Top 10 Hilarious Maya Rudolph Impressions on SNL

After this actress broke ground by winning an Oscar for Best Actress, Maya Rudolph delivered on a hysterical impression. Appearing with Dean Edwards, as fellow Oscar winner Denzel Washington, she plays up Halle Berry’s reaction to winning the award with endless crying. The comedian also gives Berry a long list of people to thank, bringing up some unexpected names. Rudolph is so dedicated to this character that she cries and shouts through most of the sketch. As the names keep coming, her every word choice gets even funnier as the speech continues. The performer shows that she can steal the spotlight with or without dialogue. Even if you haven’t watched the original video, you can find something to laugh about here.

Maya Rudolph’s talent knows no bounds, with her being able to embody every aspect of her characters. This includes reminding people that she can sing. As Christina Aguilera, Rudolph can nail the singer’s famous vocal stylings. The segment could only work with somebody that can play both the personality and the powerful voice. She also plays well off of Tina Fey, with the latter struggling to understand the character’s points. Rudolph leans into the ridiculous caricature while making every moment count. Few comedians can make you laugh and impress you as they show off their vocal range.

If you love this Swedish pop group, you’ll definitely enjoy this Christmas parody of their songs. Maya Rudolph plays one of the members, changing up the lyrics while working with some talented castmates. It’s hard not to laugh as you watch the performer sing and do choreography next to Kristen Wiig and Kate McKinnon. With some of the cast trying not to break,it becomes a hilarious deconstruction of the group’s dance moves. It’s also always fun to watch the “SNL” veterans show off their amazing chemistry. The sketch is even funnier when the camera zooms in close, finding Rudolph as her intense performance goes off.

In response to “Ugly Betty,” Fred Armisen presents his own character known as Fugly Betsy. This parody seems random enough until Maya Rudolph’s arrival as Charo. The performer plays the part of an executive producer to the fake show, bringing an infectious energy to “Weekend Update.” Rudolph looks like she could stand up and dance at any moment. She doesn’t even have long to make an impression, but the comedian easily steals the sketch away from Armisen. Her work as the singer captures the spirit of the target with an enjoyable attempt at an accent. Whether or not it’s super-accurate, it’s incredibly fun to watch the actress try it out.

Tackling the singer during a turbulent period, Maya Rudolph parodies Whitney Houston’s personal life. The comedian partners with Tracy Morgan’s Bobby Brown to deliver a funny and crazy performance. Taking a humorous look at her dark side, Rudolph turns the artist into a somewhat manic presence. The performer also plays Houston in other sketches such as a Geico commercial. While the comedian can channel the vocalist with dialogue, she can also belt out a few notes to sing like the music icon. Rudolph once again shows that she’s one of the best impressionists for singers.

Fans of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” know how exciting her giveaway segments could be. This sketch encapsulates this feeling especially well with Maya Rudolph as the host. The actress accentuates Winfrey’s upbeat delivery, with her character getting the audience pumped up into a frenzy. Things take an unexpected and hilarious turn as the in-studio viewers lose their minds. Rudolph does a fantastic job leading the skit, tapping into the presenter’s boundless energy. We kind of wish this version of the TV mogul would make another appearance. Including the dramatic ending, this chaotic ride and impersonation feels like just the right amount of zany.

Who would’ve thought that this author would appear on a prank show? “SNL” outdoes themselves with this surprising idea, prompting a hilarious impression from Maya Rudolph. The performer takes center stage with an ability to capture the writer’s voice and age. This version of Angelou pranks various friends and media personalities, having fun as she politely plays with Morgan Freeman and Stephen King. It’s such an odd and calming impersonation that we could easily watch a longer cut of this skit. Rudolph is so comfortable here that she can deliver both jokes and inspirational dialogue with ease.

Channeling the fashion designer’s voice, Maya Rudolph turns an unlikely target into a fountain of comedy. Her take on Donatella Versace is nothing short of hilarious every time we see it. The vocal depth is especially impressive, showcasing Rudolph’s ability to dig deep for her characters. The performer can also take the real woman into absurd situations such as skiing or having to sell Versace Pockets. Rolling with insane skits and ideas, the comedian becomes the fashion icon with blunt lines and a funny attitude. As she typically does, Rudolph pulls off this performance with absolute style.

During her original run on “SNL,” Maya Rudolph played this singer as the fabulous sidekick to Fred Armisen’s Prince. She would later bring the impression back as a host, teaming up with Jay-Z in a funny scene. During other hosting stints, she brought back her impression for a “Hot Ones” sketch. Beyoncé tries to keep her cool even as the spicy wings prove to be too much. The performer disappears into the character as the latter freaks out in a goofy premise. There’s even a sequel that pushes the same idea even further, allowing the comedian to play the role in a complete panic. Rudolph, like Queen Bey, is irreplaceable.

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

Paris Hilton
Maya Transforms the Hotel Heiress into a Clumsy Character That Takes a Hilarious Spill

Lucy Liu
As One of “Charlie’s Angels,” This Version of the Actress Is Both Giggly & Extra Friendly

Scott Joplin
The Actress Plays the Musician as a Time Traveling Talk Show Host in an Absurdly Fun Idea

Natasha Lyonne
Teaming up with Fred Armisen, Maya Does an Impressive Take On the “Russian Doll” Star

In maybe her finest impression, Maya Rudolph transforms into Vice President Kamala Harris. She first debuted the impersonation during the 2020 election cycle with hilarious debate performances. Rudolph manages to capture the politician’s vocal cadence and personality. The show also gives the character a comical way of connecting with younger voters, using memes to try to seem cool. The actress finds a way to add flair to any scene as Harris. She also makes us laugh as she interacts with Martin Short’s interpretation of husband Doug Emhoff. We can’t wait to watch the comedian take on this signature roles once again for the 2024 election.

Did we forget another hilarious “SNL” impression from Maya Rudolph? Let us know in the comments below.