As a seasoned connoisseur of comedy and music, I must say that this list is as entertaining as it is enlightening! It’s fascinating to see how some of our favorite comedians have dabbled in the world of music, whether they were playing keyboard like Chevy Chase or belting out tunes on the Oscar stage with Billy Crystal.
One standout musical performance on Saturday Night Live was delivered by The Blues Brothers, comprising Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. However, they’re not the only talented cast members to astonish audiences with their musical abilities on SNL. To fully appreciate the comedic talents who can also sing, dance, and play instruments, check out this list of musical virtuosos from the world of comedy.
Fred Armisen
On Saturday Night Live (SNL), Fred Armisen has shown off his versatility with numerous musical instruments, such as strumming the guitar as Prince, beating the drums as Fericito, and tickling the ivories as Joshua Rainhorn. Beyond Studio 8H, he also appeared in other popular sketch comedy shows like Portlandia. For a period, he even led the band on Late Night with Seth Meyers.
Maya Rudolph
Without a doubt, one of the most hilarious Saturday Night Live sketches, fronted by Maya Rudolph, features her showcasing her exceptional vocal skills as a woman who perhaps goes a tad overboard with her rendition of the National Anthem during the World Series. Notably, she also excelled as Beyoncé in the “Prince Show” skits. To mention another iconic figure, she’s part of a band called Princess, paying homage to the late artist. Interestingly, Maya had already begun her musical journey before joining SNL, serving as a keyboardist and backup vocalist for the ’90s band The Rentals.
John Belushi
John Belushi, alongside Dan Aykroyd, not only showcased their legendary act as The Blues Brothers on the Studio 8H stage, but they also signed a record deal, embarked on an acclaimed concert tour, and starred in one of the most successful SNL films under their bluesy personas, Jake and Elwood Blues. The late comedian also delivered an impressive impersonation of Joe Cocker, even sharing a stage with the “Feelin’ Alright” artist himself.
Melissa Villaseñor
Among Melissa Villaseñor’s standout performances on SNL was a stunning portrayal of Dolly Parton, yet during her early stand-up years, she showcased her vocal abilities by mimicking singers like Christina Aguilera and Britney Spears. After departing from SNL in 2022, Villaseñor has continued to display her singing prowess, as evident in her collaboration with Wolves of Glendale on the song “Life’s Better in Spanish” in 2024.
Dana Carvey
Dana Carvey first introduced his character Derek Stevens during an SNL sketch, where they performed a humorous song titled “The Lady I Know,” with the recurring line being “Chopping broccoli.” Whenever he portrayed this shallow pop star in subsequent appearances or stand-up routines, Carvey would perform the song on piano, a skill he showcased during his audition for the program.
Jimmy Fallon
Prior to taking up the role as “Weekend Update” co-host, Jimmy Fallon had a recurring segment featuring acoustic parodies of popular songs that tackled various subjects. Later, he leveraged his musical abilities in his late-night talk show hosting career and even put out several comedy albums with musical elements since then.
Eddie Murphy
In the 1980s, Eddie Murphy’s convincing portrayals of artists such as Stevie Wonder and James Brown played a significant role in reviving Saturday Night Live. Later on, it was revealed that his talent extended beyond comedic impressions, as he achieved success with the hit single “Party All the Time” during that decade. Murphy further demonstrated his versatility by earning an Oscar nomination for his performance in the 2006 musical film Dreamgirls, which he joined after leaving Saturday Night Live.
Andy Samberg
Andy Samberg, who won a Golden Globe and is renowned for his time on SNL, is additionally recognized as part of the comedy hip-hop group The Lonely Island. This trio includes Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer alongside him. Notably, many of the most popular Digital Shorts from SNL were directed by this team, with “Lazy Sunday” and “I’m On a Boat” being their music videos.
Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler frequently showcased his musical talents on “Weekend Update,” either by presenting self-composed numbers like “The Hanukkah Song” or assuming the role of Opera Man, summarizing the week’s main stories through melodies. The star of Uncut Gems has consistently incorporated music into his professional life, as seen in films such as The Wedding Singer and animated musical movie for adults, Eight Crazy Nights, as well as in his stand-up acts.
Dan Aykroyd
If it weren’t for Dan Aykroyd introducing John Belushi to blues music, the duo known as The Blues Brothers might never have graced the Studio 8H stage or achieved the level of success they did. Apart from his role as Elwood Blues, this Ghostbusters actor was also part of the chorus for the famous 1985 recording of “We Are the World.
Martin Short
Martin Short made significant musical contributions to Saturday Night Live (SNL) following his brief tenure at Studio 8H, when he would reappear as a host. Nevertheless, the comedian boasts a variety of musical achievements beyond the show, such as his Tony Award-winning role in Neil Simon’s “Little Me” and the satirical duet he performed with Steve Martin during their tour.
Kate McKinnon
Despite being more renowned for her comedic physicality and character performances, Kate McKinnon has also displayed her vocal talents on Saturday Night Live. For example, she left Ariana DeBose amazed when they sang a medley of West Side Story songs together during her hosting stint.
Christopher Guest
In his one-and-only season on Saturday Night Live, Christopher Guest made an appearance as guitarist Nigel Tufnel in one of the most renowned musical movies, the 1984 mockumentary “This Is Spinal Tap.” The fictional heavy metal band from England would later reassemble for additional live shows and album productions, such as the albums “Break Like the Wind” (1992) and “Back from the Dead” (2009).
Taran Killam
Taran Killam, who was once part of the MADtv cast, seldom got chances to sing on SNL. But he seized every chance he had to hit the right notes on Broadway, appearing in musicals such as Hamilton and Spamalot.
Ana Gasteyer
In a remarkable display of her talent, only Ana Gasteyer could captivate Celine Dion with her portrayal of the French-Canadian singing sensation that earned her an invitation to perform alongside her in a concert. Known for her comedic sketches on Saturday Night Live and musical collaborations with Will Ferrell as The Culps, this multi-talented actress has also graced the Broadway stage, demonstrating her versatility by taking on the role of Elphaba in a Chicago production of Wicked.
Kenan Thompson
Among Kenan Thompson, a longtime cast member of Saturday Night Live, many characters he frequently portrays have a musical bent, like Diondre Cole from “What Up with That?”. Notably, Thompson, who gained fame through shows like “All That” and “Kenan & Kel”, collaborated on an R&B spoof track titled “Come Back, Barack”. This song was performed together with Chris Redd and the show’s host, Chance the Rapper.
Harry Shearer
Harry Shearer, who was a part of Saturday Night Live from 1979 to 1980 and then again from 1984 to 1985, has showcased his musical abilities in films such as This is Spinal Tap and A Mighty Wind. The Simpsons actor has also collaborated on a satirical stage musical titled J. Edgar! The Musical and has released five solo albums featuring musical comedy.
Garrett Morris
Before being known as a Not Ready for Primetime Player, Garrett Morris honed his skills as a Julliard-trained singer, sharing the stage with Harry Belafonte and participating in numerous Broadway shows. He showcased these abilities in several unforgettable scenes on SNL, including the time he sang a rather explicit tune while auditioning for a prison theater program.
Robert Downey Jr.
It’s possible that, had Robert Downey Jr. been given an opportunity to display his singing abilities during his time on SNL, he might have stayed around for a while longer. Known for his Oscar-winning performances and roles in Marvel films, Downey Jr. has also showcased his vocal talent, with an acclaimed version of Joni Mitchell’s “River” on the holiday album Ally McBeal: A Very Ally Christmas, and a studio album titled The Futurist, released in 2004.
Paul Shaffer
It’s no wonder I find Paul Shaffer musically gifted, considering his longstanding roles as a member of Studio 8H’s house band, The Blues Brothers Band, and as David Letterman’s late-night TV bandleader. What may shock some – even though he made headlines for dropping the first F-bomb on SNL during an iconic moment in Season 5 – is that I was, in fact, a part of the cast during that season.
Pete Davidson
Due to his widespread recognition, it’s likely that Pete Davidson could launch a successful album, considering his catchy rhymes on SNL and the acclaim he received for his viral parody of “Barbie” titled “I’m Just Pete.” Notably, this comedian had the chance to perform his favorite song, “Gangster’s Paradise,” alongside Coolio, the iconic rapper who created the song, during a Comedy Central event.
Jim Belushi
After the passing of John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd collaborated with John’s younger brother on an album titled “Have Love, Will Travel“. Later, Jim Belushi joined a contemporary version of The Blues Brothers Band under the name “Zee Blues” and he even created and sang the theme song for his TV show, “According to Jim“.
Christine Ebersole
As a devoted fan, I’ve always pondered why Saturday Night Live (SNL) didn’t quite capture the brilliance of Christine Ebersole during her single season. Regrettably, her tenure seems to have faded into obscurity. However, I’m thrilled to share that she went on to earn Tony Awards for her exceptional performances in Broadway musicals like “42nd Street” and “Grey Gardens”, ensuring her name would be forever etched in the annals of theater history.
Cecily Strong
Prior to Cecily Strong’s departure from SNL in 2022, she had already showcased her singing abilities as a leading actor in Apple TV+’s musical comedy series, Schmigadoon!. Consequently, viewers were not surprised when she concluded her stint on Studio 8H with a performance of “Blue Christmas” alongside host and Elvis portrayer Austin Butler.
Chloe Troast
It’s unfortunate that Chloe Troast had a brief stint on SNL, given her remarkable singing talent, which is among the strongest of nearly anyone who’s been part of the cast. She left audiences spellbound with the songs she sang as a character portraying a young orphan named Cassidy and as Mama Cass in simulated footage from the making of “Make Your Own Kind of Music.
Michael McKean
Michael McKean had previously made an appearance on SNL as Spinal Tap’s David St. Hubbins, and when he hosted in 1984, his fellow cast members Harry Shearer and Christopher Guest joined him for a special musical performance as their band The Folksmen. To add to that, when The Folksmen came together again for the 2003 mockumentary A Mighty Wind, McKean received a Grammy for the title song, and another track from the film, “A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow,” even earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Will Ferrell
It’s well-known that Will Ferrell is particularly recognized for his character, Marty Culp, who happens to be musically inclined, but he’s also famously known for his unparalleled cowbell playing skills from a legendary Saturday Night Live sketch. Additionally, Ferrell performed all his own singing in the final act of StepBrothers.
Chevy Chase
In 1976, the inaugural episode of Saturday Night Live featured a memorable cold open starring Chevy Chase portraying future president Ronald Reagan. In this skit, Reagan attempted to demonstrate his hipness by playing keyboard in a jazz band. Despite appearing rather unskilled in the sketch, it was intentional as Chase is an accomplished pianist in reality. Notably, while attending college, Chase played drums for a band called The Leather Canary, alongside future members of Steely Dan, Walter Becker and Donald Fagen.
Billy Crystal
Billy Crystal may not have created many musically-focused moments during his time at Studio 8H on SNL, but he has certainly left an indelible mark with other musical performances throughout his career. For instance, when hosting the Oscars, he paid tribute to Best Picture nominees through parody song versions, and his collaboration with John Goodman on “If I Didn’t Have You” for the Monsters Inc. soundtrack is another unforgettable moment.
Phil Hartman
Phil Hartman, who had a voice worth a million dollars, utilized it brilliantly during his tenure at SNL and other notable roles throughout his career, but never for any music-related projects. In his final performance, he took part in a humorous take on The Sound of Music, singing the closing “Goodnight” lyric with an authentic and heartwarming tone.
Jason Sudeikis
For seven years as a member of the SNL cast, Jason Sudeikis seldom contributed musically to sketches, except when he portrayed the protective ’80s pop star “Ocean Billy” in a fake Soul Train DVD ad or one-half of the Bon Jovi parody band, Jon Bovi. Now, he’s been using his musical skills more frequently by hosting an annual charity event called Thundergong.
Nasim Pedrad
In some Saturday Night Live skits, Nasim Pedrad showcased her singing talent, like in a music video for a track about romantic rendezvous in your childhood bedroom during family holidays. It’s surprising she didn’t get a solo song in the 2019 live-action version of Aladdin produced by Disney.
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2024-12-13 23:38