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    These 20 "SNL" Cast Members Easily Beat Out All Those Before And After Them

    So many great talents have passed through the Saturday Night Live cast that it's truly hard to rank the best of the best

    Angela Andaloro
    by Angela Andaloro

    BuzzFeed Contributor

    Saturday Night Live is a major institution in comedy. And while it may not be everyone's ~thing~, there's no denying it has spawned some serious talent.

    Rachel Dratch, Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Darrell Hammond, Will Forte, Chris Parnell, Fred Armisen, Jimmy Fallon, Finesse Mitchell, Horatio Sanz, and Kenan Thompson
    Dana Edelson / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

    SNL's brightest talent have dominated screens big and small, taken the stage by storm, and even conquered late night.

    NBC / Via giphy.com

    Of all the talents to come and go from Studio 8H, these 20 are truly the best of the best.

    NBC / Via giphy.com

    20. Cheri Oteri

    Will Ferrell as Craig Buchanan, Cheri Oteri as Arianna during "Basketball Game" skit on December 16, 1995
    Norman Ng / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

    Cheri Oteri may not have followed up her time on SNL (1995–2000) with a major career like so many others, but there's no denying the mark she left on the show. She shined opposite Will Ferrell as a Spartan cheerleader while also nailing impersonations like Barbara Walters and Mariah Carey.

    19. Mike Myers

    Mike Myers as Wayne Campbell, Dana Carvey as Garth Algar during the "Wayne's World" skit on February 17, 1990
    Alan Singer / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

    While most people remember Mike Myer's time on SNL for Wayne's World, the Canadian comic had a whole repertoire of memorable characters, including the hosts of "Coffee Talk" and "Sprockets" during his tenure from 1989–1995.

    18. Bill Hader

    Bill Hader as Stefon, Seth Meyers during "Weekend Update"
    Dana Edelson / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

    Bill Hader truly made a name for himself during his time on the SNL cast from 2005–2013. He was Emmy-nominated for his talented impressions and hilarious writing, torpedoing his TV and film career in the years since.

    17. Chevy Chase

    Chevy Chase during "Weekend Update"
    Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

    Chevy Chase was only on Saturday Night Live for one season (1975–1976), but only because he broke out in a big way. He memorably served as the first "Weekend Update" anchor.

    16. Molly Shannon

    Molly Shannon as Mary Katherine Gallaher, Will Ferrell as emcee during the 'Fresh Face Modeling Contest' skit on February 24, 1996
    Al Levine / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

    Molly Shannon mastered the art of making obnoxious, over-the-top characters likable enough to want to see more — from Mary Katherine Gallagher to Sally O'Malley — from 1995–2001.

    15. Jan Hooks

    Jan Hooks as Dee Kelly and Nora Dunn as Linda Dano during "Attitudes" skit on November 18, 1989
    Raymond Bonar / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

    From 1986–1991, Jan Hooks was an incredible presence on the cast. Her range of impressions were serious, taking on both Hilary Clinton and Sinead O'Connor. 

    14. Norm MacDonald

    Norm MacDonald during the 'Weekend Update' skit on April 15, 1995
    Al Levine / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

    Norm Macdonald stands out as one of the biggest wildcards in SNL history, not afraid to push the envelope during a live show. His time on the show, particularly the end of it, was controversial but there's no questioning his impact on the show.

    13. Maya Rudolph

    Maya Rudolph as Oprah Winfrey during the "Oprah" skit on February 7, 2004
    Mary Ellen Matthews / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

    Maya Rudolph was wildly underrated for what she brought to the SNL cast, between her musical talents, a knack for impressions, and unforgettable original characters. She consistently brought the laughs — and caused more than one guest host to break mid-scene — from 2000–2007.

    12. Bill Murray

    Paul Shaffer, Bill Murray as Nick Summers during the 'Nick Summers' skit on April 16, 1977
    Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

    Bill Murray joined the cast during Season 2 in 1997, replacing Chevy Chase, and staying on through Season 5 in 1980. Murray's run on the show put him opposite other SNL greats like Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, and John Belushi for some unforgettable late-night TV.

    11. Dana Carvey

    Dana Carvey as Church Lady during "Church Chat" skit
    Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

    Dana Carvey was an SNL staple and from 1986 to 1993, he helped bring some unforgettable original characters. Some of his best work may not center him in the sketch, but it anchors the performance overall nonetheless.

    10. Phil Hartman

    Phil Hartman as Michael Eisner during "A Message from Michael Eisner" skit on October 02, 1993
    Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

    Phil Hartman was a mainstay of the SNL cast from 1986–1994 and won an Emmy for his writing on the show. Hartman's characters and impressions made him a solid comedic presence, particularly during his time impersonating Bill Clinton.

    9. Darrell Hammond

    Darrell Hammond as Sean Connery during "Jeopardy!" skit on December 16, 2000
    Dana Edelson / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

    Darrell Hammond was the longest-running SNL castmate from 1995–2009 until Kenan Thompson recently broke his record. In that time, he did an immeasurable amount for the show, from blending into backgrounds to bringing scene-stealing laughs.

    8. Tina Fey

    Tina Fey during "Weekend Update" on December 16, 2000
    Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

    Tina Fey shaped a lot of what SNL did in the 2000s as a head writer and one of the show's prominent talents from 2000–2006. Some of her best moments were behind the "Weekend Update" desk opposite late-night hosts-to-be Jimmy Fallon and Seth Meyers.

    7. Jane Curtin

    Jane Curtin does the Weekend Update in a "Saturday Night Live" skit
    Owen Franken - Corbis / Corbis via Getty Images

    Jane Curtin played the perfect straight woman, which set the scene for the more explosive types she often shared the stage with. She was an integral and underrated part of the show's first five seasons, 1975–1980.

    6. Gilda Radner

    Gilda Radner as Roseanne Roseannadanna during "Weekend Update" sketch on April 7, 1979
    Nbc / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

    Gilda Radner masterfully illustrated the possibilities of quirky comedy through the first five seasons of SNL. Her parodies were unlike any other and created iconic moments throughout the show's foundational years.

    5. Will Ferrell

    Will Ferrell as Gene Frenkle, Christopher Walken as Bruce Dickinson during "Behind the Music" skit on April 8, 2000
    Mary Ellen Matthews / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

    It's hard to describe the magic Will Ferrell brought to the SNL cast from 1995–2002. He seemed to work seamlessly with everyone in the fluid cast throughout his time and was in many a scene where multiple actors broke character. 

    4. John Belushi

    john belushi on SNL
    NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

    John Belushi is one of the SNL GOATs and it's not even a question. His characters have penetrated pop culture and the relevance of his comedy influenced some of today's most popular comedic figures. 

    3. Dan Aykroyd

    Jane Curtin as Prymaat Conehead, Dan Aykroyd as Beldar Conehead, Laraine Newman as Connie Conehead during the 'The Coneheads At Home' skit on January 15, 1977
    Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

    Dan Aykroyd was among the SNL OGs, both in front of and behind the camera. He easily complimented so many other major talents on the show and made for unforgettable characters from Coneheads to Blues Brothers and Wild and Crazy Guys.

    2. Eddie Murphy

    Eddie Murphy during the 'Weekend Update' on December 13, 1980
    Nbc / NBCUniversal via Getty Images

    Eddie Murphy joined the SNL cast at just 19 years old in 1980 and was a major factor in bringing the show out of its slump era. Characters like Buckwheat and Mr. Robertson, and impressions that ranged from Stevie Wonder to Bill Cosby, helped bring the show back while also helping launch Murphy into the megastar many know and love today.

    1. Chris Farley

    Chris Rock as Onski, Chris Farley as B Fats during the 'I'm Chillin'' skit on December 2, 1991
    Raymond Bonar / NBCU Photo Bank / NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images

    Chris Farley's comedy from seasons 16–20 (1990–1995) was truly unforgettable. He was arguably the best physical comic of the show's run so far, bringing remarkable energy to a sometimes mellow or cynical show. Even those who tune into SNL for brainy social commentary could appreciate Farley's brand of comedy.

    Your top twenty may vary, so tell us what yours looks like in the comments!

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