Yahoo Lifestyle The Best Celebrity Cameos in the New 'SNL50' Documentary Series
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"Live from New York — it's Saturday night!"
This is a saying that's been well-loved by Saturday Night Live fans since the show debuted in October 1975. For half a century, viewers have tuned in every week to watch a hilarious group of comedians satirize pop culture while putting their own spin on the comedy genre. Throw in celebrity hosts and talented musical guests into the mix, and you've got yourself a variety sketch show that truly doesn't compare to anything else on TV.
As the show celebrates 50 years in 2025, Peacock is going behind the scenes of what the journey has been like for Saturday Night Live. With the 4-part documentary series SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, fans will get new details of what it was like to work there, along with the chance to hear from cast members past and present about what SNL means to them. With so many seasons, there are plenty of now-famous stars who you may not remember got their start on the show.
We're listing 36 cast members viewers will encounter when watching the docuseries, from folks who started all the way at the beginning, to names associated with SNL today. Keep reading to see who you recognize — and what they did after leaving SNL.
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Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler began her eight-season tenure on SNL back in 2001. After exiting the series in 2008, she went on to star in multiple movies and TV shows. Folks also likely recognize her for producing and starring in the cult NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation from 2008 to 2015.
Andy Samberg
Between 2005 and 2012, folks got to watch Andy Samberg perform in multiple memorable sketches on SNL. After leaving the series, he went on to star as Jake Peralta on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which achieved critical acclaim and was on the air for eight seasons.
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Ben Marshall
Ben Marshall started writing on SNL in 2021, and he's been on the show ever since. He is part of the comedy trio Please Don't Destroy with John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, and they star in pre-recorded comedy sketches that sometimes air on the series.
Bill Hader
On SNL for eight seasons (from 2005 to 2013), fans got to see Bill Hader star as multiple characters that left a legacy. Famous for portraying Stefon on the series, he has since gone on to star in the hit comedy series Barry and win two Emmy Awards for it.
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Billy Crystal
A cast member for just the 10th (1985-1985) season of SNL, Billy Crystal became a household name for starring in When Harry Met Sally. He also went on to garner six Emmy Awards and a Tony Award for his beloved work in Hollywood, and kids may also recognize him as the voice of Mike Wazowski in the Monsters, Inc. franchise.
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Bobby Moynihan
Beginning in 2008, Bobby Moynihan was a beloved SNL cast member for nine seasons. After leaving the show in 2017, he's appeared in multiple TV and movie projects like Inside Out, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and a current recurring role on NCIS: Origins.
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Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk may be a famous actor now, but he was also a writer on SNL from 1987 to 1991. After a writing stint on Late Night With Conan O'Brien from 1993 to 1994, he later made the switch to acting. He's probably most famous for portraying Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
Bowen Yang
Bowen Yang made his SNL debut in 2019, and has remained a cast member since then. Famous for starring in projects like Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, he is currently turning heads as Pfannee in Wicked. Outside of movies and TV, he also co-hosts the Las Culturistas podcast with Matt Rogers.
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Ceara O'Sullivan
A writer on SNL since season 48 (per IMDB), Ceara O'Sullivan's work has already garnered her two Emmy Award nominations. If you're wondering what some of her writing looks like, she seemingly inferred on Instagram that she had a hand in the viral "Domingo" sketch that appeared back in October 2024.
Dana Carvey
Fans may remember Dana Carvey for starring on SNL for seven seasons, from 1986 to 1993. His tenure on the show led him to receive five Emmy Award nominations, and his character Garth Algar from the "Wayne's World" sketch spawned a popular movie and sequel in the 1990s.
Fred Armisen
A cast member on SNL for 11 seasons (from 2002 to 2013), Fred Armisen went on to star in projects like Portlandia, Unstable and Schmigadoon!. He also has been a band leader and dummer on Late Night With Seth Meyers, which often sees him interacting in segments with host and fellow SNL alum Seth Meyers.
Griffin Dunne
A host on the March 15, 1986 episode of SNL, Griffin Dunne played both host and featured player for different sketches. Fans these days may recognize him for playing the older Nicky Pearson on This Is Us from 2018 to 2022.
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Jason Sudeikis
From 2005 to 2013, SNL featured the comedic chops of Jason Sudeikis. He exited the show after nine seasons and went on to gain critical acclaim for creating and starring in the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso.
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Jim Downey
Appearing on SNL for just one season in 1980, Jim Downey's tenure on the show started back in 1976. Hired initially as a writer, he went on to have one of the longest writing tenures in the show's history. He wrote for over 30 seasons on SNL before he eventually retired from the series in 2013.
Jimmy Fallon
From 1998 to 2004, folks got to see Jimmy Fallon in a number of roles on SNL. Originally starring in various sketches, he later went on to co-host Weekend Update. This kickstarted a career of hosting for him, as he went on to star on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon before taking over The Tonight Show in February 2014.
John Mulaney
John Mulaney's time on SNL started as a writer from 2008 until he left in 2013. He famously created the character Stefon for Bill Hader, and his later work in stand-up comedy led him to host SNL six times to date.
Jon Lovitz
From 1985 to 1990, fans got to see Jon Lovitz as a cast member on SNL. He was nominated for two Emmy Awards for the show, and he later starred in movies like A League of Their Own, The Benchwarmers and Hotel Transylvania. He also guest-starred on Seinfeld, New Girl and Hot in Cleveland among other TV shows.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
For three seasons (from 1982 to 1985), fans got to see Julia Louis-Dreyfus flex her comedic chops on SNL. She later went on to gain recognition for playing Elaine Banes on Seinfeld, Christine Campbell on The New Adventures of Old Christine and Selina Meyer on Veep.
Keith Raywood
A production designer on SNL, Keith Raywood has been working on the show since being hired in 1985. He is also known to collaborate on other TV design projects, including Lip Sync Battle, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and 30 Rock.
Kenan Thompson
As the longest-running SNL cast member, viewers have been watching Kenan Thompson on the show since 2003. Fans may remember him from All That and Kenan and Kel, but he also starred in movies like Fat Albert, Good Burger and its movie sequel. Additionally, he starred in his own sitcom, with Kenan airing for two seasons from 2021 to 2022.
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Kevin Nealon
Between 1986 and 1995, fans got to see Kevin Nealon star on SNL. He became one of the famed stars working the Weekend Update desk, and he later collaborated with fellow SNL alum Adam Sandler on multiple films. He later would go on to star as Doug Wilson on the Showtime series Weeds.
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Lorne Michaels
We wouldn't have SNL without the genius of Lorne Michaels! He has been a key figure in the production of the show (apart from 1980 to 1985) and he is the most nominated person in Emmy Awards history with 21 wins and 106 nominations.
Molly Shannon
For seven seasons (from 1995 to 2001), Molly Shannon brought all the funny to SNL as a cast member. She has since mixed a bit of drama into her acting work, starring in shows like The White Lotus, Only Murders in the Building and movies such as Never Been Kissed, Serendipity and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl.
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Nora Dunn
From 1985 to 1990, SNL fans got to see Nora Dunn featured as a cast member. After leaving the show, she went on to star on shows like The Nanny, Chicago Med, New Girl and Home Economics.
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Pete Davidson
A beloved cast member for eight seasons from 2014-2022, Pete Davidson was often referred to as the show's "resident young person." He is also famous for starring in Bupkis, The King of Staten Island and performing stand-up all over the country.
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Rachel Dratch
For seven seasons (from 1999 to 2006), SNL fans got to see Rachel perform in numerous hilarious sketches. She's famous for her "Debbie Downer"character, and she has also returned over the years to star in political sketches. Outside of SNL, she has starred in movies like Sisters and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. In the TV space, folks will recognize her on Portlandia, 30 Rock and in various voiceover gigs.
Robert Downey Jr.
While Robert's time on SNL was short (he starred on just one season from 1985 to 1986), it was a stepping stone to a long acting career. With a number of projects under his belt, he won an Oscar in 2024 for his role in Oppenheimer. But he's probably best known for playing Tony Stark/Iron Man in many Marvel movies, and he's set to make a comeback in the MCU.
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Robert Smigel
From 1985 to 2013, Robert Smigel wore many hats on SNL. He was primarily a writer and show producer, but he also starred in various segments over the years. He famously voiced SNL creator and producer Lorne Michaels in the "TV Funhouse: Anatominals"animated sketch in 2002.
Sarah Silverman
Though Sarah was only on SNL for one season (1993-1994), the show kickstarted an incredible career for her. Her TV series The Sarah Silverman Program ran on Comedy Central for three seasons, and she starred in movies like School of Rock and Battle of the Sexes. She also voiced Vanellope von Schweetz in Disney's Wreck-It Ralph movie franchise.
Seth Meyers
For 13 incredible seasons (from 2001 to 2014), fans saw Seth Meyers take on a number of roles. He was a head writer, featured player and later anchored Weekend Update. He eventually left the show to host Late Night With Seth Meyers, a project which has received 11 Emmy Award nominations in the last decade.
Stephen Colbert
While Stephen Colbert never starred on SNL, he did have a brief stint as a freelance writer on the show. He would later star on The Daily Show, helm his own Comedy Central series The Colbert Report and eventually become the host of The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Tina Fey
From 2000 to 2006 (six seasons), fans got to see Tina Fey's memorable her comedic timing. She has since become a renaissance woman on TV, starring as Liz Lemon on 30 Rock (which starred fellow cast member Tracy Morgan) and teaming up with SNL alum Amy Poehler on multiple projects. She's also famous for creating the movie Mean Girls, which became a box office success and later a Broadway musical.
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Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks may have not been a cast member on SNL, but he sure has quite a history with the show! The Academy Award winner is one of the most frequent hosts on the show, and he loves to pop up for cameos when he has the chance. Fans know him best for his work in Forrest Gump, Saving Private Ryan, The Green Mile and plenty of other projects.
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Tracy Morgan
Tracy Morgan was a staple on SNL from 1996 to 2003. After appearing on the show for seven seasons, he went on to star in 30 Rock and earned an Emmy Award nomination in 2009. Folks have also seen him in The Last O.G. and other guest spots on various TV shows.
Will Ferrell
For seven seasons (from 1995 to 2002), Will Ferrell was a staple cast member on SNL. After his tenure, he became a household name thanks to his movies. From Elf and Anchorman to Will and Harper and Step Brothers, he is a genius both on and off camera. And fun fact — he was also a producer on the hit drama Succession!
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Will Stephen
Will Stephen has been writing for SNL since 2014, and has since expanded his work to become one of the show's writing supervisors. He has written a number of sketches over the years, including the digital segment "Drake's Beef"in 2016 and the "Come Back, Barack"sketch in 2017.
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