Top 10 Best SNL Impressions of Sitcom Stars

You’ve heard Schall’s unmistakable voice in “Bob’s Burgers,” “Flight of the Conchords,” “30 Rock”, and countless guest spots. But did you know she was almost cast as Timon in the 2019 “Lion King” remake? Okay, not really, but Heidi Gardner’s impression is so good we can totally see it! She doesn’t need to say much, but everything about the voice is so spot on, and her physicality is so uncanny we have to double-check that it’s not the real Schaal. And she wasn’t the only sitcom star impression in this sketch that was eerily good. Nick Offerman? Is that you?

These days, when you think of Fox, “Back to the Future” probably comes to mind. But back then, he was also playing Alex P. Keaton on “Family Ties,” giving Spade plenty of material to study, and he did. He captures Fox’s vocal cadence, complete with that signature voice crack in his speech patterns. The subtle physical mannerisms make it even better and add to the joy of it all. Spade didn’t keep this impression exclusively on “SNL” either; he also did it at the Emmys in front of the actor. Fox seemed to enjoy it, but we’d love to know what he thought of Spade’s take in this sketch, too.

If you’ve seen “Modern Family,” you know Vergara’s distinct Colombian accent, big personality, and enthusiastic delivery. Strong leans into that, but her impression feels like someone turned the volume up to the max, and then the dial snapped off. Could we see Vergara joining the “Star Wars” universe? Perhaps not, but if this impression is anything to go by, it would certainly bring a whole new tone to the movies. Maybe if the “Despicable Me” franchise keeps expanding, there’s a role for her in one of those instead. Honestly, they could cast Strong and tell us it’s Vergara, and we wouldn’t even think to question it.

Vergara hasn’t just been the mimic-ee but also the mimic-er. Everything about her delivery makes her the perfect choice to play, as Drescher puts it, a “funny brunette with a unique accent.” We called Strong’s Vergara impression a broken dial stuck on max volume—well, this one is like someone tried fixing it and found out it somehow gets even louder. She nails Drescher’s delivery, signature nasal tones, and that laugh you could hear from miles away. She’s not the only one to have impersonated Drescher, but Vergara’s is the one we didn’t know we needed—and one we’ll never get tired of watching.

David was a writer on “SNL” when Short joined for the one-year “All Stars” season in the ’80s, so needless to say, he had plenty of time to do his homework. David feels like the perfect fit for a grumpier, curmudgeonly version of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown,” you know, for those who are so over holiday cheer. In this skit, Short plays David as Linus, and honestly, it’s easy to imagine this is what the David household might be like during the holidays. He got the inflections down perfectly, but it’s the mannerisms that truly sell it. To borrow from Short—or should we say David—this impression is “Pretty, pretty, pretty good.”

If you ask us, Pharoah was criminally underused on “SNL.” How do you get an impressionist this good and not build more sketches around him? Apparently, he debuted his Will Smith impression in his audition, playing the actor as a New York tour guide. Seriously, how did that not go on to become an actual sketch!? Luckily, “SNL” still found ways to showcase his talent, from “Weekend Update” appearances to a “Fresh Prince Lost Episodes” sketch. Pharoah has perfected Smith’s annunciation and youthful energy, plus that sometimes over-the-top playfulness. If we closed our eyes, we're not even sure we could tell them apart.

The “Bein’ Quirky” sketches gave us multiple unforgettable impressions like Taran Killam’s take on Michael Cera and Deschanel herself as Mary-Kate Olsen. But honestly, Elliott’s impression of Deschanel really steals the show. The “New Girl” actress is known for being sweet, down-to-earth, and a bit quirky, and “SNL” definitely had fun with that. Elliott totally captures her unique way of speaking, making her delivery sound almost musical. Plus, she adds those perfect little touches that just scream Deschanel. Watching her perform it right in front of the actress is the icing on the cake, and it feels like it pushed her to really go all out.

Fallon might not be best remembered for his impressions on “SNL,” but believe it or not, his Jerry Seinfeld is pretty epic. So epic, in fact, that he did it during his audition, and the rest, as we know, is history. Want to see how spot-on it is? Just watch this “Point, Counterpoint” segment with Jerry Seinfeld and... Jerry Seinfeld. You can tell Fallon’s a fan, perfectly mimicking the comedian’s precise timing and dry delivery that somehow makes even the most ridiculous things sound almost reasonable. Years later, Seinfeld gave Fallon feedback on his impression. Now, we’re curious what the real French Stewart thinks about Fallon’s take on him!

Dana Carvey is another alum whose classic impression goes back to his audition. Having someone like Williams on “SNL” must have been a dream come true for everyone! His energy is unmatched, and his willingness to go the extra mile for a laugh is legendary. In this sketch, Williams plays an older version of himself, visited by his son—basically channeling Mork from “Mork and Mindy.” And Carvey goes for it! He unleashes all that boundless energy, captures the tone perfectly, and even pulls out Williams’ knack for voices. It almost feels like Carvey is absorbing the comedians’ essence just from being in the same room.

As one of the biggest sitcoms of the ’90s and ’00s, Friends was a prime target for “SNL” to lampoon. Yet these impressions weren’t just limited to the “Friends” universe. Vanessa Bayer’s take on Jennifer Aniston, specifically as Rachel Green, stands out. Bayer nails Aniston’s register and inflections, and it’s pure brilliance. You know who else thought it was spot-on? Jennifer Aniston. In this “Update” bit, she pretends not to be a fan of Bayer’s impression, but the mere fact that she is even there tells a whole other story. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and if that’s true, Bayer might just be Aniston’s biggest fan.


Which sitcom star impression do you think deserves more love? Let us know in the comments