Top 10 Female SNL Cast Members

Kicking off our list is an actress and comedian with one of the longest runs as a female player after having appearing on the show between 2000-07. During her time on “SNL,” Maya Rudolph was known for her wide array of celebrity impersonations, from Oprah to Beyoncé to Paris Hilton. Her command of accents and dialects proved invaluable to the show during her tenure, as she was able to get a reaction from the audience with nothing more than a facial twitch or vocal inflection. Not only was she funny, she often utilized her impressive voice in musical sketches. Even after leaving the show, she has returned every now and then to share her comic genius with the new generation of players.

The late Jan Hooks was one of the new players hired for the twelfth season after the show was nearly cancelled, and was integral to “SNL”’s comeback. She had the rare skill of being able to make impersonations both ridiculous and realistic at the same time, most notably Kathie Lee Gifford and Nancy Reagan. Additionally, she was the first of several players to impersonate Hillary Clinton, and, of course, she brought to life one of SNL’s most beloved recurring characters, Candy Sweeney. While she is not one of the better-remembered cast members, Tina Fey noted the lack of attention in 2014, claiming that she “should have had a bigger career.” Hooks’ time on the show more than proved this.

It’s one thing to get the audience laughing, but Rachel Dratch was able to make practically the entire cast lose it during Debbie Downer’s now-famous introductory sketch. Her quirky and unique comedic style allowed her to play characters that ranged from grandiose to deadpan, with no weak spot in the bunch. Among her other characters were a pubescent Harry Potter, a thickly-accented Boston teen named Denise, and Virginia, one half of an overly-friendly couple. Her time on the show from 1999-2006 provided it with a particular brand of humor that few, if any cast members, have been able to recapture.

Able to go from deadpan to manic in a second, this player was a staple of the series in the late ‘90s and early 2000s. She’s mostly remembered for her impersonation of Martha Stewart, where she would usually carry an entire sketch on her own. Ana Gasteyer was also one of the women who made a great Hillary Clinton. Other characters included the depressed host of “Pretty Living,” and a spot-on Joan Rivers. Often paired with Will Ferrell, Gasteyer could effortlessly hold her own against the legendary funnyman. And in one of “SNL”’s strongest casts, she managed to be a standout.

It didn’t take long for this kooky comedienne to leave her mark on the show. She created too many memorable characters to list them all, but the highlights include the troublesome Gilly, the overzealous Target lady, and of course Dooneese. It was always clear that she was up for any challenge the writers would throw at her, as she committed earnestly to every role, often brilliantly utilizing physical humor to up the ante. She has also received seven Emmy nominations in a row for her work on the show.

This original cast member made a name for herself as the “queen of deadpan” for her talent in playing straight women in sketches. Her foils to John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Gilda Radner helped make some of the most legendary moments of the series, including the Coneheads, which later received their own film adaptation. She was also the first woman to sit at the Weekend Update desk, where she often provided the voice of reason. It’s been said that her role on “SNL” mirrors her role behind-the-scenes, as she always strived to be professional and prepared. A class act all the way.

She can kick, she can stretch, and she can kick. This pick was a no-brainer. Molly Shannon most famously portrayed Catholic schoolgirl Mary Katherine Gallagher, who is also one of the few female SNL characters to get a cinematic spinoff. This just scratches the limits of her talent, though. She also excelled while performing in “Delicious Dish” sketches, as well as notably impersonating Monica Lewinsky and many others. Shannon was able to bring sincerity to a vast array of characters, bringing life and energy to every sketch she appeared in. One of the most reliable cast members ever to grace the stage of studio 8H, she is a true comedic legend.

One of the most hilarious funnywomen today got her start on “SNL.” She began as a writer in 1997, but didn’t appear in sketches until the year after she became the first female head writer in 1999. Along with the writing staff, Fey would win an Emmy for her scripts – but it wouldn’t be her last award, as she would win another Emmy several years after leaving the show for her guest performances parodying Sarah Palin. Fey is also considered one of the funniest hosts of Weekend Update of all time. After her legendary run on “SNL,” she created “30 Rock,” based on her time with the show and won another slew of awards. There is no doubt that Fey will be remembered as one of the show’s greatest.

It’s only natural that Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are next to each other on this list, as they formed the first female duo to host Weekend Update. While their chemistry was a winning combination, Amy Poehler also showed she could easily stand on her own. Her expressive face gave her the ability to easily play a wide variety of off-the-wall characters, from straight women to eccentric gals. Most famously, she was a brilliant Hillary Clinton and originated the character Kaitlin. When she became pregnant, she continued to work until literally going into labor hours before the show was set to film. It was just destiny that her son was born on a Saturday night.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions:

Kate McKinnon
Cecily Strong
Cheri Oteri
Julia Sweeney
Vanessa Bayer
Laraine Newman

This influential cast member was the first person to ever be cast in “SNL,” which is appropriate, since no other could likely ever match her stage presence. As one of the original Not Ready for Prime Time players, she helped put the show on the map with such offbeat characters as Baba Wawa, Emily Litella, and Roseanne Roseannadanna. Not just restricted to a few characters, though, Gilda Radner’s incredible range was always apparent, as she breathed life into every character she inhabited. She is considered a pioneer for women in sketch comedy, and though she sadly passed in 1989 from ovarian cancer, Radner’s impact is still felt today.

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