TVLine’s September 15, 2026 ranking puts Gilda Radner at No. 1, followed by Chris Farley and Eddie Murphy. It is an editorial judgment, not an objective verdict: the ranking weighs performers’ work on the show, memorable impressions and sketches, and audience affection. Different viewers can reasonably put the names in a different order.
How to read this ranking
There is no definitive way to measure the funniest or best Saturday Night Live cast member. TVLine writer Blaise Santi frames the list around success on the show, memorable impressions and sketches, and a demanding standard of audience affection: “The audience can’t just like them; the audience must love them.” That is Santi’s criterion, not an industry rule.
The positions below follow TVLine’s ranking. They are best understood as one critic’s ordering of performers whose contributions differ: a recurring character, an impression, a live sketch, Weekend Update, writing, or work that helped define a particular era. Tenure and awards offer useful context, but neither settles a ranking of comedy.
The 30 best SNL cast members, according to TVLine
- Gilda Radner — No. 1. TVLine points to her distinctive sketch characters and ability to connect with the audience.
- Chris Farley — No. 2.
- Eddie Murphy — No. 3.
- Phil Hartman — No. 4.
- Tina Fey — No. 5. Her place reflects the impact of Weekend Update and her influence as a writer.
- Norm Macdonald — No. 6.
- Will Ferrell — No. 7.
- Andy Samberg — No. 8. TVLine highlights the digital shorts as a defining part of his contribution.
- Not listed in the supplied TVLine ranking excerpt — No. 9.
- Not listed in the supplied TVLine ranking excerpt — No. 10.
- Not listed in the supplied TVLine ranking excerpt — No. 11.
- Not listed in the supplied TVLine ranking excerpt — No. 12.
- Maya Rudolph — No. 13.
- Kate McKinnon — No. 14.
- Vanessa Bayer — No. 15.
- Kristen Wiig — No. 16.
- John Belushi — No. 17.
- Mike Myers — No. 18.
- Not listed in the supplied TVLine ranking excerpt — No. 19.
- Not listed in the supplied TVLine ranking excerpt — No. 20.
- Not listed in the supplied TVLine ranking excerpt — No. 21.
- Not listed in the supplied TVLine ranking excerpt — No. 22.
- Dana Carvey — No. 23.
- Adam Sandler — No. 24.
- Sarah Sherman — No. 25.
- Mikey Day — No. 26.
- Heidi Gardner — No. 27. TVLine notes her recurring characters and physical comedy.
- Cecily Strong — No. 28.
- Dan Aykroyd — No. 29. TVLine cites his impression work and announcing, as well as his Blues Brothers partnership.
- Darrell Hammond — No. 30. His impressions and announcing are among the work TVLine uses to illustrate his place.
TVLine’s ranking excerpt identifies the performers at the positions shown above but does not identify the names at Nos. 9–12 or 19–22. Those placements are therefore left unnamed rather than guessed.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →#1 Best Overall
- Universal Compatibility & Pro-Grade Accessories: Nixsto RG6 coaxial cable works seamlessly with smart TVs, HDTV, CATV, cable boxes, wifi modems, satellite receivers, AM/FM radios, digital antenna, set top box, coax splitter and streaming devices,etc.. Conveniently, the coaxial cable connectors set includes one coax cable and one brass Female-to-Female extender, which can helps you expand your connections more easily
- Weatherproof Design& Durable Construction: Nixsto RG6 coax cable adapted Gold-plated F-connectors with built-in O-ring seals to prevent moisture damage. And the round water-resistant black PVC jacket protects against rain, and humidity. Ideal for indoor or outdoor antennas, basement setups, satellite dish connections, or coastal areas
- 75 Ohm Copper Core for 4K/HD Signal Integrity: The 75 Ohm copper-plated conductor of the professional RG6 coax cable wire ensures minimal signal loss for 4K/HDTV quality. Meanwhile, gold-plated contacts reduce interference and maintain stable internet/TV signalsand. And, it supports high-speed internet (5Gbps), 4K HDR video, and Dolby Digital audio
- Flexible Length Options: Multiple sizes--1.5ft 3ft 6ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 30ft 40ft 50ft 60ft 75ft 100ft are available to optimize cable management behind TV stands or wall setups; and the round black PVC design blends discreetly with home theater systems. Besides, tangle-resistant construction for neat routing around furniture and electronics
- Outstanding Service: There is any problem when in the use of the coax cable, please seek help from us, we will solve your question in time.
What makes an SNL cast member “great”?
The show has had many kinds of standout performer. A cast member who excels at impressions contributes differently from one who builds an original recurring character; a Weekend Update anchor or writer can shape the program without being judged by the same standard as a sketch performer. TVLine’s examples make that variety visible, but the list does not claim that one kind of contribution is worth a fixed number of places.
- Sketch and character impact: recurring characters, memorable sketches, impressions, and live performance.
- Contribution to the format: work on Weekend Update, writing, ensemble support, or helping define a period of the show.
- Tenure and consistency: meaningful context, but not a stand-alone score for quality.
- Audience memory: a way to discuss familiar performances and cultural reach without treating popularity as universal.
- Recognition: awards and nominations can document acclaim, but cannot determine who is funniest.
- Era and role: comparisons should account for the format and opportunities of a performer’s time on the show. Hosts and musical guests are not automatically cast members.
The scale of the cast—and why longevity is a separate measure
Peacock’s SNL cast page reports 172 official cast members as of 2026. Its count includes five featured players added for Season 51 and excludes hosts, musical guests, and people who were never officially credited as cast. With that many performers across generations, any all-time list is necessarily selective.
Rank #2
- Universal Compatibility & Pro-Grade Accessories: Nixsto RG6 coaxial cable works seamlessly with smart TVs, HDTV, CATV, cable boxes, wifi modems, satellite receivers, AM/FM radios, digital antenna, set top box, coax splitter and streaming devices,etc.. Conveniently, the coaxial cable connectors set includes one coax cable and one brass Female-to-Female extender, which can helps you expand your connections more easily
- Weatherproof Design& Durable Construction: Nixsto RG6 coax cable adapted Gold-plated F-connectors with built-in O-ring seals to prevent moisture damage. And the round water-resistant black PVC jacket protects against rain, and humidity. Ideal for indoor or outdoor antennas, basement setups, satellite dish connections, or coastal areas
- 75 Ohm Copper Core for 4K/HD Signal Integrity: The 75 Ohm copper-plated conductor of the professional RG6 coax cable wire ensures minimal signal loss for 4K/HDTV quality. Meanwhile, gold-plated contacts reduce interference and maintain stable internet/TV signalsand. And, it supports high-speed internet (5Gbps), 4K HDR video, and Dolby Digital audio
- Flexible Length Options: Multiple sizes--1.5ft 3ft 6ft 10ft 15ft 20ft 30ft 40ft 50ft 60ft 75ft 100ft are available to optimize cable management behind TV stands or wall setups; and the round black PVC design blends discreetly with home theater systems. Besides, tangle-resistant construction for neat routing around furniture and electronics
- Outstanding Service: There is any problem when in the use of the coax cable, please seek help from us, we will solve your question in time.
Peacock also identifies Kenan Thompson as the longest-running cast member as of 2026, with 23 completed seasons through Season 51. Longevity can reflect consistency and a sustained role in the ensemble; it is not the same question as who produced the most memorable comedy.
Awards and audience figures are context, not a final score
The Television Academy’s SNL awards archive lists Kate McKinnon as a 2014 winner for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for the show. That is a concrete recognition of her work, but awards measure particular decisions in particular years, not an all-time ranking.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- Blazing-Fast Signal Transmission for High-Speed Internet and Streaming: This premium-grade coax cable ensures reliable, high-bandwidth signal transfer for cable high speed internet modem, online gaming, and real-time 4K streaming with zero lag
- Supports 4K Ultra HD and Full HD Resolutions: Designed for superior video and audio clarity, this rg6 coaxial cable delivers high-resolution performance for TVs, DVRs, and modern TV antenna cable extension setups
- Proudly Made in the USA: Crafted to the highest standards using U.S.-sourced materials, our coaxial cable ensures long-lasting durability and performance, backed by American customer support
- Reliable Consistent Performance Over Long Runs: Built with an 18 AWG conductor and 75 Ohm impedance, this coaxial cable delivers dependable signal strength across long distances for both residential and commercial use
- Multi-Layer Shielding for Interference-Free Signal: Advanced shielding design minimizes EMI and RFI noise, protecting your rg6 coaxial cable connection from nearby electronics and maintaining uninterrupted performance
NBCUniversal reported that Season 51 ranked as the top broadcast comedy among adults 18–49 and marked the show’s seventh consecutive season leading broadcast comedies in that demographic. This is a network-published result for one season and audience group; it does not measure the historic popularity of an individual cast member.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to explore SNL history next
For a broader account than any ranked list can provide, James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales’s Live from New York: The Complete, Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live is an oral history. The publisher describes its edition as including material added for an anniversary. The Hachette Book Group page has the publisher’s description; it is background on the show, not evidence for TVLine’s ordering.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- High-Performance RG6 Cable: Also referred to as RG6/U cable, RG-6/U cable, or RG-6 cable, this coaxial cable is ideal for connecting devices with an RG6 F-type coaxial (F-pin) port, including digital TV, cable box, cable modem, satellite dish receiver (DirecTV, DISH Network), over-the-air (OTA) antenna, DVR, VCR, coaxial splitters, AV receiver, TV tuner card, FM radio antenna, signal amplifiers and more.
- Quad Shielded for Reliable Signal: This RG6 coax cable cord for TV features quad shielding, making it an excellent choice for DirecTV and Dish Network systems with support for frequencies up to 3 GHz.
- Convenient 3-Pack Coaxial Cable Set: The cost-effective 3-pack of TV cable wire provides spare or replacement digital coaxial cables for multiple setups. Each cable TV coaxial cable features low-profile metallic connectors for a secure fit and enhanced durability.
- Superior EMI/RFI Protection: Built with heavy-duty quad shielding, this RG6 quad shield coaxial cable includes four layers of aluminum foil and braided shielding, to protect against electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI).
- CL2 and CM Rated for Safety: Each RG 6 coaxial cable includes a flexible, durable PVC jacket that meets both CM and CL2 fire safety requirements, making it suitable for in-wall installations.
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.
