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“Live from New York – it’s Saturday night!” This iconic phrase has been beloved by fans of Saturday Night Live since the show premiered in October 1975. For five decades, viewers have tuned in every week to witness a talented group of comedians lampooning pop culture and putting their unique twist on comedy. With celebrity hosts and musical guests adding to the mix, SNL remains a standout variety sketch show that stands apart from anything else on television.
In 2025, as the show celebrates its 50th anniversary, Peacock offers a behind-the-scenes look at the journey of Saturday Night Live with the four-part documentary series “SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night.” Fans will gain new insights into the inner workings of the show and hear from current and former cast members about the significance of SNL in their lives. With numerous seasons under its belt, SNL has served as a launching pad for many now-famous stars.
The documentary highlights 36 cast members who have graced the SNL stage over the years, from those who were there at the beginning to current names associated with the show. Take a look to see if you recognize any of these talented individuals and discover what they’ve been up to post-SNL.
Amy Poehler joined SNL in 2001 and spent eight seasons on the show before making her mark in movies and television. She is best known for her role in the NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation” from 2008 to 2015.
Andy Samberg entertained audiences with his memorable sketches on SNL from 2005 to 2012 before starring in the acclaimed series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” which ran for eight successful seasons.
Ben Marshall joined the SNL writing team in 2021 and has been a part of the show since. Alongside John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, he is a member of the comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy, known for their pre-recorded sketches featured on SNL.
Bill Hader showcased his comedic talents during his eight-season run on SNL from 2005 to 2013, including his popular portrayal of Stefon. He later found success in the series “Barry,” earning two Emmy Awards for his work.
Billy Crystal was a cast member for the 10th season of SNL (1984-1985) before achieving fame in films such as “When Harry Met Sally.” He has earned six Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, and is known as the voice of Mike Wazowski in the “Monsters, Inc.” franchise.
Bobby Moynihan endeared himself to audiences during his nine-season tenure on SNL starting in 2008. Since leaving the show in 2017, he has appeared in various TV and film projects, including “Inside Out” and “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”
Bob Odenkirk,
Conan O’Brien hosted Late Night With Conan O’Brien from 1993 to 1994 before transitioning to acting. He is best known for his portrayal of Saul Goodman/Jimmy McGill on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
Bowen Yang made his debut on SNL in 2019 and has since become a permanent cast member. He has appeared in projects like Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens and currently plays Pfannee in Wicked. Yang also co-hosts the Las Culturistas podcast with Matt Rogers.
Ceara O’Sullivan has been a writer on SNL since season 48, earning two Emmy Award nominations for her work. She hinted on Instagram that she contributed to the viral “Domingo” sketch from October 2024.
Dana Carvey was an SNL cast member for seven seasons, from 1986 to 1993, receiving five Emmy Award nominations. He is known for his character Garth Algar from the “Wayne’s World” sketch, which inspired a popular movie and sequel.
Fred Armisen appeared on SNL for 11 seasons from 2002 to 2013 before starring in shows like Portlandia and Schmigadoon!. He also served as a band leader and drummer on Late Night With Seth Meyers.
Griffin Dunne hosted an episode of SNL in 1986 and later played the older Nicky Pearson on This Is Us from 2018 to 2022.
Jason Sudeikis showcased his comedic talent on SNL from 2005 to 2013 before creating and starring in the acclaimed series Ted Lasso.
Jim Downey wrote for SNL starting in 1976 and had one of the longest tenures in the show’s history, spanning over 30 seasons before retiring in 2013.
Jimmy Fallon appeared on SNL from 1998 to 2004, transitioning from various roles to co-hosting Weekend Update. He later hosted Late Night With Jimmy Fallon and The Tonight Show.
John Mulaney was a writer on SNL from 2008 to 2013, famously creating the character Stefon for Bill Hader. He has hosted SNL six times and gained recognition for his stand-up comedy.
Jon Lovitz was a cast member on SNL from 1985 to 1990, earning two Emmy Award nominations. He later appeared in movies like A League of Their Own and guest-starred on various TV shows.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared on SNL from 1982 to 1985.
Lia Louis-Dreyfus showcased her comedic talent on SNL before gaining fame for her roles as Elaine Benes on Seinfeld, Christine Campbell on The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Selina Meyer on Veep.
Keith Raywood, a production designer on SNL since 1985, is also involved in designing for other TV shows like Lip Sync Battle, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and 30 Rock.
Kenan Thompson, the longest-running cast member on SNL since 2003, is known for his roles in All That, Kenan and Kel, as well as movies like Fat Albert and Good Burger. He also starred in his own sitcom, Kenan, from 2021 to 2022.
Kevin Nealon starred on SNL from 1986 to 1995, notably working on the Weekend Update desk and later collaborating with Adam Sandler on various films. He later appeared in the Showtime series Weeds.
Lorne Michaels, a pivotal figure in the creation of SNL, has been nominated for 21 Emmy Awards and holds the record for the most Emmy nominations in history.
Molly Shannon entertained audiences on SNL for seven seasons from 1995 to 2001 before transitioning to roles in shows like The White Lotus and films such as Never Been Kissed and Serendipity.
Nora Dunn was a cast member on SNL from 1985 to 1990 before appearing on shows like The Nanny, Chicago Med, New Girl, and Home Economics.
Pete Davidson, a beloved cast member for eight seasons from 2014 to 2022, is known for his acting in Bupkis and The King of Staten Island, as well as his stand-up comedy.
Rachel Dratch entertained SNL audiences for seven seasons from 1999 to 2006, portraying memorable characters like “Debbie Downer” and appearing in various political sketches. She has also starred in movies like Sisters and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry and TV shows like Portlandia and 30 Rock.
Robert Downey Jr.’s brief stint on SNL in the 1985-1986 season marked the beginning of a successful acting career that led to an Oscar win in 2024 for his role in Oppenheimer. Known for his portrayal of Tony Stark/Iron Man in the Marvel movies, he is set to return to the MCU.
In the cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’ (SNL), Robert Smigel was a prominent figure from 1985 to 2013, serving in various roles such as writer, show producer, and occasional actor. Noteworthy was his portrayal of SNL creator Lorne Michaels in the animated sketch “TV Funhouse: Anatominals” in 2002.
Sarah Silverman’s brief stint on SNL during the 1993-1994 season catapulted her into a successful career. Following her time on the show, she went on to star in her own TV series, “The Sarah Silverman Program,” and feature in movies like “School of Rock” and “Battle of the Sexes.” Additionally, she lent her voice to the character Vanellope von Schweetz in Disney’s “Wreck-It Ralph” franchise.
Seth Meyers captivated audiences for 13 seasons on SNL, starting in 2001. He held various roles, including head writer, featured player, and anchor for Weekend Update. Meyers later transitioned to hosting “Late Night With Seth Meyers,” garnering 11 Emmy Award nominations over the years.
Although Stephen Colbert never appeared as a cast member on SNL, he briefly worked as a freelance writer for the show. His career soared with his own shows, “The Daily Show” and “The Colbert Report,” leading to his current role as the host of “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”
Tina Fey’s impact during her six-season run on SNL from 2000 to 2006 showcased her exceptional comedic talent. Known for her work on “30 Rock” alongside fellow SNL alum Tracy Morgan, Fey’s collaboration with Amy Poehler and creation of the hit movie “Mean Girls” further solidified her influence in the entertainment industry.
Tom Hanks, a frequent host on SNL, is recognized for his versatility in acting across iconic films like “Forrest Gump,” “Saving Private Ryan,” and “The Green Mile.” Tracy Morgan, a seven-season SNL star, continued his success with roles in “30 Rock” and “The Last O.G.”, earning accolades for his performances.
Will Ferrell’s memorable seven-season tenure on SNL from 1995 to 2002 propelled him to stardom, leading to successful movie roles in films like “Elf,” “Anchorman,” and “Step Brothers.” Additionally, he ventured into production, notably contributing to the hit drama series “Succession.”
Will Stephen, a writer on SNL since 2014, has expanded his role to become one of the show’s writing supervisors. Notable sketches credited to him include the 2016 digital segment “Drake’s Beef” and the 2017 “Come Back, Barack” sketch.
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