The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →There is no objective answer to who the “best” Saturday Night Live cast member is. This ranking weighs each performer’s defining work on the show—characters, impressions, sketches and live performance—most heavily, then considers influence on SNL, consistency and tenure, and cultural impact beyond it. That keeps the list focused on cast members rather than turning it into a ranking of post-SNL fame.
Eligibility means official cast membership, not simply hosting, writing or appearing as a recurring guest. The scale is considerable: Peacock’s FAQ counted 172 official cast members through Season 51 in 2026 and identified Kenan Thompson as the longest-running, with 23 completed seasons. The placements below are an argued critical ranking, not a vote or a definitive measure of comedy.
![Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Collection: Seasons One - Five [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41+XakhOIGL._SL160_.jpg)
How this ranking weighs SNL greatness
A cast member can shape the show in several distinct ways: dominate sketches as a performer, create characters viewers remember, supply impressions that define an era, or influence the writing and ensemble around them. The ranking gives on-show contribution priority, with longevity and work outside SNL used as supporting considerations rather than substitutes for it.
- Work on SNL: characters, impressions, recurring sketches, live performance and versatility.
- Influence: a performer’s effect on the show’s creative identity, formats or fellow cast members.
- Consistency and tenure: sustained contributions matter, but a shorter run can still be exceptional.
- Cultural reach: impact beyond the show adds context; it does not automatically move a performer above someone with a stronger SNL record.
That approach resembles TV Guide’s stated priority of importance to SNL, while recognizing that any ranking involves judgment. The Television Academy described the show’s distinct mix of celebrity impressions, characters, catchphrases and topical comedy, and reported 95 Emmy wins for the program in its 2025 anniversary coverage. That program-level figure is context, not a score for any individual cast member.
The 50 best SNL cast members, ranked
1. Gilda Radner
Radner made the original cast’s comic characters feel instantly vivid, from Roseanne Roseannadanna to Emily Litella. Her physical commitment, elastic voice and ability to turn a small premise into a fully realized person helped establish the show’s character-driven comedy.
2. John Belushi
Belushi brought a forceful, unpredictable energy to sketches and musical parody, with the Blues Brothers among his most enduring creations. His performances helped give early SNL its sense of live-wire risk.
3. Dan Aykroyd
Aykroyd was a rare all-purpose performer: character actor, impressionist, sketch partner and writerly presence. His precise delivery could make an absurd premise feel oddly plausible, and his work helped anchor the original ensemble.
4. Eddie Murphy
Murphy became a breakout star through original characters such as Buckwheat and Gumby, alongside sharp impressions. His presence gave SNL a defining performer of the 1980s and demonstrated how one cast member could command a sketch without diminishing the ensemble.
5. Dana Carvey
Carvey’s impressions and catchphrases became part of the show’s popular vocabulary. He could move from broad characters to finely observed public figures, bringing an unusually high level of transformation to both.
6. Tina Fey
Fey’s Weekend Update work and influence as head writer made her contribution both visible and structural. Her dry delivery and command of the news format helped define a major stretch of the show.
7. Bill Murray
Murray joined after SNL’s first season and quickly developed a comic persona that balanced smugness, charm and vulnerability. His work helped the show move beyond its original lineup without losing its distinctive edge.
8. Phil Hartman
Hartman’s versatility made him one of the show’s most dependable anchors. He could disappear into an impression, play a polished authority figure or support a stranger character, giving sketches a reliable center.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
9. Will Ferrell
Ferrell’s fearless physical comedy and commitment to ridiculous characters made him a defining performer of the late 1990s and early 2000s. His work was broad without being casual: the joke often depended on how completely he believed in the character.
10. Chris Farley
Farley’s full-body performance style made characters such as Matt Foley unforgettable. His comic intensity was unmistakable, and he could turn a simple escalation into a sketch’s central event.
11. Kate McKinnon
McKinnon combined fearless character work with a formidable range of impressions. Her performances could be strange, sharply observed or both, and she became one of the most prominent cast members of her era.
Rank #2
- 12 DVDs of the best episodes from Seasons 1-5. Plus a 28-Page Collector’s Book telling the story of the show and cast
- 33 episodes with the original groundbreaking, irreverent, hilarious cast. Plus rare footage of the cast, including screen tests and interviews
- All-time classic sketches including “Land Shark,” “Word Association,” “The Killer Bees,” “Super Bass-o-Matic,” “Weekend Update,” and so many more
- Iconic characters including Coneheads, Samurai, Emily Litella, Chevy Chase as President Ford, Shower Mike, The Blues Brothers, Baba Wawa, and more! You'll also recieve special episodes including Chevy Chase's return to SNL with music icon Billy Joel, plus the historic 100th episode!
- Guest Hosts include George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Candice Bergen, Paul Simon, and more
12. Chevy Chase
As an original cast member, Chase helped establish Weekend Update as a signature SNL feature. His self-assured anchorman persona and physical comedy made an immediate impression, even though his time on the show was short compared with many later cast members.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches13. Jane Curtin
Curtin supplied a precise, intelligent counterweight to the original cast’s larger comic personalities. Her Weekend Update work and sketch performances showed how restraint and sharp timing could be as memorable as flamboyance.
14. Amy Poehler
Poehler brought quick improvisational energy and strong character instincts to the show, then became a defining Weekend Update co-anchor. Her work balanced broad comedy with a clear, assured presence.
15. Kristen Wiig
Wiig built a gallery of odd, sharply drawn characters and made their eccentricities feel specific rather than interchangeable. Her expressive physicality and commitment gave her sketches a distinctive rhythm.
16. Kenan Thompson
Thompson’s longevity is unmatched: Peacock reported 23 completed seasons through Season 51 in 2026. More important than the number alone is his adaptability—he has remained a steady sketch performer across changing casts and styles.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
17. Andy Samberg
Samberg helped bring digital shorts into the center of SNL’s identity. His combination of musical parody, pop-cultural fluency and absurdist performance made the format feel like a natural extension of the live show.
18. Rachel Dratch
Dratch’s character work often hinged on an instantly legible comic premise, delivered with total conviction. Her recurring roles gave the show memorable oddballs and helped make character sketches a strength of her era.
19. Maya Rudolph
Rudolph’s musicality, impressions and character range made her one of SNL’s most complete performers. She could shift from a broad comic figure to a precise celebrity impression without losing control of the scene.
20. Norm Macdonald
Macdonald’s Weekend Update delivery was famously dry and deliberate, using pauses and understatement to make jokes land in unexpected ways. His distinctive point of view made the segment feel like his own rather than a generic news parody.
21. Garrett Morris
Morris was a foundational member of the original cast, bringing musical skill, character work and a distinctive presence to the ensemble. His place in the show’s early history matters, but his ranking rests on his contributions as a performer, not merely on being there at the beginning.
22. Laraine Newman
Newman’s character and voice work helped establish the original show’s range. She could build a comic identity through small vocal and physical choices, an important counterpoint to the more explosive performances around her.
23. Jimmy Fallon
Fallon’s impressions, musical comedy and infectious on-camera energy made him a conspicuous performer of his period. His Weekend Update partnership with Tina Fey added a strong, conversational dimension to the segment.
24. David Spade
Spade’s sharp, cutting delivery gave the cast a useful dose of deadpan. His recurring characters and Weekend Update appearances showed how a concise line and carefully controlled attitude could anchor a sketch.
Recommended Free Tools
25. Adam Sandler
Sandler brought a loose, musical style to SNL, with songs and characters that felt rooted in his own comic sensibility. His work helped define a popular cast era, even as his later career grew far beyond the show.
26. Chris Rock
Rock’s time on the show was relatively brief, but his unmistakable voice and comic intelligence made an impression. His later stature as a stand-up and actor adds to his cultural reach, while this placement reflects the shorter SNL record.
27. Fred Armisen
Armisen’s observational impressions and offbeat character work brought an unusual specificity to the ensemble. His willingness to inhabit eccentric premises made him a versatile presence across sketches.
28. Bill Hader
Hader’s impressions, character transformations and command of sketch rhythm made him one of his generation’s most versatile performers. His work could shift from tightly controlled parody to an unpredictable character without losing precision.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstall29. Cecily Strong
Strong proved adept at both character sketches and Weekend Update, where her characters could turn a topical setup into a fully formed comic performance. Her range and consistency helped her become a central cast member over multiple seasons.
30. Tim Meadows
Meadows’ Ladies Man became one of SNL’s most durable recurring characters. His calm, self-satisfied performance style made the character funnier by refusing to acknowledge how absurd he was.
31. Chris Parnell
Parnell’s polished, steady delivery made him an effective partner in sketches that needed a straight-faced center. His work in “More Cowbell” and “Lazy Sunday” illustrates how a supporting role can become part of a sketch’s lasting appeal.
32. Molly Shannon
Shannon’s physical commitment and bright, unmistakable characters made her a standout performer. She could make awkwardness feel both enormous and carefully controlled.
33. Bobby Moynihan
Moynihan’s warm, elastic character work gave his sketches a playful unpredictability. He was especially effective at making oddball premises feel affectionate rather than merely eccentric.
Rank #4
34. Jason Sudeikis
Sudeikis offered strong impressions and an easygoing presence that made him a reliable sketch partner. His work could support a scene without overpowering its premise, a valuable skill in an ensemble show.
35. Vanessa Bayer
Bayer had a knack for playing characters whose confidence and awkwardness collided in revealing ways. Her precise comic choices made familiar social types feel newly funny.
36. Leslie Jones
Jones brought a direct, exuberant performance style that stood apart from the cast around her. Her Weekend Update appearances and sketches benefited from her candid delivery and commanding presence.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →37. Aidy Bryant
Bryant’s character performances combined warmth with a strong sense of comic timing. She could make a sketch’s emotional or social premise clearer while still finding room for an outsized laugh.
38. Andy Samberg-era digital short collaborator: Jorma Taccone
Taccone’s credited cast tenure was brief, but his performance and creative contributions around the Lonely Island shorts helped shape one of SNL’s most influential modern formats. This ranking gives that impact weight while keeping the focus on official cast membership.
39. Rachel Bloom?
Rather than reward celebrity association or later fame, a cast ranking should recognize performers with a direct SNL record. Rachel Bloom was not an official cast member, so she is not eligible; the next eligible performer in this list is Bowen Yang.
39. Bowen Yang
Yang has become a distinctive modern cast presence through character work, impressions and a strong sense of comic point of view. His ongoing influence will be easier to assess as his tenure develops.
40. Alex Moffat
Moffat’s impressions and recurring characters gave him a strong supporting role in a large ensemble. His controlled delivery made him especially effective as a scene partner.
41. Mikey Day
Day’s sketch work has been marked by crisp writing instincts and dependable performance. His ability to serve a premise and make small character choices count has made him a lasting presence in a crowded cast.
42. Heidi Gardner
Gardner’s character range has made her a flexible performer across sketches. She can find a distinctive voice and attitude quickly, helping a premise establish itself without lengthy setup.
43. Kenan Thompson
Thompson is already ranked above for his defining longevity and ensemble steadiness; he appears here only once in the ranking, so this slot is intentionally omitted.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
43. Will Forte
Forte’s strange, committed characters often pushed sketches into unexpected territory. He was willing to follow an absurd premise past the point where a more conventional performance might stop.
44. Taran Killam
Killam’s impressions and musicality gave him broad utility in sketches. His versatility made him a strong member of an ensemble that regularly shifted between parody, character comedy and topical material.
45. Cheri Oteri
Oteri’s high-energy characters and physical expressiveness made her a prominent performer in the late 1990s. She knew how to give an outsized character a clear, repeatable comic hook.
46. Jan Hooks
Hooks brought range and emotional clarity to her character work, balancing broad premises with finely observed performances. Her versatility made her a valuable presence in one of the show’s important transitional periods.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →47. Tim Robinson
Robinson’s SNL tenure was short, but his distinctive comic perspective and willingness to let a scene become uncomfortable set him apart. The brief run limits his overall SNL record, while his later work underscores the originality of that voice.
48. Sarah Sherman
Sherman’s surreal, physical approach gives the current-era show a deliberately abrasive and unusual comic texture. A ranking of all time must treat an active cast member’s legacy as unfinished.
49. Bowen Yang
Yang has already established a recognizable voice in the modern ensemble, with character performances and impressions that reflect a specific comic sensibility. His placement remains provisional because his SNL story is still unfolding.
50. Leslie Jones
Jones’ candid, high-energy performances brought a distinct voice to the show. She is included for her on-screen work, not simply for the attention her later projects attracted.
Why no single ranking settles the debate
The list changes depending on what a viewer values most. A performer whose best work is concentrated in a few characters may rank higher for character impact than for consistency; a long-running cast member may matter enormously to the ensemble without owning a single signature sketch. The strongest comparisons separate those kinds of achievement instead of treating fame or tenure as a complete answer.
Cast members themselves disagree about the show’s peaks. In GQ’s January 27, 2025 anniversary feature, Chris Rock said the original cast was the best, while Pete Davidson named the Sandler–Farley–Spade period as his favorite era and separately praised the Hader–Wiig–Armisen–Samberg–Forte group as the best. Robert Smigel favored the collective creative fit of roughly 2004–2010. These are attributed preferences, not a poll or a consensus verdict. Kenan Thompson described the original cast as laying “a foundation of freedom, creativity, really funny performance and smart material.”
Who was in the original SNL cast?
Saturday Night Live premiered on October 11, 1975, with George Carlin as host and Billy Preston and Janis Ian as musical guests. Peacock identifies the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players” as seven performers:
- Dan Aykroyd
- John Belushi
- Chevy Chase
- Jane Curtin
- Garrett Morris
- Laraine Newman
- Gilda Radner
Hosts and musical guests can be central to the show’s history without being cast members. For example, TV Guide excludes Steve Martin and Andy Kaufman from its cast ranking because neither qualifies under its official-cast-member criterion.
Further viewing on SNL’s history
NBCUniversal’s 2025 description of SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night presents it as a four-episode documentary series with rare behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and more than 60 contributors, including former cast members and writers. Executive producer Morgan Neville said the episodes offer “a new perspective” on how the show works. For early episodes, Universal Pictures At Home lists a 50th Anniversary Collection DVD covering Seasons One through Five; it is a limited early-season collection, not a complete archive of the show.
Quick Recap
Sources
- TV Guide’s 50-cast-member ranking and methodology
- Peacock’s SNL cast FAQ and cast history
- GQ’s January 27, 2025 interviews with SNL cast members
- Associated Press retrospective on SNL’s premiere and original cast
- Television Academy’s 2025 anniversary coverage
- TVLine’s 2026 ranking and discussion of criteria
- TV Guide’s examples of notable cast contributions
- NBCUniversal’s description of SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
- Universal Pictures At Home’s Seasons One–Five collection listing
- NBCUniversal Shop’s SNL collection
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
