11 Funniest SNL Cast Members Who Joined the Show in the 2010s

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As I delve into the world of Saturday Night Live (SNL), I find myself utterly captivated by the sheer talent and versatility of these comedic titans. Among them, Aidy Bryant, who joined the cast in 2012, has left an indelible mark on my heart with her wit, charm, and unforgettable characters.

For numerous decades, Saturday Night Live has served as a stepping stone for countless comedians. Notable figures such as Bill Murray, Adam Sandler, Amy Poehler, among others, kick-started their careers on this renowned platform. While some gained fame through their physical humor, like Will Ferrell, others captivated audiences with their clever and witty remarks, such as the comedians Jason Sudeikis (from Ted Lasso) and Tina Fey (creator of Mean Girls).

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at the exceptional lineup of SNL alumni throughout the years. Each passing decade has introduced its own distinctive troupe of comedy geniuses. In the 2010s, the mantle of SNL was gracefully handed over from legends like Kristen Wiig, Will Forte, and Fred Armisen to fresh talents such as Cecily Strong and Kate McKinnon. Though some moved on to new ventures while others continued their journey, they all shared a common thread: the privilege of working alongside the iconic ‘Good Burger’ star, Kenan Thompson.

11 Taran Killam

Cast Member 2010-2016

As a passionate movie buff, I must say that before gracing the stage of Saturday Night Live, Taran Killam was no stranger to the world of sketch comedy. In his debut year itself, he proved to be an integral part of the team, leaving a lasting impression. One moment that truly stood out for me was when he impersonated Brad Pitt on Weekend Update. Though his impression wasn’t flawless, his spot-on body language sent shivers down my spine.

Fun in Sketches and Hilarious on Weekend Update

Among Killam’s most popular recurring characters is none other than 1860s newspaper critic Jebidiah Atkinson, who first appeared in 2013. This character swiftly won over fans with his endless supply of comedic negative reviews, leaving newspapers in tatters during Weekend Update segments. Over the years, Jebidiah has proven to be one of Killam’s best characters, but it’s difficult not to remember the catchy and silly dance routine known as The Legend of Mokiki and the Sloppy Swish.

10 Bowen Yang

Cast Member 2019-present

In this group, Bowen Yang recently joined as the newest addition. Significantly, he is the first Chinese-American and third openly gay cast member in the show’s history. However, Yang’s historic milestones on SNL don’t stop there. During his debut season on television, Yang made headlines by being the first featured performer to receive a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Keeping the Spirit of SNL Moving Forward

As a devoted cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at the early brilliance of this guy named Yang. Though his cinematic journey is still fresh and green, he’s already left an indelible mark on comedy enthusiasts everywhere – especially with his spot-on portrayal of the bumbling Chinese Trade Minister Chen Biao during Weekend Update discussions about China’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

9 Leslie Jones

Cast Member 2014-2019

Similar to numerous former Saturday Night Live (SNL) performers, Leslie Jones initially found her footing with SNL as a writer, eventually ascending to become a regular cast member in 2014. At that time, Jones was 47 years old, marking her as the oldest individual ever to be inducted into the SNL cast. Despite only spending five seasons on SNL, she left an indelible impact with many unforgettable moments.

Age Doesn’t Matter on Saturday Night Live

Jones is likely to be fondly recalled for her stints on Weekend Update. During these appearances, she delivered several hilarious stand-up comedy routines about contemporary topics. Notably, one of her most outstanding performances was a sketch titled Naked and Afraid, featuring Peter Dinklage from Game of Thrones. Indeed, it’s as amusing as you might imagine.

8 Jay Pharoah

Cast Member 2010-2016

Jay Pharoah, renowned for his knack for impersonations, swiftly established his reputation following his joining SNL in 2010. Pharaoh might well be the closest we’ll ever encounter to a mimic bird on television. His impersonations of former president Barack Obama, Denzel Washington, Eddie Murphy, and Stephen A. Smith are all iconic.

The G.O.A.T. of Impressions

Although Pharaoh is widely recognized as SNL’s top impressionist, it seems that he isn’t generally remembered for collaborative skits with other cast members. It feels as though they struggled to find ways to utilize Pharoah beyond his impression skills. Nevertheless, he did share some side-splitting moments with his fellow actors, such as the time he played Apollo in a sketch where the Greek Gods attempted to tackle the Greek bank crisis.

7 Vanessa Bayer

Cast Member 2010-2017

From the class of 2010, Vanessa Bayer swiftly gained popularity among fellow students. In her second appearance, she introduced one of her initial recurring sketches, where she portrayed Miley Cyrus in The Miley Cyrus Show. According to Bayer, her portrayal of Cyrus was “quite impressive.” Additionally, Bayer had another recurring sketch, co-hosting The J Pop America Fun Time Show with Terran Killam. In this sketch, they played two boisterous and uninformed college students who were overly fond of Japanese pop culture.

Featured Member Becomes Instant SNL Star

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I’ve got to give credit where it’s due. Not only did Miley Cyrus leave an indelible mark on Saturday Night Live (SNL), but so did Kate McKinnon. She frequently brought Hillary Clinton to life on the show, and her portrayal of Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green from Friends became a viral sensation. The popularity of this impression was such that SNL itself invited Jennifer Aniston onto the stage to engage with McKinnon in a humorous confrontation about it.

6 Michael Che

Cast Member 2013-present

2014 marked the time when Michael Che assumed Cecily Strong’s role as co-anchor for Weekend Update, making him the first African-American to share this responsibility in the comedy news segment. Prior to taking over Weekend Update, Che was a rising talent among the writers for SNL. Even during his tenure on Update, he continued climbing the ranks until he became the head writer.

Putting Dark Humor in the Spotlight

Che is particularly known for his joke swap routine with Colin Jost on SNL. Basically, each writes jokes for the other to read live, with Che often surprising Jost with racially charged humor that leaves the audience roaring like a group of hyenas. Over time, Che consistently pushes the boundaries of this recurring sketch.

5 Colin Jost

Cast Member 2014-present

Since 2014, Michael Che’s co-host on Weekend Update, Colin Jost, has been at the helm of the comedy news segment. Similar to Che and Leslie Jones, Jost previously worked as a writer for the program before ascending to Weekend Update. Additionally, Jost has held the role of head writer for the show on two separate occasions.

Michael Che’s Partner in Crime

In a different wording, Jost’s impact on Weekend Update is recognized as the “joke swap” segment that viewers eagerly await each year on SNL. Although Jost often finds himself losing the joke swap, he still delivers some unforgettable quips. However, his most notable jest was when he had Che challenge Kendrick Lamar following his altercation with Drake. Che’s apprehension was a sight to behold, and even after delivering the punchline, Che respectfully tipped his hat to Jost, marking the first time Jost outshone him.

4 Pete Davidson

Cast Member 2014-2022

In 2014, Pete Davidson made history by joining the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL) at a relatively young age, placing him as the fourth-youngest comedian to ever be part of the show. While he was known for his strong supporting roles, he wasn’t typically recognized for creating recurring characters or doing impressions on SNL. However, it’s essential to mention that his character “Chad” resonated deeply with fans, and his portrayal of Adam Sandler as “Little Nicky” left audiences spellbound.

The King of Roasting Himself

Pete’s impact on the show is undeniably his segments on Weekend Update. Here, he delivered his witty, dark humor about ongoing events. However, as his tenure neared its end, it was his jabs at his romantic involvements with celebrities such as Ariana Grande, Kate Beckinsale, and Kim Kardashian that gained widespread attention online. Pete had no qualms about poking fun at people, including himself, on live television. Once, he crossed a line, but he rectified it in the most humorous fashion. After mocking U.S. Representative Lt. Dan Crenshaw’s eye patch, which he lost during military service, SNL invited Crenshaw onto the show so Pete could personally apologize and give Crenshaw an opportunity to return the favor by roasting Pete on Weekend Update.

3 Cecily Strong

2012-2022

Beginning her tenure in 2012, Cecily Strong quickly shone like a star. Despite not always being the main focus of a sketch, she skillfully made an impact with the screen time provided. Strong rose to become one of the most acclaimed comedians on the show during the 2010s, garnering multiple Emmy nominations. Her tenure proved to be the longest among any female cast member in SNL, and she even held Weekend Anchor status alongside Seth Meyers for a brief period.

One of the Best Rookie Seasons on SNL

Among Strong’s most popular skits is her co-hosting of “The Girlfriend’s Talk Show” alongside fellow cast member Aidy Bryant. While some might find her nasal impression of a teen host slightly grating, it’s hard not to laugh when she employs teenage jargon or uses “awesome” to keep the show going. Strong also introduced one of her most beloved recurring characters, “The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation with at the Party.” This character was an accurate portrayal of clueless activists and quickly became popular due to Strong’s skill in political satire. The character made five appearances on Weekend Update during her first season on SNL, which is quite remarkable for a newcomer.

2 Aidy Bryant

Cast Member 2012-2022

2012 graduate Aidy Bryant stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the more renowned cast members and demonstrated she was destined for stardom herself. Similar to other alumni from Saturday Night Live (SNL), Bryant initially joined as a supporting actor but quickly garnered such a strong fan following that she was elevated to a regular role during her second season. Additionally, Bryant received several Emmy nominations while working on SNL.

Bringing the Heat Every Weekend

Similar to Cecily Strong, Bryant experienced significant success during her first season – particularly when they co-starred in The Girlfriend’s Talk Show. However, Bryant also gained attention for several impersonations of U.S. politicians that became viral sensations. One such impression was Sarah Huckabee Sanders as White House Press Secretary, although it wasn’t flawless, her self-assured demeanor and comedic delivery were spot on. The Bryant’s portrayal of Ted Cruz might be one of the most memorable cross-dressing moments in SNL. Furthermore, Bryant’s characterization of Melanie, the girl smitten with her friend’s father, is also incredibly funny and unforgettable.

1 Kate McKinnon

Cast Member 2012-2022

Kate McKinnon is a comedian who can bring laughter to someone just by flashing them a smile. She joined Saturday Night Live (SNL) during Season 37, although Lorne Michaels might have wanted her as a cast member earlier on. By the start of the following season, McKinnon had garnered her first Emmy nomination, and she eventually won her first in 2015. Her time on SNL significantly boosted her career. Since then, she has taken roles in films such as “Barbie” alongside Margot Robbie and “Ghostbusters” alongside fellow SNL alumnae Kristen Wiig and Melissa McCarthy.

One of the Best Comedians in SNL History

McKinnon truly excels in the realm of sketch comedy, delivering a wealth of amusing impressions to audiences during her tenure on SNL. Among these were Hillary Clinton, Justin Bieber, and Ellen DeGeneres. We could detail countless viral moments featuring McKinnon, but her impact is perhaps best encapsulated by her recurring character, Colleen Rafferty, a woman who discusses bizarre paranormal experiences during panels. This character consistently manages to make even the most stoic cast members crack up on SNL. There’s no denying that when cast members can elicit such laughter from their colleagues, they are definitely on the right track.

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2024-11-06 05:32