and Patti Smith.

Radner also had some fun bits like a dance routine with host Steve Martin, some quirky skits and showed she could easily hang with the guys in terms of comedy success. Radner paved the way for every female SNL star to follow in her footsteps while still remaining a one of a kind talent. 

7. Chris Farley

Mention Chris Farley, and most think of the sad downward spiral he took in addictions and other problems that led to his death in 1997, just months after he'd hosted the show. Farley always idolized John Belushi, and it's easy to see him channeling that spirit in nutty characters like motivational speaker Matt Foley and his quirky interviews with celebrities. Seeing his castmates fighting not to break into laughter was one of the best parts of his sketch. 

Farley was always the first to mock his weight in sketches like the Chippendales dancing and not above showing his rear end off on TV. He had some good movie success after leaving the show yet when watching his stunning material, it just shows how much comedic talent Farley had that was never fully realized. 

6. Dana Carvey

The Church Lady. Garth. President George H. Bush. Hans. The Grumpy Old Man. Ross Perot. For fans of early 1990s SNL, Dana Carvey was one of the ultimate faces and always guaranteed to make you laugh. His characters and impressions clicked with crazy stuff like "Head Wound Harry" and always able to gel with any guest actor. 

Carvey just seemed so at home on the show, able to vanish into characters and his impressions top-notch. When he let loose, it was a hysterical sight and Carvey easily carved out his place as one of the best SNL stars of an already great period for the show. 

5. John Belushi

No comedic star of the 1970s burned brighter and ended faster than John Belushi. As soon as SNL premiered, Belushi was in the first skit and soon became the show's first huge star. Belushi was a force of nature, fantastic in anything from the Samurai to the Blues Brothers to his insane rants on Weekend Update. Few SNL actors since have come close to matching his energy.

Sadly, that energy was fueled by inner demons and addictions that would lead to Belushi's far too-young death in 1982. That solidified him as a legend on the show and its telling that 50 years later, he can still make you laugh hard. 

Read More: How many actors have played Joe Biden on Saturday Night Live?

4. Will Ferrell

One of the most successful SNL-to-movie star transitions ever, Will Ferrell's tenure on the show came at a creative high point. Ferrell was front and center with characters like the Spartan Cheerleaders, the Roxbury guys, and numerous impressions. Ferrell also showed his willingness to go the extra mile to make himself look like a fool, such as the famed sketch of him as a businessman clad only in an American flag thong. 

He also won folks over with his stunning impression of President George W. Bush. Few cast members were capable of breaking their cast mates like Ferrell, as proven in the iconic "need more cowbell" sketch. His movie stardom has only enhanced Ferrell's fame as SNL can boast being his big break to his wildly successful career. 

3. Bill Murray

We've become so used to Bill Murray as a major movie star that it's almost easy to forget how hilarious he was in the original SNL. His characters ran the gamut from the slick lounge singer Nick to a gross-out high schooler and also a natural at the Weekend Update desk. Murray perfected his dry humor, not going for the big laughs but getting them easily.

Murray has also hosted the show enough times to still count as a cast member, showing his growth as an actor. Given his fame in the movies, it's no wonder Murray's SNL tenure is still known for some of the show's best early stuff. 

2. Phil Hartman

The tragic death of Phil Hartman in 1998 cut too short an actor who looked like he still had so much to give the world. Hartman was a master on SNL as he could play the straight man in some sketches only to turn on the outrageous laughs in the next. He enjoyed offbeat characters like the Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer, the Anal-Retentive Chef and his President Bill Clinton impression was one of the best of any POTUS in SNL's history.

Other cast members openly called Hartman the "glue" of that early 1990s era, often considered one of the show's high points. Hartman would leave to star in the sitcom NewsRadio and his boasting of over 70 characters and nearly as many impressions is the major reason so many fans still miss him today. 

1. Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy has had a contentious relationship with SNL over the years. There was a period where he almost seemed to think it was an embarrassment for him. Thankfully, Murphy has come around to hosting the show a couple of times and reminding folks what an explosive comedic talent he was when he started out in the early 1980s. SNL exposed Murphy to a wider audience and he clearly loved it.

Gumby, Buckwheat, Mr. Robinson and his killer impressions of Stevie Wonder and others were terrific and Murphy even stepped in as guest host when Nick Nolte got sick at the last minute. Even toned down for network TV, Murphy could wring massive laughs with often shocking material. It rocketed him to becoming one of the biggest comedic stars ever to stand tall on this list.