Top 10 Best SNL Cast Members From the 90s

Some “SNL” cast members prefer to create original characters on their own, while others prefer to collaborate with another member of the cast. Cheri Oteri could effortlessly switch between both of these methods while striking comedic gold at nearly every opportunity. Granted, most of us remember her pairing with Will Ferrell as the Spartan Cheerleaders, but what about Collette Reardon’s bad habits, or Nadeen telling us all to “simma down now?” Oteri wasn’t vain about whether or not her characters showcased her best side, but rather how effective they were at getting a reaction from the audience. And for the record, they were usually very, very effective.

In the arena of “Saturday Night Live” political humor, there are cast members who specialize in presidential parodies… and then there’s Darrell Hammond. It’s Hammond who arguably has the best known and most effective presidential impersonation ever, in the form of his impeccable William Jefferson Clinton. Sure, fans could try and narrow things down to that smirk, the biting of the lip, or that classic thumbs-up, but Hammond doing Big Bill was just a skit that never seemed to get old, no matter how many times we watched. It set the bar incredibly high for everyone in its wake.

Tim “Lil’ Hockey” Meadows served on the “SNL” stage for ten seasons, which is pretty impressive on its own, but the comedian also thrived after his tenure on the show was over. Meadows appeared in movies like “Mean Girls” and T.V. shows like “Schooled,” taking with him lessons learned on the “SNL” stage. He was an anchoring presence on the show, a reliable comedic voice that could be relied upon to do silly stuff like “The Ladies Man” or timely satire like the O. J. Simpson trial. This inability to be pigeonholed made him one of “Saturday Night Live’s” most versatile players.

Sure, Molly Shannon had plenty of catchphrases at her disposal, but she also had plenty of chops, too. The comedienne is probably best known for her perpetually clumsy, dramatic, and monologue-happy schoolgirl Mary Katherine Gallagher, but that’s not all. She shined in the aforementioned “Goth Talk” with Chris Kattan, but could also be more understated with characters like Terri Rialto, co-host of “The Delicious Dish” with co-star Ana Gasteyer. It was Shannon’s ability to vacillate between manic and reserved that made her such a valuable presence on “SNL.”

Speaking of Ana Gasteyer, that sketch with Shannon was a recurring bit for “Saturday Night Live,” but it’s that one time Alec Baldwin was hosting that makes all the “best of” lists. It was the infamous “Schweddy Balls” sketch, a classic slice of “SNL” nostalgia that barely contained itself from flying off the rails while the audience was completely dying of laughter. Beyond this, however, Gasteyer was also an impeccable impressionist, absolutely killing it with her takes on Celine Dion and Martha Stewart. It didn’t matter whether Ana Gasteyer was playing the straight man, or going full wack-a-doo with characters like girl rocker Cinder Calhoun: she was one hundred percent funny.

He was one of “Saturday Night Live’s” true success stories, a master comic who managed to cross over into the cultural lexicon with one of the most well-thought-out and successful parodies of all time: “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.” Of course, Myers was already killing it on the “SNL” stage and in movies way before Austin hit in 1997, thanks to a little sketch called “Wayne’s World.” The adventures of Wayne Campbell and Garth Algar were truly a crossover sensation, jumping to the big screen after winning over fans on T.V. But wait, there’s more! Myers was also responsible for “Sprockets,” “Coffee Talk,” and many more. The man was truly a marvel.

He might be the first name people think of when they imagine nineties “SNL” and its impact upon the comedic landscape during this time. Will Ferrell could always be counted upon to be unpredictable, and to deliver some astonishingly funny on-the-spot improv at a moment’s notice. We honestly don’t have enough time here to run through all of the classic sketches on which Ferrell worked during his time on the show, but it’s surprisingly varied, when you look back at it all. Will could do impressions, including a fantastic George W. Bush, Robert Goulet, and even Janet Reno! He was also great in ensemble pieces or as the straight man in the all-time classic “Jeopardy!” parodies. We’ll take “all-time great” for two thousand, Alex.

We still mourn the loss of Phil Hartman from 1998, and wonder to this day what this comedic natural could’ve achieved if he were still with us. This, of course, takes nothing away from the classic material we still have to enjoy from Hartman, such as his great impressions of Frank Sinatra or Bill Clinton. Phil was also great at thinking outside the box with quirky, yet memorable characters like Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer. During a decade where “Saturday Night Live” was loose, alive, and usually outrageous, the presence of Phil Hartman was largely a throwback to the show’s classic origins in the 1970s: a smart and vibrant comedic mind with so much to offer his fans and the industry.

Before we name our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions!

Dry Humor at Its Finest

A True “SNL” Success Story

No One Quite Does Wilting Sarcasm the Same Way

Mr. Subliminal, [Still Funny] Anyone?

Straight Woman or Wacky Antics? Ellen Could Do It All

Although Chris Farley, like Phil Hartman, may no longer be with us physically, his legacy as a true “SNL” legend is forever secure. This is not only thanks to the classic work Farley did on the show, but also his reputation as a human being, a beloved cast member and friend remembered very much in the same way as his idol, John Belushi. And yeah, it’s easy to compare the larger-than-life careers of Farley and Belushi when it comes to “SNL,” but Chris was also his own man, a cast member with an inimitable personality. His characters were boisterous forces of nature that made the most of Farley’s knack for physical comedy, iconic slices of “Must See TV” from some of “SNL’s” best years.