Top 10 Greatest SNL Celebrity Impressions of All Time

Providing quality work through her many years on the show, Vanessa Bayer frequently revealed her skills as a sketch performer. She’s even given Jennifer Aniston a run for her money on “Weekend Update.” With an immaculate wig, the comedian explores the many facets of Rachel from “Friends.” It’s an enjoyable impersonation that summarizes the celebrity’s defining performance. Not only that, the segment prompts the real woman to confront the cast member. Aniston only adds to this sketch as the two discuss the funny impression. It’s not the only time Bayer played opposite a celebrity either, with the “SNL” star performing her goofy version of Miley Cyrus next to the singer.

Bringing out the show’s more absurd side, Kristen Wiig takes no prisoners as Liza Minnelli. She quickly runs into problems when her pesky lamp doesn’t turn off. This starts a slew of funny references, asides, and dance moves courtesy of Wiig. The comedian defies logic as a hilarious plot lets her become the most insane version of Minnelli. As the sketch goes on, you might find yourself laughing at the sheer dedication of this performer. The cast member satirizes the target’s unique personality and turns it into a wild routine. You might never look at a lamp the same way again, having fallen under the spell of this beautifully strange performance.

With a whole host of voices to choose from, Jay Pharoah might have been one of the more underrated cast members of “SNL.” One of his best impressions might be Denzel Washington. He perfectly embodies the many details of the Academy Award winner, from the man’s facial expressions to his body movements. It’s one of those impersonations that could easily fool someone if they closed their eyes. Whether this version appears as a cameo or as the lead role in a scene, he finds a way into the influential performer. His Washington also finds the finer points of the actor’s voice. Pharoah almost becomes possessed by the character, earning big reactions from excited fans.

As one of the first cast members, Gilda Radner delivered some incredible performances on “Saturday Night Live.” This includes her entertaining spin on the unstoppable force of Barbara Walters - or Baba Wawa. Radner’s characterization involves a few jabs at the journalist’s voice, letting her turn scripts into marble-mouthed scenes. It’s a funny way to exaggerate Walters’ delivery and overall personality during interviews. The comedian trades lines with the likes of John Belushi’s Henry Kissinger, giving her all to an outrageous impersonation. Drawing huge laughs, the role shows that you don’t need to be accurate to wow the crowd.

If you know anything about either of these men, you know they’re a perfect match. Larry David finds a way to channel all of Bernie Sanders’ mannerisms. He also uses this role to blur the line between the senator and his “Curb Your Enthusiasm” character, using the HBO show as inspiration for hilarious concepts. David plays a curmudgeon like an absolute professional. Not only does the comedian have similar looks as his target. He also knows how to find a way to pull off a political speech. This all comes together as a tremendous take on a major figure in recent American politics. David isn’t the only one to do great impersonations either, with Martin Short doing an awesome version of the “Seinfeld” creator.

Spoofing the modern classic “There Will Be Blood,” this sketch allows Bill Hader to show off why he’s a fan-favorite performer. His impersonation of Daniel Day-Lewis covers the actor’s towering work as Daniel Plainview. Channeling the fictional oil baron, Hader does an expert take on the growling character. It’s especially effective if you appreciate the many references to the period film. His impression even lets him make milkshake jokes, having fun with the more eccentric moments of the Paul Thomas Anderson movie. It’s also among the more nuanced takes on Day-Lewis’ dedicated and gripping acting style.

From the late 1990s to the 2000s, Darrell Hammond was an ever-reliable presence on “Saturday Night Live.” His impressions find a precise way to lampoon all kinds of celebrities like Sean Connery. The performer steals the show on “Celebrity Jeopardy!” as the nemesis of Will Ferrell’s Trebek. Making dirty jokes and messing with the rules, this impersonation of Connery doesn’t hold back his comical disgust. Hammond might not have an incredible Scottish accent, but he more than makes up for it with his comic energy. The recurring game-show parody also fostered other fantastic work from the likes of Norm Macdonald. With so many great comedians to bounce off of, this long-standing cast member always scores as the James Bond actor.

She loves playing zany and original characters, but Kate McKinnon can also do her fair share of celebrities like Justin Bieber. Her take on Ellen DeGeneres finds a way to funnel chaotic energy into a real person. This includes tackling the host’s talk show, with the comedian dancing with other famous guests. It’s as entertaining as it is accurate. McKinnon also dishes out a pretty solid Southern accent, mimicking some of her target’s vocal patterns. Her version of DeGeneres also loves to announce her name like it’s a catchphrase. Even if the former talk show personality isn’t quite as beloved anymore, this impersonation is still fun to watch.

During his legendary run on “Saturday Night Live,” Eddie Murphy showed off his incredible range of impressions. This includes his showstopping take on James Brown. He’s able to transform into the “Godfather of Soul” with ease. There’s lots of energy to this sketch, with the performer singing and dancing like he can barely be contained. He also finds the singer’s iconic grunts and passionate delivery throughout, becoming a one-man wrecking crew of talent. It’s funny to watch this version of Brown groove around a hot tub that’s too hot. The entire concept allows Murphy to fly off the handle and reveal his comedic palette.


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

The Singer Creates a Convincing Portrait of the Actress’ Bubbly & Relatable Energy

This Hilarious Impression Blends Satire & Absurdity with a Healthy Dose of Wine

Fey Is a Perfect Match to Play Palin as a Straight-Shooter Who Can See Russia from Her House

With Perfect Comedic Timing, Hartman Channels Clinton’s Charismatic Energy at McDonald’s

The Performer Captures Dion’s Gravitas during an Impressive Career Peak in the 1990s

As one of the greatest impersonators in the show’s history, Dana Carvey never ceases to amaze with his endless voices. His version of the late-night host nails the essence of Johnny Carson. From the vocals to the cadence, Carvey performs one of the best deconstructions of the famous entertainer. He also gets to play off of Phil Hartman’s hilarious Ed McMahon impression, with even more material to test his expert impersonation. It’s also impressive to see how precise the writing can be in approximating Carson’s jokes and overall presence. The lead comedian finds a way into almost any character, trying out everyone from TV icons to his fantastic George H.W. Bush.


Which elite impression did we forget? Let us know in the comments below.