Top 10 SNL Cast Members Who Make Their Scene Partners Break the Most
#10: Kenan Thompson
Top 10 Times Kenan Thompson Broke the SNL Cast
As the longest-running cast member on the show, Kenan Thompson has been an integral part of “SNL” since the early 2000s. He’s also had many chances to make his co-stars crumble with laughter. With his “Scared Straight” character, Thompson can be as outrageous as he wants. This helps to entertain his fellow comedians like Bill Hader giggle as he messes with them. His caricatures of David Ortiz and LaVar Ball also keep the “Weekend Update” crew happy, providing many unforgettable moments over the years. The versatile performer provides the foundation for many skits that even include musicals. His performance in the “Diner Lobster” sketch is so dedicated that it helps to break Pete Davidson.
#9: Bowen Yang
Top 10 Hilarious Bowen Yang SNL Sketches
Among the newer cast members to prove himself on “SNL,” Bowen Yang comes ready for each episode with completely unique ideas. His character’s memorable outfits are only the tip of the iceberg, already putting people on edge with his wonderfully-bizarre wardrobe. Yang can make anyone laugh with his many outrageous characters that team him up with the likes of Aidy Bryant. Sometimes laughing at himself, the performer can’t help but occasionally break during skits that include the trendy forecasters. Other times he’ll play someone like Spectrum that defies logic in the best possible way. In any case, the comedian deserves extra praise for powering through sketches that are amazingly out there.
#8: Jimmy Fallon
Top 10 Times Jimmy Fallon Broke People on SNL
At this point, Jimmy Fallon’s stint on “SNL” might be best known for the excessive laughter. He’s definitely a soft touch when it comes to giggling throughout his tenure on the program. This is especially the case any time he and Horatio Sanz share the screen. It can also be argued that Fallon started the now-famous destruction of the Debbie Downer skit. Once he gets going, the comedian struggles to hide his grin in such a way that nobody can resist. His drummer in the “More Cowbell” skit can’t contain his joy as he watches Will Ferrell go crazy. In many ways, the actor is like a joyful audience member that hops on stage at the last minute.
#7: Cecily Strong
Top 10 Times Cecily Strong Broke Character on SNL
Cecily Strong could be the most underrated performer from the 2010s. She’s frequently leading sketches and “Weekend Update” appearances with her amazing impressions. These also include her hilarious turns as Jeanine Pirro, the latter of which is arguably designed to break Colin Jost. She can also take a skit to another level with her incredible performances. In sketches that include “Girlfriends Game Night,” Strong sets the stage for co-stars like Bill Hader to completely lose it. The actress earns frequent laughs from admiring cast members that feel completely natural and deserved. Proving that she’s always ready to bring an idea to the brink of disaster, the comedian can’t help but make everybody else chuckle in the process.
#6: Fred Armisen
With a storied tenure on “SNL,” Fred Armisen usually kept his cool in sketches. He usually could turn his supreme focus into hilarious moments for other cast members. This includes his ability to mess with other performers with a well-timed performance or voice. “The Californians” is basically made for Armisen to just play around, breaking players such as Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig in the process. He can also make a good sketch into a chaotic one like “Short Term Memory Loss Theater.” The comedian has a knack for tapping into strange characters, stealing the spotlight and putting his co-stars in stitches.
#5: Kristen Wiig
Top 10 Times Kristen Wiig Broke People on SNL
Throughout the 2000s, Kristen Wiig had a number of standout characters on “SNL.” Her go-for-broke attitude elevated every sketch with an energy that couldn’t be contained. The showcase model sketch is just one example of her hilarious work. Opposite the likes of Maya Rudolph, the performer relishes in her accent work and the crazy props. She’s also known to throw Seth Meyers for a loop on “Weekend Update,” especially when playing characters like Rebecca Larue. It’s hard to quantify the comedian’s expert abilities and overall importance to the show, but it’s clear that her peers absolutely love to have her as a team player.
#4: Bill Hader
Top 10 Times Bill Hader Broke The SNL Cast
Bill Hader definitely makes the most of every appearance on the show, becoming a cultural icon for his character work which includes Stefon. The “Weekend Update” guest is famous for prompting laughter from the performer himself. Hader also is known to inspire his friends on the program to laugh like Fred Armisen. In the Vogelcheck sketch, the comedian turns a mistake into a laughable moment after Armisen accidentally hits him. This kind of playful energy often becomes contagious. His ability to become characters young and old, as well as impersonate people, has been known to cause people to lose control.
#3: Chris Farley
Top 10 Times Chris Farley Broke People on SNL
When talking about Chris Farley’s work, you have to mention the sheer joy he brings out in every person around him. His iconic portrayal of Matt Foley will always be a crowning achievement for his ability to deliver funny lines and make his co-stars lose control. More than just a gifted physical comedian, the performer could also take one line and turn it into something magical. Take for instance the Pepper Boy skit, an idea that allows Farley to try and bring Adam Sandler to his knees. The star always acted like he was having the time of his life, producing some of the most memorable moments of the 1990s. Quite often his friends couldn’t resist having a front-row seat to a comedy legend.
#2: Kate McKinnon
Top 10 Times Kate McKinnon Broke the SNL Cast
Among the breakout stars of the 2010s, Kate McKinnon was a highlight of the last decade at SNL. She’s able to twist any role until even her fellow professionals can’t help but chuckle. One surefire sketch to get everybody laughing is “Close Encounter.” As one of multiple alien abductees, the performer’s every inflection eventually makes everyone including host Ryan Gosling break. There are also her many appearances on “Weekend Update” that include everything from crazy doctors to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Through it all, McKinnon embraces the zaniness of each character in a way that produces laughs from everyone.
#1: Will Ferrell
Top 10 Times SNL Cast Members Who NEVER Break Broke
Considered the “SNL” rockstar of the late 1990s and 2000s, Will Ferrell instantly brightens up any sketch. His comic touch is so irresistible that his scene partners are no match for his performance. Ferrell steals the spotlight and laughs in iconic skits like “More Cowbell.” Like his turn as the fierce cowbell player, he makes any physical gag his own with plenty of memorable wardrobe choices. This doesn’t mean that he doesn’t also work wonders with absurd scripts either. His skits like “The Love-ahs” and “Dr. Beaman’s Office” also find the composed performer breaking himself. Perhaps the ultimate measure of his talents is any time he can set his co-stars off without words at all.
