The following is a list of Saturday Night Live cast members, past and present. The cast members of Saturday Night Live are often referred to as the "Not Ready For Prime Time Players". This article is about the American television series. ...

Writers

All cast members on Saturday Night Live are expected to write as well as perform. Those that don't write end up with fewer parts and face-time and often eventually leave the show. This article is about the American television series. ...

Three groups serve as “farm clubs” for the cast and writing staff: The improvisational comedy troupes The Groundlings and The Second City, and the publication Harvard Lampoon. Recently the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre has become a noted "club" as well. For the organization which many minor leagues belong to, see Minor League Baseball Part of the History of baseball series. ... Improvisational comedy (also called improv) is comedy that is performed with a little to no predetermination of subject matter and structure. ... This article does not adequately cite its references or sources. ... Second City redirects here. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, 2004. ...

Each of the three brings a different perspective: [1]

• performers from the Groundlings often end up creating the vivid recurring characters which are one hallmark of the show;
• writer-performers from Second City are known for “aesthetic perfectionism”; they tinker obsessively with the wording and inflections of a punch line or the behavioral details of a character;
• writers from the Lampoon emphasize the conceptual premise of a sketch, taking a boyhood fantasy to an extreme, for example.

List of cast members

The following list of cast members includes both featured and repertory players, but omits SNL writers and others who weren't listed as cast members during the show's credits. The dates given are the dates of the season in which they first appeared as a player and the season when they left. For example, Bill Murray first appeared on the show in 1977. However, the season began in 1976. Therefore, the date given on the listing will specify 1976. William James Bill Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an Academy Award-nominated, Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-winning American comedian and actor. ... Also: 1977 (album) by Ash. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Cast members who have left a memorable legacy on the show often have been the subject of a Best of SNL videotape, DVD, or compilation special. Cast members where this applies are marked with a (•) on the list below. In addition, some hosts have had such compilation videos made for their performances even though they were never members of the cast of Saturday Night Live: Steve Martin, Christopher Walken, Tom Hanks and Alec Baldwin. Cast members who were only featured (never promoted to contract player) are marked with an (F). For other uses, see Steve Martin (disambiguation). ... Christopher Walken (born March 31, 1943) is an Academy Award-winning American film and theatre actor. ... Thomas Jeffrey Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American two-time Academy Award-winning film actor, Emmy-winning director, voice-over artist, writer, and movie producer. ... Alexander Rae Alec Baldwin III (born April 3, 1958) is an Emmy- and Academy Award-nominated, and Golden Globe Award-winning, American actor. ...

The original "Not Ready For Prime Time Players" (1975)

In alphabetical order:

• Dan Aykroyd (October 11, 1975–1979) (•)
• John Belushi (October 11, 1975–1979) (•)
• Chevy Chase (October 11, 1975–1976) (•)
• George Coe (October 11, 1975 – October 25, 1975 [Credited].) Thereafter, through the first season Coe was an occasional uncredited featured player
• Jane Curtin (October 11, 1975–1980)
• Garrett Morris (October 11, 1975–1980)
• Laraine Newman (October 11, 1975–1980)
• Michael O'Donoghue (October 11, 1975 – October 25, 1975 [Credited].) Thereafter and through 1978, O'Donoghue was a frequent featured player, usually credited. He also made uncredited appearances in 1981.
• Gilda Radner (October 11, 1975–1980) (•)

Daniel Edward Aykroyd CM (born July 1, 1952) is an Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning Canadian/American comedian, actor, screenwriter, and musician. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... John Adam Belushi (January 24, 1949 – March 5, 1982) was an Emmy Award-winning American comedian, actor and musician, notable for his work on Saturday Night Live, National Lampoons Animal House and The Blues Brothers. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also: 1979 by Smashing Pumpkins. ... For other uses, see Chevy Chase (disambiguation). ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1976 Pick up sticks(MCMLXXVI) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... George Coe is an actor who has appeared in many films and television shows. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jane Curtin - Promo Picture from 3rd Rock from the Sun Jane Therese Curtin (born September 6, 1947) is an American actress and comedian, from Cambridge, Massachusetts. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Garrett Morris (born February 1, 1937) is an American comedian and actor from New Orleans, Louisiana. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Laraine Newman (born March 2, 1952) is an American comedian and actress, from Los Angeles, California. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ... Michael ODonoghue (born January 5, 1940, Sauquoit, New York, United States; died November 8, 1994) was a 20th century writer and performer noted for his dark and destructive style of comedy, and as the first head writer of the highly influential American television program Saturday Night Live. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Gilda Susan Radner (28 June 1946 – 20 May 1989) was an American comedienne and actress, best known for her five years as part of the original cast of the NBC comedy series Saturday Night Live. ... is the 284th day of the year (285th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

Started 1975–1979

Note that beginning with the 1978-79 season, SNL no longer referred to its cast as "The Not Ready For Prime Time Players".

• Tom Davis (1975–1980) (F)
• Al Franken (1975–1980) & (1985–1995) (F)
• Bill Murray (1976–1980) (•)
• Don Novello (1978–1980) & (1985–1986) (F)
• Peter Aykroyd (1979–1980) (F)
• Jim Downey (1979–1980) (F)
• Paul Shaffer (1979–1980) (F)
• Tom Schiller (1979–1980) (F)
• Alan Zweibel (1979–1980) (F)
• Brian Doyle-Murray (1979–1980) & (1981–1982) (F)
• Harry Shearer (1979–1980) & (1984–1985)

Tom Davis is a prolific comedy writer and performer. ... Alan Stuart Al Franken (born May 21, 1951) is an Emmy Award–winning American comedian, actor, author, screenwriter, political commentator, radio host and, recently, politician. ... William James Bill Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an Academy Award-nominated, Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-winning American comedian and actor. ... Don Novello (born January 1, 1943, Lorain, Ohio) is an American, writer, film director, producer, actor, singer, and comedian. ... Peter Hugh Aykroyd was born to Lorraine and Peter Aykroyd in Canada. ... Paul Allen Wood Shaffer (born November 28, 1949 in Fort William (now Thunder Bay), Ontario, Canada) is a Jewish-Canadian-American musician, actor, voice actor, author, comedian and composer currently seen as the bandleader on the Late Show with David Letterman. ... The son of sitcom writer Bob Schiller, Tom Schiller is best known for his eleven-year stint writing and directing short films for Saturday Night Live. ... Alan Zweibel (born 1950 is a producer and writer on such productions as Saturday Night Live, PBS Great Performances, and Its Garry Shandlings Show. ... Brian Doyle-Murray (born October 31, 1945) is an American comedian, screenwriter and character actor from Chicago. ... Harry Julius Shearer (born December 23, 1943) is an American comedic actor and writer. ...

Started 1980–1984

• Denny Dillon (1980–1981)
• Gilbert Gottfried (1980–1981)
• Yvonne Hudson (1980–1981) (F)
• Matthew Laurance (1980–1981) (F)
• Gail Matthius (1980–1981)
• Laurie Metcalf (1980–1981) (F)
• Emily Prager (1980–1981) (F)
• Ann Risley (1980–1981)
• Charles Rocket (1980–1981)
• Patrick Weathers (1980–1981) (F)
• Tony Rosato (1980–1982)
• Robin Duke (1980–1984)
• Tim Kazurinsky (1980–1984)
• Eddie Murphy (1980–1984) (•)
• Joe Piscopo (1980–1984)
• Christine Ebersole (1981–1982)
• Mary Gross (1981–1985)
• Brad Hall (1982–1984)
• Gary Kroeger (1982–1985)
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus (1982–1985)
• Jim Belushi (1983–1985)
• Billy Crystal (1984–1985)
• Christopher Guest (1984–1985)
• Rich Hall (1984–1985)
• Martin Short (1984–1985)
• Pamela Stephenson (1984–1985)

Denny Dillon (born May 18, 1951 in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American comedian and former cast member of Saturday Night Live. ... Gilbert Gottfried (born February 28, 1955 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American stand-up comedian. ... Gail Matthius, born in 1953, is an American actress and voice actress. ... Lauren Laurie Ophelia Metcalf (born June 16, 1955) is an Emmy Award-winning American actress. ... Ann Risley (born in 1949) was a cast member of the tv series Saturday Night Live for just 13 weeks. ... Charles Rocket, born Charles Adams Claverie (August 24, 1949 – October 7, 2005), was an American film and television actor, most notable for his tenure as a cast member on Saturday Night Live as well as for his appearances as the villain Nicholas Andre in the film Dumb & Dumber and Adam... Tony Rosato (born December 26, 1954) is an Italian-born actor who appears in television and movies in both Canada and the United States. ... Robin Duke (born March 13, 1954 in St. ... Tim Kazurinsky (born March 3, 1950 in Johnstown, Pennsylvania) is a comedian best known for performances on the NBC show Saturday Night Live. ... For other uses, see Eddie Murphy (disambiguation). ... ... Christine Ebersole Christine Ebersole (b. ... Mary Gross (born March 25, 1953 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American comedian and actress best known for her four-year stint on Saturday Night Live from 1981 to 1985. ... Hall anchoring Weekend Update Brad Hall (born March 21, 1958, Santa Barbara, California) is an American writer and actor, best known as a Saturday Night Live news anchor on Saturday Night News. ... Gary Kroeger (born April 13, 1957) is an American actor best known for his work on Saturday Night Live from 1982 to 1985. ... This article is about the American actress. ... James Edgar Belushi (born June 15, 1954) is an American actor, comedian, musician and younger brother of the late comedian John Belushi. ... For the American political commentator, see William Kristol. ... For the Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, see Christopher Guest, Baron Guest. ... Rich Hall (born 1954 in Waxhaw, North Carolina) is an American comedian and writer. ... Martin Hayter Short, CM (born March 26, 1950) is a Canadian/American comedian, actor, writer, and producer. ... Pamela Stephenson also known as Pamela Stephenson Connolly, (born December 4, 1949 in Takapuna, Auckland) is a New Zealand-Australian clinical psychologist and former actress and comedian, now resident in New York, New York, USA. // After attending the University of New South Wales and then Australias National Institute of...

Started 1985–1989

• Joan Cusack (1985–1986)
• Robert Downey Jr. (1985–1986)
• Anthony Michael Hall (1985–1986)
• Randy Quaid (1985–1986)
• Terry Sweeney (1985–1986)
• Danitra Vance (1985–1986)
• Dan Vitale (1985–1986) (F)
• Damon Wayans (1985–1986) (F)
• Nora Dunn (1985–1990)
• Jon Lovitz (1985–1990) (•)
• A. Whitney Brown (1985–1991) (F)
• Dennis Miller (1985–1991)
• Jan Hooks (1986–1991)
• Victoria Jackson (1986–1992)
• Dana Carvey (1986–1993) (•)
• Phil Hartman (1986–1994) (•)
• Kevin Nealon (1986–1995) (•)
• Ben Stiller (1988–1989) (F)
• Mike Myers (1988–1995) (•)

Joan Mary Cusack (born October 11, 1962) is an Academy Award-nominated American actress and comedian. ... Robert John Downey Jr. ... Michael Anthony Thomas Charles Hall (born April 14, 1968), known professionally as Anthony Michael Hall, is an American actor, producer and director who achieved stardom in several successful teen-oriented films of the 1980s. ... Randall Rudy Randy Quaid (born October 1, 1950) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor and comedian. ... Terry Sweeney (born March 23, 1960) is an American homosexual writer, comedian and actor. ... Danitra Vance (July 13, 1959 - August 21, 1994) was an actress best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live during the 1985-86 season. ... Damon Kyle Wayans (pronounced WAYNES) (born September 4, 1960) is an American stand-up comedian, writer, and actor who began his career as a stand-up comic in 1982. ... Dunn at the Laws of Attraction priemere. ... Jonathan Lovitz (born July 21, 1957 in Tarzana, California) is an American actor and comedian perhaps best known as a cast member of Saturday Night Live and for his show The Critic. ... A(lan) Whitney Brown (b. ... Dennis Miller (born November 3, 1953) is an American Emmy Award-winning comedian, political commentator, television personality, and talk radio host. ... Jan Hooks in 1988 Jan Hooks (born April 23, 1957 in Decatur, Georgia) is an American actress and comedian best known for her work on NBCs Saturday Night Live, on which she appeared from 1986 to 1991. ... Jan Hooks, Dolly Parton, and Jackson in a 1989 SNL sketch. ... Dana Thomas Carvey (born April 2, 1955, in Missoula, Montana) is an American actor and comedian best known for his work on Saturday Night Live and the spin-off movie Waynes World. ... Phil Hartman (born as Philip Edward Hartmann) (September 23, 1948 – May 28, 1998) was a Canadian-American Emmy Award-winning actor, voice artist, comedian, graphic artist and writer. ... Kevin Nealon in 2006 Kevin Nealon (born November 18, 1953 in Bridgeport, Connecticut) is an American comedian and actor best known for the characters he played on Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, and his role on the series Weeds. ... Benjamin Edward Stiller (born November 30, 1965) is an Emmy-winning American comedian, actor, film producer and director. ... This article is about the actor. ...

Started 1990–1994

• Chris Rock (1990–1993) (•)
• Rob Schneider (1990–1994)
• Julia Sweeney (1990–1994)
• Chris Farley (1990–1995) (•)
• Adam Sandler (1990–1995) (•)
• David Spade (1990–1996) (•)
• Tim Meadows (1991–2000) (•)
• Beth Cahill (1991–1992) (F)
• Siobhan Fallon (1991–1992)
• Robert Smigel (1991–1993) (F)
• Melanie Hutsell (1991–1994)
• Ellen Cleghorne (1991–1995)
• Sarah Silverman (1993–1994) (F)
• Michael McKean (1993–1995)
• Jay Mohr (1993–1995) (F)
• Norm MacDonald (1993–1998)
• Morwenna Banks (1994–1995)
• Chris Elliott (1994–1995)
• Janeane Garofalo (1994–1995)
• Laura Kightlinger (1994–1995)
• Mark McKinney (1994–1997)
• Molly Shannon (1994–2001)(•)

Christopher Julius Rock III[5] (born February 7, 1965)[6][7] is an Emmy Award winning American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director. ... This article is about the American actor/comedian. ... Julia Sweeney (born October 10, 1959 in Spokane, Washington) is an American actress and comedian who lives in Hollywood, California. ... Christopher Crosby Farley (February 15, 1964 – December 18, 1997) was an American actor and comedian. ... Adam Richard Sandler (born September 9, 1966) is an American comedian, actor, musician, screenwriter, and film producer. ... David Wayne Spade (born July 22, 1964) is an Emmy-Award and Golden Globe-nominated American actor, comedian, television personality who gained fame in the 1990s as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. ... Tim Meadows (born February 5, 1961) is an American actor and comedian. ... Beth Cahill (September 1963) is an American television actress who rose to fame on Saturday Night Live and joined the cast for the 1991-1992 season as a cast member and writer for some episodes, Cahill was let go after only 14 episodes. ... Siobhan Fallon (born May 13, 1961) is an American actress. ... Robert Smigel (born February 7, 1960) is an American humorist and performer best known for his Saturday Night Live TV Funhouse cartoon shorts and as the puppeteer behind Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog. ... Melanie Hutsell (born in Maryville, Tennessee) is a comedic actress best known for her tenure on Saturday Night Live. ... Ellen Cleghorne (born November 29, 1965 in Brooklyn, New York) is an African-American actress and comedienne best known for her roles on Saturday Night Live. ... Sarah Kate Silverman (born December 1, 1970) is an American comedian, writer and actress. ... Michael McKean (born October 17, 1947) is an American actor, comedian, composer and musician, best known for his portrayal of Leonard Lenny Kosnowski on the sitcom Laverne and Shirley; as one of the members of Spinal Tap; as a Saturday Night Live cast member; and for other various appearances in... Jay Mohr Jay Mohr (born August 23, 1970) is a Caucasian American actor and stand-up comedian. ... Norman Gene Macdonald (born October 17, 1963) is a Canadian actor and comedian. ... Morwenna Banks (born 1964 in Flushing, Cornwall, England) is a British actress and comedian. ... Chris Elliott (born May 31, 1960 in New York City) is an American comedian and the son of comedian Bob Elliott. ... Janeane Garofalo (born September 28, 1964) is an American stand-up comedian, actress, political activist, writer and former co-host on Air America Radios The Majority Report. ... Laura Kightlinger (born June 13, 1969, in Jamestown, New York, USA) is an American comedian. ... Mark Douglas Brown McKinney (born June 26, 1959) is a Canadian comedian and actor, best known for his work in the long-running sketch comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

Started 1995–1999

• David Koechner (1995–1996)
• Nancy Walls (1995–1996)
• Fred Wolf (1995–1997) (F)
• Jim Breuer (1995–1998)
• Cheri Oteri (1995–2000) (•)
• Colin Quinn (1995–2000)
• Will Ferrell (1995–2002) (•)
• Darrell Hammond (1995—) (•)
• Chris Kattan (1995–2003) (•)
• Ana Gasteyer (1996–2002)
• Tracy Morgan (1996–2003) (•)
• Jimmy Fallon (1998–2004) (•)
• Chris Parnell (1998–2006)
• Horatio Sanz (1998–2006)
• Rachel Dratch (1999–2006)
• Maya Rudolph (1999–2008)

David Koechner (pronounced //) (born August 24, 1962) is an American character actor (film, television and stage), comedian and musician. ... Nancy Walls (born July 19, 1966, in Cohasset, Massachusetts) is an American actress who has appeared in many comedies. ... Fred Wolf is an American animator. ... Jim Breuer This article is about the comedian. ... Cheri Oteri (born Cheryl Ann OTeari September 19, 1962) is an American actress and comedian known for her work on NBCs Saturday Night Live. ... Colin Quinn Colin Quinn (born June 6, 1959) is a Irish-American comedian, best known for his five years in the cast of Saturday Night Live. ... John William Will Ferrell (born July 16, 1967[1]) is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated American comedian, actor and writer who first established himself as a cast member of Saturday Night Live, and has since gone on to a successful film career. ... Darrell Hammond (born October 8, 1955) is an American comedian who has been a cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL) since 1995. ... Christopher Lee Kattan (born October 19, 1970) is an American comedian, best known for his work on Saturday Night Live. ... Ana Kristina Gasteyer (born May 4, 1967) is an American actress and comedian. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... James Thomas Fallon (born September 19, 1974 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American comedian, actor, musician, and Grammy nominee best known for his work on Saturday Night Live. ... Thomas Christopher Chris Parnell (born February 5, 1967 in Memphis, Tennessee) is an actor and comedian who was a Saturday Night Live cast member in 1998-2001 and 2002-2006. ... Horatio Sanz (born June 4, 1974[1]) is an American comedian and actor, known as a former cast member of Saturday Night Live. ... Rachel Susan Dratch (born February 22, 1966) is an American actress and comedian, perhaps best known as a cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1999 to 2006. ... Maya Khabira Rudolph (born July 27, 1972, in Gainesville, Florida) is an American actress and comedian, currently best known as a cast member of NBCs Saturday Night Live. ...

Started 2000-2004

• Jerry Minor (2000–2001) (F)
• Tina Fey (2000–2006)
• Dean Edwards (2001–2003) (F)
• Jeff Richards (2001–2004)
• Seth Meyers (2001—)
• Amy Poehler (2001–2008)
• Fred Armisen (2002—)
• Will Forte (2002—)
• Finesse Mitchell (2003–2006)
• Kenan Thompson (2003—)
• Rob Riggle (2004–2005) (F)
• Jason Sudeikis (2004—)

Jerry Minor (b. ... Elizabeth Stamatina Tina Fey (born May 18, 1970) is an Emmy-winning American writer, comedian and actress. ... Dean Edwards (born July 30, 1970 in The Bronx, New York) is a stand-up comedian and actor. ... Jeff Richards on Saturday Night Live (with Tina Fey) Jeff Richards (born October 21, 1974) is an American comedian. ... Seth Adam Meyers (born December 28, 1973 in Bedford, New Hampshire) is an American actor and comedian best known as a cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL). ... Amy Poehler (born September 16, 1971) is an American comedian and actress. ... Fred Armisen (born December 4, 1966) is an American musician, comedian, and actor, known for his work as a castmember on Saturday Night Live. ... Orville Willis Will Forte IV (born June 17, 1970) is an American actor, writer, and comedian best known for appearing on the television show Saturday Night Live, where he has been a cast member since 2002. ... Finesse Mitchell (born June 12, 1972 in Atlanta, Georgia) is an American comedian. ... Kenan Thompson (born May 10, 1978 in Atlanta, Georgia), is an American actor and comedian. ... Robert A. Riggle, Jr. ... Jason Sudeikis (born September 18, 1975) is an American actor and comedian. ...

Started 2005-2009

• Bill Hader (2005—)
• Andy Samberg (2005—)
• Kristen Wiig (2005—)

William Bill Hader (born June 7, 1978) is an American comedian and repertory player on Saturday Night Live. ... Andy Samberg (born August 18, 1978) is an American stand-up comic, Emmy-nominated songwriter, and member of comedy group The Lonely Island. ... Kristen Carroll Wiig (born August 22, 1973) is an American actress, comedian, and impressionist. ...

Repertory players

• Fred Armisen (2002-Present)
• Will Forte (2002-Present)
• Bill Hader (2005-Present)
• Darrell Hammond (1995-Present)
• Seth Meyers (2001-Present)
• Amy Poehler (2001-2008)
• Maya Rudolph (1999-2008)
• Andy Samberg (2005-Present)
• Jason Sudeikis (2005-Present)
• Kenan Thompson (2003-Present)
• Kristen Wiig (2005-Present)

Fred Armisen (born December 4, 1966) is an American musician, comedian, and actor, known for his work as a castmember on Saturday Night Live. ... Orville Willis Will Forte IV (born June 17, 1970) is an American actor, writer, and comedian best known for appearing on the television show Saturday Night Live, where he has been a cast member since 2002. ... William Bill Hader (born June 7, 1978) is an American comedian and repertory player on Saturday Night Live. ... Darrell Hammond (born October 8, 1955) is an American comedian who has been a cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL) since 1995. ... Seth Adam Meyers (born December 28, 1973 in Bedford, New Hampshire) is an American actor and comedian best known as a cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL). ... Amy Poehler (born September 16, 1971) is an American comedian and actress. ... Maya Khabira Rudolph (born July 27, 1972, in Gainesville, Florida) is an American actress and comedian, currently best known as a cast member of NBCs Saturday Night Live. ... Andy Samberg (born August 18, 1978) is an American stand-up comic, Emmy-nominated songwriter, and member of comedy group The Lonely Island. ... Jason Sudeikis (born September 18, 1975) is an American actor and comedian. ... Kenan Thompson (born May 10, 1978 in Atlanta, Georgia), is an American actor and comedian. ... Kristen Carroll Wiig (born August 22, 1973) is an American actress, comedian, and impressionist. ...

Featured players

Currently None.

Notable tenures

Although SNL has a rapid turnover of cast members, some performers have had long tenures with the show. Few have broken the seven-year barrier. Among the longest-serving cast members are:

Darrell Hammond (born October 8, 1955) is an American comedian who has been a cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL) since 1995. ... Alan Stuart Al Franken (born May 21, 1951) is an Emmy Award–winning American comedian, actor, author, screenwriter, political commentator, radio host and, recently, politician. ... Tim Meadows (born February 5, 1961) is an American actor and comedian. ... Languages Predominantly American English Religions Protestantism (chiefly Baptist and Methodist); Roman Catholicism; Islam Related ethnic groups Sub-Saharan Africans and other African groups, some with Native American groups. ... Kevin Nealon in 2006 Kevin Nealon (born November 18, 1953 in Bridgeport, Connecticut) is an American comedian and actor best known for the characters he played on Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, and his role on the series Weeds. ... Phil Hartman (born as Philip Edward Hartmann) (September 23, 1948 – May 28, 1998) was a Canadian-American Emmy Award-winning actor, voice artist, comedian, graphic artist and writer. ... Horatio Sanz (born June 4, 1974[1]) is an American comedian and actor, known as a former cast member of Saturday Night Live. ... Maya Khabira Rudolph (born July 27, 1972, in Gainesville, Florida) is an American actress and comedian, currently best known as a cast member of NBCs Saturday Night Live. ... For other uses, see Female (disambiguation). ... Thomas Christopher Chris Parnell (born February 5, 1967 in Memphis, Tennessee) is an actor and comedian who was a Saturday Night Live cast member in 1998-2001 and 2002-2006. ... Christopher Lee Kattan (born October 19, 1970) is an American comedian, best known for his work on Saturday Night Live. ... Rachel Susan Dratch (born February 22, 1966) is an American actress and comedian, perhaps best known as a cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1999 to 2006. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... John William Will Ferrell (born July 16, 1967[1]) is an Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated American comedian, actor and writer who first established himself as a cast member of Saturday Night Live, and has since gone on to a successful film career. ... Amy Poehler (born September 16, 1971) is an American comedian and actress. ... Seth Adam Meyers (born December 28, 1973 in Bedford, New Hampshire) is an American actor and comedian best known as a cast member of Saturday Night Live (SNL). ...

Family connections

Some cast members are related to former staff of the show. The most prominent example is Jim Belushi, younger brother of cast member John Belushi. Before that, Bill Murray's older brother Brian Doyle-Murray was a writer and cast member. When Dan Aykroyd left the show in 1979, he was replaced by a series of short-lived featured players, one of whom was his brother Peter Aykroyd. Long-time writer and sometime performer Jim Downey is former cast member Robert Downey, Jr.'s uncle. James Belushi (also known as Jim Belushi) (born June 15, 1954) is an American film and television actor. ... John Adam Belushi (January 24, 1949 – March 5, 1982) was an Emmy Award-winning American comedian, actor and musician, notable for his work on Saturday Night Live, National Lampoons Animal House and The Blues Brothers. ... William James Bill Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an Academy Award-nominated, Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-winning American comedian and actor. ... Brian Doyle-Murray (born October 31, 1945) is an American comedian, screenwriter and character actor from Chicago. ... Daniel Edward Aykroyd CM (born July 1, 1952) is an Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning Canadian/American comedian, actor, screenwriter, and musician. ... See also: 1978 in television, other events of 1979, 1980 in television, and the list of years in television. For the United States network television schedule, please see 1979-80 United States network television schedule. ... Peter Hugh Aykroyd was born to Lorraine and Peter Aykroyd in Canada. ... Jim Downey (sometimes credited as James Downey) is probably best known for his time as a writer for Saturday Night Live. ... Robert John Downey, Jr. ...

Other family connections exist that do not share the same name. For instance, cast member Gilda Radner was briefly married to G.E. Smith, who later became the show's bandleader. Michael O'Donoghue was married to SNL band pianist Cheryl Hardwick. Cast members Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Brad Hall were an item during their tenure, and were married in 1987. Cast member and writer Tina Fey is married to musical director Jeff Richmond. Gilda Susan Radner (28 June 1946 – 20 May 1989) was an American comedienne and actress, best known for her five years as part of the original cast of the NBC comedy series Saturday Night Live. ... He was the lead guitarist in the band Hall N Oates. ... Michael ODonoghue (born January 5, 1940, Sauquoit, New York, United States; died November 8, 1994) was a 20th century writer and performer noted for his dark and destructive style of comedy, and as the first head writer of the highly influential American television program Saturday Night Live. ... This article is about the American actress. ... Hall anchoring Weekend Update Brad Hall (born March 21, 1958, Santa Barbara, California) is an American writer and actor, best known as a Saturday Night Live news anchor on Saturday Night News. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ... Elizabeth Stamatina Tina Fey (born May 18, 1970) is an Emmy-winning American writer, comedian and actress. ... Jeffrey Jeff Richmond (born January 7, 1960) is an American composer, actor and television producer. ...

Although cast members Brad Hall, Rich Hall and Anthony Michael Hall share the same last name, they are not related. Hall anchoring Weekend Update Brad Hall (born March 21, 1958, Santa Barbara, California) is an American writer and actor, best known as a Saturday Night Live news anchor on Saturday Night News. ... Rich Hall (born 1954 in Waxhaw, North Carolina) is an American comedian and writer. ... Michael Anthony Thomas Charles Hall (born April 14, 1968), known professionally as Anthony Michael Hall, is an American actor, producer and director who achieved stardom in several successful teen-oriented films of the 1980s. ...

Saturday Night Live Curse

Although SNL is well-known as the launchpad for many successful careers, a few cast members (and active crew members) have died prematurely. This has given rise to a superstition known as the "Saturday Night Live Curse".^[1][2][3]

Two cast members have died due to drug overdoses, in parallel situations. Both Chris Farley, deceased December 18, 1997, and John Belushi, deceased March 5, 1982, overdosed from a "speedball," an injection of cocaine and heroin. Farley's death occurred nearly two months after he came back to host SNL, which turned out to be his last television appearance. Belushi's death lead to the conviction of "friend" Cathy Smith for administering the fatal injection. Nearly four years prior to Belushi's death, SNL aired a short sketch titled Don't Look Back In Anger featuring an elderly John Belushi as the last living of the "not ready for prime time" cast members. Christopher Crosby Farley (February 15, 1964 – December 18, 1997) was an American actor and comedian. ... is the 352nd day of the year (353rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... John Adam Belushi (January 24, 1949 – March 5, 1982) was an Emmy Award-winning American comedian, actor and musician, notable for his work on Saturday Night Live, National Lampoons Animal House and The Blues Brothers. ... This article is about the day. ... Year 1982 (MCMLXXXII) was a common year starting on Friday (link displays the 1982 Gregorian calendar). ... The term drug overdose (or simply overdose) describes the ingestion or application of a drug or other substance in quantities greater than are recommended or generally practiced. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Born Cathy Evelyn Smith in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada,[1] Cathy Smiths earliest mention is in the autobiography of Levon Helm of The Band. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ...

Yep, they all thought I'd be the first to go. I was one of those live-fast, die-young, leave-a-good-looking-corpse types, you know?

—John Belushi

Cast member Gilda Radner, deceased May 20, 1989, succumbed to ovarian cancer after a long struggle. Radner was scheduled to host the last episode of season 13 (1987-1988), a first for a former female cast member, but the show was cancelled due to a writer's strike. Her condition worsened until a year later, when Steve Martin hosted the last episode of the 1988-1989 season (Season 14). Shortly before the episode, news came of Radner's death, and Martin's visibly shaken monologue now introduced a sketch called "Dancing in the Dark" that he performed with Radner on an episode he hosted in 1978, followed by a musical tribute to Radner performed by her former husband G.E. Smith and the SNL Band. Repertory player Danitra Vance, deceased August 21, 1994, died due to breast cancer. Gilda Susan Radner (28 June 1946 – 20 May 1989) was an American comedienne and actress, best known for her five years as part of the original cast of the NBC comedy series Saturday Night Live. ... is the 140th day of the year (141st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Ovarian cancer is a malignant tumor (a kind of neoplasm) located on an ovary. ... He was the lead guitarist in the band Hall N Oates. ... Danitra Vance (July 13, 1959 - August 21, 1994) was an actress best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live during the 1985-86 season. ... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ...

Michael O'Donoghue, deceased November 8, 1994, died of a cerebral hemorrhage; the cast member and writer long suffered from severe chronic migraine headaches. Bill Murray honored his memory in an appearance on the season 20 (1994-1995) episode (hosted by Sarah Jessica Parker with musical guest R.E.M.) by replaying O'Donoghue's sketch, "Mr. Mike's Least Loved Bedtime Stories: The Soiled Kimono" from December 1977. Michael ODonoghue (born January 5, 1940, Sauquoit, New York, United States; died November 8, 1994) was a 20th century writer and performer noted for his dark and destructive style of comedy, and as the first head writer of the highly influential American television program Saturday Night Live. ... is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... A intracranial hemorrhage is a bleed into the substance of the cerebrum. ... William James Bill Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an Academy Award-nominated, Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-winning American comedian and actor. ... Sarah Jessica Parker (born March 25, 1965) is an American actress and producer, with a portfolio of television, movie, and theater performances. ... R.E.M. is an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia in 1980 by Bill Berry (drums), Peter Buck (guitar), Mike Mills (bass guitar), and Michael Stipe (vocals). ...

Long-time performer Phil Hartman, deceased May 28, 1998, was shot and killed while sleeping by his wife, Brynn. Before committing the act, she consumed a combination of alcohol, cocaine and the prescription drug Zoloft. She later shot herself. Phil Hartman (born as Philip Edward Hartmann) (September 23, 1948 – May 28, 1998) was a Canadian-American Emmy Award-winning actor, voice artist, comedian, graphic artist and writer. ... is the 148th day of the year (149th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Brynn Hartman (born Vicki Jo Omdahl) (April 11, 1958 – May 28, 1998) was the wife and murderer of actor and comedian Phil Hartman. ... Alcoholic beverages An alcoholic beverage is a drink containing ethanol, commonly known as alcohol, although in chemistry the definition of alcohol includes many other compounds. ... Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. ... Sertraline hydrochloride (Zoloft®, Lustral®, Apo-Sertral®, Asentra®, Gladem®, Serlift®, Stimuloton®) is an orally administered antidepressant of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) type. ...

Doumanian-era performer Charles Rocket was found deceased by local police in his Canterbury, Connecticut backyard on October 7, 2005. The death was ruled a suicide; Rocket had allegedly taken his own life by cutting his neck with a pair of box-cutters. Charles Rocket, born Charles Adams Claverie (August 24, 1949 – October 7, 2005), was an American film and television actor, most notable for his tenure as a cast member on Saturday Night Live as well as for his appearances as the villain Nicholas Andre in the film Dumb & Dumber and Adam... Canterbury is a town located in Windham County, Connecticut. ... is the 280th day of the year (281st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Suicide (disambiguation). ...

Survivor

Julia Sweeney was diagnosed with cervical cancer in the mid-1990s, but has survived and transformed her experiences into a one-woman show, God Said, Ha!, developed at LA's alternative comedy show, "Un-Cabaret". Miramax released the film version of the show in 1998, produced by Quentin Tarantino. The film version of the play earned the Golden Space Needle Award, while Sweeney's recording earned her a Grammy nomination for best comedy album. It was released on DVD in 2003. Julia Sweeney (born October 10, 1959 in Spokane, Washington) is an American actress and comedian who lives in Hollywood, California. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Un-Cabaret is a Los Angeles based alternative comedy organization that produces live, TV and multi-media projects, workshops and events. ... Miramax is a Big Ten film distribution and production company. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... Quentin Jerome Tarantino (born March 27, 1963) is a Palme dOr-winning American film director, actor, and an Oscar winning screenwriter. ... The Golden Space Needle is an audience-chosen award, given out to the most popular movie during the Seattle International Film Festival. ...

Contracts

SNL received some negative publicity in 1999 when it was leaked that, henceforth, actors joining the show would have to agree in their five-to-six year contract that, upon request, they would act in up to three movies by SNL Films, for fees of US$75,000, US$150,000, and then US$300,000; and also that, upon request, they would leave SNL and act in an NBC sitcom for up to an additional six years. This appeared to be a reaction to former cast members such as Adam Sandler and Mike Myers going on to movie stardom. Adam Richard Sandler (born September 9, 1966) is an American comedian, actor, musician, screenwriter, and film producer. ... This article is about the actor. ...

Some agents and managers characterized these long-term contracts as involuntary servitude, saying that almost any young, undiscovered comic would immediately agree to any given set of exploitative contractual restrictions for the opportunity to launch a career via the show. NBC publicly defended the new contracts, saying that SNL was doing a service to young comics by launching so many careers.

Jay Mohr reported in Gasping for Airtime: Two Years in the Trenches of Saturday Night Live (ISBN 1-4013-0006-5), that his starting salary of his 5 year deal was US$5,500 per episode (in 1994) plus $1,500 for his writing credit. The following year's salary was $6,500 per episode, up to $12,500 for a 5th year tenured player. Jay Mohr Jay Mohr (born August 23, 1970) is a Caucasian American actor and stand-up comedian. ...

See also

• Bad Boys of SNL

The Bad Boys of SNL, also known as the Slap Pack, is a group of actors who often performed together on Saturday Night Live. ...

References