The 32 Most Famous MadTV Cast Members

Reflecting on the illustrious careers of these former Mad TV stars, it’s quite remarkable to see how they’ve managed to transition from the zany world of sketch comedy to a myriad of film and television roles. Each one has carved their unique niche in the entertainment industry, showcasing their versatility and talent.

For a brief moment, consider the performers that come to mind when you think of your favorite actors in sketch comedy. Is it only those who have been on Saturday Night Live or do some other talented comedians from shows such as Mad TV also spring to mind?

It’s not uncommon knowledge that, given the TV sketch comedy series akin to MAD Magazine that aired on Fox from 1995 to 2009 was one of Saturday Night Live’s main rivals during that period. Yet, even if you’re unfamiliar with the show, it’s likely you would recognize some well-known cast members from Mad TV. Take a look!

Keegan-Michael Key

Between 2004 and 2009, Keegan-Michael-Key truly shone as an MVP on Mad TV, impressing audiences with his exceptional impersonations and side-splitting original characters such as Coach Hines. Joining forces with fellow Mad TV alum Jordan Peele for their successful Comedy Central show, Key & Peele, significantly boosted his popularity and established him as one of comedy’s most prominent and versatile figures.

Artie Lange

Back in my late twenties, I found myself catapulted into the limelight as a founding member of the Mad TV crew. Later on, from 2001 to 2009, I got an even bigger boost when I joined forces with Howard Stern as his co-host and sidekick on his renowned radio show. As if that wasn’t enough, I had the privilege of sharing the screen with Norm Macdonald in one of his finest films, “Dirty Work” from 1998. And let me tell you, there have been plenty more memorable roles in film and television since then.

Alex Borstein

Initially known for her work as an improv comic and voice acting, Alex Borstein first stepped into live-action roles when she became part of the Mad TV cast during Season 3. Interestingly, while she gained significant recognition for voicing Lois Griffin on Family Guy, her performance as Susie Myerson in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel earned her widespread acclaim and two Primetime Emmy Awards.

Phil LaMarr

Following stints with The Groundlings and renowned comedy group Second City, Phil LaMarr gained regular status on Mad TV. During this period, he portrayed characters such as Jaq the UBS Guy for its initial five seasons. Prior to that, he made an appearance in one of the top 1990s films, Pulp Fiction, where he played Marvin. Later, he became more widely recognized due to his prolific voice acting career, which encompasses characters like John “Green Lantern” Stewart from DC and Samurai Jack’s title role.

Bobby Lee

Even though Bobby Lee joined the cast midway through the series’ duration, he turned into one of the most acclaimed breakout stars in Mad TV, known for his cheerful acts and iconic recurring characters such as Tank and the unhelpful Korean translator Bae Sung. The comedian and podcast host became a fixture in the Harold and Kumar series, shining brightly in comedy films and shows. Later, he made a name for himself with his notable performances in various funny productions before expanding his career beyond comedy, as seen in his recurring role in the remake of Magnum P.I..

Nicole Sullivan

During her initial stint at Mad TV, Nicole Sullivan played a wide array of regular characters, with Antonia the absent-minded one and Vancome Lady, deeply prejudiced, standing out prominently. Later, she joined the main cast on The King of Queens, secured a recurring role in Black-ish, and established a significant career in voice acting.

Taran Killam

Among the scant number of stars who transitioned from “Mad TV” to the “SNL” cast is Taran Killam, a figure familiar to younger audiences due to his portrayal of Spaulding in the recurring segment “Moody’s Point” on the Amanda Show and other Nickelodeon productions. Additionally, he had a recurring role on the cast of “How I Met Your Mother” (which included his spouse, Cobie Smulders), played Gary Blauman, appeared on MTV’s “Wild ‘n Out”, was part of the Best Picture Oscar winner “12 Years a Slave”, and was involved in writing, directing, and starring in “Killing Gunther” alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Will Sasso

On the popular TV show Mad TV, Will Sasso left a lasting impact with his side-splitting impersonations of personalities such as Bill Clinton, Kenny Rogers, and others. This Canadian humorist, who is recognized for portraying Jim McCallister on Young Sheldon and its spin-off, George & Mandy’s First Marriage, would utilize his knack for comedic roles in his portrayal of Curly in the Farrelly Brothers’ two contemporary adaptations of the classic Three Stooges films.

Debra Wilson

Beyond being famously recognized for her recurring characters like Bunifa, Debra Wilson, a founding cast member of Mad TV, was also well-known for her exceptional celebrity impressions, including Oprah Winfrey and Tina Turner, among others. After leaving the series following eight years, she utilized that skill in various ways, providing voiceovers for films such as the Hotel Transylvania franchise, TV shows like Monster High, and video games including World of Warcraft.

Jordan Peele

Regardless of the less than amicable departure from Mad TV (as they refused to release him from his contract to try out for SNL), it is undoubtedly accurate to label Jordan Peele as one of the show’s most triumphant alumni, not only due to his side-splitting portrayals of characters like Funkenstein but also because of his significant accomplishments beyond Mad TV. Following the establishment of Key & Peele alongside Keegan-Michael Key, Peele proceeded to make a name for himself as a gifted writer and director by creating some of the most chilling horror films in recent history. This includes the 2017 masterpiece Get Out, which fetched him an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Mo Collins

Mo Collins proved to be a consistent and energetic performer on Mad TV, spending six years on the show, where she portrayed characters like Doreen Larkin, Stuart’s mother. It is not surprising that her talent led her to diverse roles later on, such as playing Joan Calamezzo in the cast of Parks and Recreation, and joining the cast of AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead as Sarah Rabinowitz.

Simon Helberg

It’s entirely possible that you might have overlooked the fact that Simon Helberg, popularly recognized as Howard Walowitz in CBS’s “Big Bang Theory”, had a stint on “Mad TV”. During the years 2002 to 2003, he was part of the main cast for one season, receiving Golden Globe nominations for his comedic and acting skills.

Orlando Jones

Following his role in the initial two seasons of Mad TV, Orlando Jones went on to have a thriving and diverse career, featuring films such as the beloved comedy Office Space, Paul Thomas Anderson’s Magnolia, and the side-splitting alien invasion film, Evolution. He may also be familiar due to his long-term role as the spokesperson for 7UP or portraying Frank Irving on Fox’s Sleepy Hollow.

Nicole Parker

Nicole Parker’s primary roles in Mad TV spanned over six seasons, where she excelled at impersonating celebrities, a talent showcased in films like Disaster Movie as well. Beyond television shows such as Bajillion Dollar Properties, her acting career includes various theatrical productions, including a 2009 Broadway stint for Wicked, where she played Elphaba.

Ike Barinholtz

As a gamer, I can’t forget the electric energy Ike Barinholtz brought to the screen during his seven-year stint on Mad TV. Even without recurring characters, he left an indelible mark. His charm continued to shine brightly in his lead role on The Mindy Project, and he impressed as both director, writer, and star of the 2018 political satire, The Oath. From the laughter I shared while watching Neighbors to the thrills of Suicide Squad, I’ve seen him excel across a variety of genres – from comedies to comic book movies.

Michael McDonald

Michael McDonald, who was a cast member on Mad TV for the longest period (from 1998 to 2008), also has a history with The Groundlings and made significant appearances in shows like Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery and Seinfeld. Since then, his career has spanned various genres, including movies alongside Melissa McCarthy such as Spy, and playing “Little John” in one of the Halloween films (Halloween Kills).

Stephnie Weir

Over a span of six seasons on Mad TV, Stephnie Weir showcased numerous side-splitting characters such as seven-year-old Penelope “Dot” Goddard and Dr. Kylie Johnson JD MD. Since then, she has gained recognition for her roles in FX’s The Comedians, HBO’s Veep, ABC’s A Million Little Things, and Fox’s Happy Together.

Bryan Callen

Bryan Callen, during his time on Mad TV, is recognized for some standout moments such as mimicking Jim Carrey and participating in a barbershop quartet singing acapella versions of gangster rap tunes. After that, he’s made appearances in films like ‘Bad Santa’ and the ‘Hangover’ series, and more recently, he left an impression on audiences with his recurring role as Bilson on How I Met Your Mother.

Frank Caliendo

Frank Caliendo’s impression of John Madden, showcased among many other accurate impersonations on Mad TV, gained such recognition that he was invited to make semi-regular appearances on Fox NFL Sunday as the renowned sports commentator. The comedian also took on various famous personalities in his brief TBS series, Frank TV, and is recognized for his impressions, such as John Madden.

Crista Flanagan

During her five-year tenure on Mad TV, Crista Flanagan delivered numerous standout performances, including her portrayal of the Sally character in sketches that humorously mimicked Sesame Street. Notable accomplishments beyond her time on the sketch comedy show include a recurring role as Lois Sadler with the cast of Mad Men and guest appearances on popular sitcoms like Mom and Grace and Frankie.

Andy Daly

Before his two-season stint on Mad TV, Andy Daly honed his skills in improv with the Upright Citizens Brigade and made guest appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Later on, he became more recognized with roles in movies such as She’s Out of My League, recurring parts in shows like Silicon Valley, and creating and starring in Comedy Central’s Review, where he played Forrest MacNeil, an overzealous critic of “life itself.

Aries Spears

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but acknowledge that Aries Spears, who ranks second in longevity among the Mad TV cast, trailing only Michael McDonald, is renowned for his hilarious portrayal of NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. His comedic genius was first showcased in the 1996 film “Jerry Maguire,” and since then, he’s become a household name for voice acting Wizard Kelly on Disney Channel’s The Proud Family and its revival series, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, on Disney+.

Erica Ash

Erica Ash was prominently part of the cast during the last season and finale of Mad TV, having previously been a cast member for two seasons on The Big Gay Sketch Show. Later, she appeared in films such as Scary Movie 5 and Uncle Drew, and played a significant role in Survivor’s Remorse. Tragically, she lost her life to breast cancer at the age of 46 in 2024.

Josh Meyers

As Seth Meyers was making his mark on the Saturday Night Live (SNL) ensemble, Josh Meyers moved to Mad TV for their eighth and ninth seasons instead. He departed from the show to fill Topher Grace’s role as Randy Pearson in That ’70s Show cast, later appearing alongside Ike Barinholtz on The Oath.

Craig Anton

Craig Anton was a prominent cast member in the first three years of the television program “Mad TV,” where he excelled at portraying a sleazy spokesman for an unpleasant cola brand called Spishak. Outside of this show, the comedian is likely most recognized for his role as Lloyd Diffy in Disney Channel’s science fiction comedy series titled “Phil of the Future.

Mary Scheer

Following her role in a film adapted from an SNL character (1994’s “It’s Pat”), Mary Scheer joined the initial cast of Mad TV and remained for three seasons. Later, she acted alongside Cassandra Peterson in 2001’s “Elvira’s Haunted Hills” and portrayed Freddie Benson’s demanding mother, Marissa, on Nickelodeon’s “iCarly”.

Arden Myrin

After appearing in the NBC sitcom “Working” and films like “Bubble Boy” and “Kinsey”, Arden Myrin gained fame as a star on “Mad TV” for its final four seasons. Since then, you may have seen her in movies like “Evan Almighty”, Netflix series such as “Insatiable”, and some of the funniest sketches from “Key & Peele”, including “Black Ice.

Paul Vogt

Paul Vogt, the openly gay cast member of Mad TV, appeared on the show from Seasons 8 to 10. He has an impressive acting resume that includes films like “The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement” (2003) and “Valentine’s Day” (2010), as well as television shows such as “Hannah Montana” and “Perfect Harmony”.

Christina Moore

I, a dedicated fan, have always admired Christina Moore’s versatile acting journey. She started off with recurring roles in shows like “The Drew Carey Show” and “24.” Then, in 2003, she joined the cast of “Mad TV” during its eighth season, a significant milestone. That very same year, she stepped into the shoes of Lisa Robin Kelly as Laurie Forman on “That ’70s Show.” Since then, her career has been nothing short of eclectic, spanning series such as TNT’s “Hawthorne” and Disney Channel’s “Jessie,” and movies like “Delta Farce” and “The Curse of the Necklace.

Nelson Ascencio

Having become a featured player on Mad TV’s Season 5 roster, I was later promoted to a main cast member for the subsequent season, marking my swan song with the series. Beyond my work on the show, I’m recognized for portraying Flavius in the blockbuster Hunger Games films.

Jeff Richards

Initially, Jeff Richards, a comedian and podcast host who gained fame on Mad TV, subsequently became a cast member on SNL. One particularly remarkable moment in his SNL tenure was his spot-on portrayal of the late-night talk show host, David Letterman.

Tim Conlon

Tim Conlon was a prominent cast member on the TV show “Mad TV” during its second and third seasons. He is also recognized for his roles in the movie “Angels in the Outfield” (1994) and the sci-fi comedy series “Lost on Earth” (1997), which unfortunately did not last long.

2024-10-24 18:38