Saturday Night Live: the best characters in its history

SNL has been a staple of American comedy for decades, known for its sharp satire, live musical performances, and, most importantly, a revolving door of unforgettable characters. While there are dozens of hilarious characters, here are 25 of the very best.

Played by Rachel Dratch, this character has a knack for bringing down the mood of any joyful occasion with her depressing tidbits, such as announcing the death of her birth mother at Disney World. The audible wah-wah and the cast members' struggle to maintain composure make her skits stand out.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

This city correspondent for 'Weekend Update,' played by Bill Hader, offers advice on New York's hottest clubs. His descriptions are outlandishly funny, covering everything from human parking cones to an impromptu appearance by 'Fat Sajak.' His inability to keep a straight face, caused by the writers’ slipping in absurd jokes at the last minute, adds to the hilarity.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

"I'm Brian Fellow!" Tracy Morgan’s Brian Fellow is not an accredited animal expert, but rather an enthusiastic and blissfully ignorant character who hosts 'Brian Fellow's Safari Planet.' His childlike wonder and ego-centric reactions to various wildlife never fail to amuse, as he misinterprets and oversimplifies complex animal behaviors.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Dana Carvey's judgmental, prudish character, host of 'Church Chat,' is famous for her superior attitude and the catchphrase "Well, isn't that special?" She relishes calling out guests for their so-called sins, often leading to hilarious, if not uncomfortable, moments.

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Phil Hartman brings to life a meticulous, obsessive chef, for whom cooking is less about the food and more about the process. His attention to trivial details, like the arrangement of peas or the disposal of wrappers, makes for a brilliantly neurotic character.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

As the host of 'Sprockets,' Mike Myers' German avant-garde talk show host is bizarre and emotionless. His odd questions and the iconic line, "Would you care to strike me?" highlight his strange, often uncomfortable demeanor, making for some of the most surreal comedy on SNL.

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Gilda Radner’s brash, tactless character, known for oversharing personal and inappropriate stories, became a staple of the 'Weekend Update' segment. It seems even more relevant in our days of social media. But even back then, her loud, unapologetic demeanor pushed the boundaries of comedy and made her a fan favorite.

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Kristen Wiig’s character, an overly enthusiastic and chatty cashier, finds immense joy in the most mundane retail tasks. Her misplaced enthusiasm for products and even money ("A fifty! And it’s legit!!") encapsulates her simple, yet infectious, joy for life, making every customer interaction absurdly entertaining.

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Eddie Murphy’s spoof of 'Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood' flips the script, offering a peek into an urban, less wholesome version of the beloved children's show. Murphy's charm and wit shine through, making Mr. Robinson a hilarious and iconic character.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Portrayed in the 'Celebrity Jeopardy' sketches, this exaggerated version of the Scottish actor is hilariously contentious and hopelessly inappropriate, constantly misunderstanding questions and vexing Will Ferrell's Alex Trebek. His absurd misinterpretations and cheeky retorts have turned the skits into classics - "Just the way your mother likes it, Trebek!"

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Portrayed by Will Ferrell and Chris Kattan, these club-hopping, head-bobbing brothers are desperate to rub elbows with the elite and find love. Their misguided confidence and awkward dance moves make them a delightfully cringe-worthy duo.

Will Ferrell's rendition of the famous sportscaster turns interviews into unpredictable, off-the-wall encounters. His absurd questions and bizarre tangents perfectly parody the real-life eccentricities of the beloved commentator.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

The enthusiastic and lovable metalhead from 'Wayne's World,' played by Mike Myers, turned a basement public-access TV show into a cultural phenomenon. His catchphrases and laid-back attitude made him the epitome of cool for every 90s kid. And a big shoutout to his side-kick Garth, of course!

Christopher Walken plays a suave, yet extremely creepy man in this first-person POV sketch. His attempts at seduction, complete with comments like feasting on "the banquet of your sumptuous décolletage," are humorously unsettling and quintessentially Walken. Even though he was never on the show, this is why we always look forward to him hosting.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Chris Farley's motivational speaker is down on his luck but full of misguided enthusiasm for guiding youngsters about the right life path to take. Living "in a van down by the river!" Foley's attempts to inspire kids are both pathetic and hysterical, showcasing Farley's physical comedy at its best.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Tim Meadows’ Leon Phelps, with his over-the-top afro, cheesy ’70s attire, and a glass of Courvoisier, is the epitome of a washed-up, smooth-talking radio host. Offering dubious romantic advice to listeners, his obliviousness to social cues and norms, coupled with his unwavering confidence, makes his misguided attempts at seduction a source of constant laughter.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Kate McKinnon’s character recounts her outlandish experiences with aliens with a blasé attitude, contrasting sharply with her fellow abductees' traumatic or inspiring tales. Her nonchalant descriptions and peculiar details add a wonderfully weird layer to the alien abduction trope and make her peers crack up too.

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Steve Martin and Dan Aykroyd’s Czech brothers are outlandishly flamboyant and hopelessly out of touch with American women. Their misadventures and thick accents have left a lasting comedic legacy, showcasing the duo’s impeccable timing and chemistry.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Amy Poehler and Maya Rudolph are a pair of gossiping, opinionated talk show hosts discussing their mundane lives with a thick Bronx accent. Their no-nonsense attitudes and hilarious guest interactions make for comedic gold. "It's sweat-a weath-a!"

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Adam Sandler’s opera-singing hero brings a melodramatic flair to 'Weekend Update,' crooning the news with a ridiculous yet endearing earnestness. His lyrical summaries and over-the-top expressions have made Operaman a beloved and memorable character.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Al Franken's self-help guru, famous for his affirmations, reminds everyone that "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!" His earnest advice, delivered with a tender sincerity, pokes fun at the world of self-improvement and therapy culture: "And that's ok!"

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon play NPR hosts in this sketch, famous for the 'Schweddy Balls' episode. Their deadpan delivery contrasts hilariously with the innuendo-laden dialogue, making for some of the show’s most memorably awkward moments.

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Phil Hartman's Cro-Magnon attorney uses his primitive wisdom to win cases and charm juries, claiming ignorance of the modern world while shrewdly navigating it. His catchphrase about being "just a caveman" juxtaposed with his legal acumen makes for timeless humor.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Bill Murray’s Nick the Lounge Singer brings smooth charm and sleazy charisma to his performances. Crooning and schmoozing his way through classic hits with a comical twist, his act is complete with personalized lyrics and a lounge lizard persona that's as endearing as it is out-of-date.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Molly Shannon’s quirky, awkward Catholic school girl is known for her excessive enthusiasm and unfortunate accidents. Whether she's smelling her armpits or crashing into furniture, her desperate quest for acceptance and love is both touching and hysterically over-the-top.

Image: Saturday Night Live / YouTube

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