According to a highly sophisticated, top-secret survey of “experts” (who are these people?), here’s a list of the best-ever SNL cast members. And honestly, if you disagree with this list…are you even watching SNL?
- Eddie Murphy
Gumby, Mr. Robinson, Buckwheat… and James Brown in a hot tub. This man pretty much carried the show on his back in the ’80s. I mean, Gumby was just a cranky green blob and somehow Eddie made that iconic. And don’t even get me started on Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood—Sesame Street wishes it had that kind of edge. - Will Ferrell
George W. Bush, Neil Diamond, and of course, Alex Trebek (the perfect straight man to Darrell Hammond’s out-of-control Sean Connery). Will Ferrell gave us pure chaos wrapped in a giant ball of lovable awkwardness. And who could forget his cheerleader days? I’m still quoting his Harry Caray impersonation—and no one seems to get it, but that’s not the point. - Chris Farley
Matt Foley—living in a van down by the river! How many times can you scream that line in everyday conversation before people start questioning your sanity? I’m still trying to find out. And his Chippendales dance-off with Patrick Swayze? You can’t unsee it (whether you want to or not). Chris Farley had this genius ability to combine physical comedy with just the right amount of wild desperation. The guy was a legend of making awkward hilarious. - Gilda Radner
One of the OGs from the 1975 cast, Gilda was known for Roseanne Roseannadanna, Barbara Walters (or “Baba Wawa”), and Emily Litella. She was pure, goofy brilliance, blending satire and silliness like no one else. Honestly, no matter how weird her characters got, you couldn’t help but love them. Plus, Baba Wawa? Talk about a spot-on parody that left a lasting mark. - Phil Hartman
The man was a master of impressions—Bill Clinton, Phil Donahue, Ed McMahon, Frank Sinatra… the list goes on. But his genius didn’t stop at impersonations. Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer, The Anal-Retentive Chef, and Frankenstein? All gold. Hartman had this uncanny ability to play the “everyman” with a twist. And you’d believe him every single time. I mean, how many people can make an overly obsessive chef actually entertaining?