‘Saturday Night Live’: 25 biggest careers by ‘SNL’ cast members [PHOTOS]

Even if the first season had been its only season, “Saturday Night Live” still would have earned a place in TV history. The series’ original cast, know as “The Not Ready for Prime-Time Players,” launched the careers of John Belushi, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Garrett Morris, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin and Laraine Newman. In the almost 50 years since, “SNL” has jumpstarted the careers of many of the greatest comedians of each generation, including Bill Murray (who joined in Season 2), Dana Carvey, Eddie Murphy, Mike Myers, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Kristen Wiig, and Tina Fey – just to name a few – and led to films based on sketches from the series, such as “The Blues Brothers” (1980) and “Wayne’s World” (1992).

In 1975, Lorne Michaels (with Dick Ebersol and Herb Schlosser) created a variety sketch series that focused on satirical and high-concept comedy sketches performed live by young unknown comedians, as well as live musical performances, with the goal of attracting a young adult audience. Originally titled “NBC’s Saturday Night” to avoid confusion with ABC’s short-lived “Saturday Night Live with Howard Cosell,” Michaels’ series soon became popular for its cutting-edge humor and off-the-wall characters like Roseanne Roseannadanna and the Coneheads.

Despite legendary behind-the-scenes “bad” behavior, including drug use, as well as a few less-than-stellar seasons, “SNL” is one of the awarded and beloved series of all time. Celebrating its 49th anniversary this October, “SNL” is currently the longest-running American sketch comedy show, as well as the second-longest-running variety show in American TV history. As of 2024, “SNL” holds the record for most Emmy wins and nominations – not just for a variety series, but the most for any type of programming, with 101 victories. Michaels is the record holder for most-nominated individual, with 106, and has won 21. With that record, it’s no wonder that so many comedians who received their start on “SNL” have found further success once they leave, with many cast members going on to star in some of the most critically and commercially successful comedy films and series over the past half century, with some, like Fey, Bill Hader and Jason Sudeikis creating Emmy-winning TV programs, and many earning accolades throughout their careers.

Tour our alphabetical photo gallery above featuring the 25 most successful alumni who have come to us “Live from New York, (on) Saturday Night!” over the past half century. We’ve only included cast members who starred in a least one full season, so comedians like Ben Stiller (4 episodes in 1989) and Damon Wayans (11 episodes from 1985-1986) do not appear.