Top 10 Most Hilarious SNL Alumni Cameos
#10: Ana Gasteyer & Molly Shannon
“NPR Delicious Dish: Dusty Muffin”
Betty White’s historic hosting stint in Season 35 was truly one for the books. Several former cast members made cameos, but nothing topped the revival of the iconic “Delicious Dish” sketch. Ana Gasteyer and Molly Shannon slipped right back into their roles as NPR hosts Margaret Jo McCollen and Teri Rialto, two monotone presenters who crack themselves up with the most ridiculous food puns. This time, Betty White plays Florence Dusty, a confectionary genius who brings her famous muffins. From her first line, White steals the show, but it wouldn’t be the same without Gasteyer and Shannon’s oblivious reactions. It’s a masterclass in deadpan humor and a reminder of just how good the two are when they’re sharing a stage.
#9: Bill Hader & Amy Poehler
“Weekend Update: Stefon and Amy”
Seth Meyers anchored “Weekend Update” for nearly a decade, so his final episode was bound to be special. To mark the occasion, the show brought out Bill Hader as Stefon, and Amy Poehler as… well Amy Poehler, to give Meyers a proper send-off. This was barely one year after Stefon and Meyers tied the knot on the show, so it was no surprise that Stefon got a little possessive of his man. Hader and Poehler, who had also co-hosted “Weekend Update” before leaving, took a moment to remind Meyers that life after “SNL” was full of new adventures, and maybe a few weird surprises too. Andy Samberg later joined the party as Meyers closed things out with a sweet, emotional farewell.
#8: Andy Samberg & Dan Aykroyd
“It's a Date”
There were cameos aplenty when Justin Timberlake returned to host “SNL” for the fifth time. After his star-studded Five-Timers monologue, the first live sketch spoofed a dating show, with Timberlake reprising his role as one half of the “motherloving” R&B duo, joined of course by Andy Samberg. Just as the audience finished cheering their return, another iconic duo was revealed: the Two Wild & Crazy Guys, played by none other than Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin. Although Aykroyd had already appeared earlier, seeing him in that classic getup, shimmying like no time had passed, was the sweetest treat of the night. In the end, both duos collided to give us the intergenerational “SNL” collab we never knew we needed.
#7: Cecily Strong
“Trump Mother's Day Cold Open”
We could never get tired of seeing Cecily Strong on our screens. Just weeks after welcoming her first child, the former cast member returned for the first time since her departure in 2022, reviving her spot-on impression of TV host Jeanine Pirro. As the newly appointed U.S. attorney in Washington D.C., Strong’s Jeanine Pirro remains as loud, boisterous and Merlot-obsessed as ever. And she’s just as full of controversial takes on her new position. Strong shines yet again in the role, taking the sketch to new comedic heights when she sprays wine all over Colin Jost after he pops in as Pete Hegseth. Watching her in action again, it’s mind-boggling how Strong never won an Emmy for her phenomenal “SNL” run.
#6: Fred Armisen
“The Parent Trap”
Ever since leaving “SNL” in 2013, Fred Armisen has returned to his old stomping grounds so often, you’d think he lives inside Studio 8H. Over the years, Armisen has revived plenty of his beloved characters, including one of Putin’s Best Friends from Growing Up, alongside Vanessa Bayer. But perhaps his funniest cameo came in Season 48’s “The Parent Trap” sketch, where he played an unlikely stand-in during the filming of a remake of the classic film. At first, his character sticks to the script, but he soon begins tossing out off-the-cuff lines that make no sense for an 11-year-old girl. The appearance wasn’t just a homecoming for Armisen, but also a reunion with host Jenna Ortega, his co-star in the Netflix series “Wednesday.”
#5: Tina Fey & Seth Meyers
“Weekend Update: 13lb Baby Joke-Off”
The “Weekend Update” cinematic universe assembled its own Avengers for Amy Poehler’s hosting gig in Season 51. Poehler, who spent four years behind the famous desk, made her grand return after Colin Jost told a joke about a 13-pound baby. After criticizing his take, Poehler challenged him to a joke-off, enlisting her old partners-in-crime, Tina Fey and Seth Meyers, to help. The OG trio squared off against Jost and Michael Che, trading hilarious punchlines about the same news story. It was a close call, but the veterans edged out the win thanks to Poehler’s perfectly timed self-deprecating zinger. This wasn’t Fey’s only cameo during the episode; she also appeared in the cold open as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, opposite Poehler as Attorney General Pam Bondi.
#4: Jason Sudeikis
“New Girlfriend”
Jason Sudeikis and Fred Armisen spent nine years together on “SNL” before both leaving at the end of Season 38. The two reunited three years later when Armisen returned to host the Season 41 finale, with Sudeikis making a surprise cameo in the “New Girlfriend” sketch. Sudeikis plays a man introducing his new boo, Regine, to his friends at a party. But whenever Regine is shown physical affection, she completely loses control and flails around the room, much to the discomfort of the other party guests. This bit is clearly an excuse to make the cast members break, and it works. At one point, Sudeikis even eats guacamole off Armisen’s shoe. By the end, they’ve managed to break nearly everyone, including the once unshakable Vanessa Bayer.
#3: Dana Carvey
“Harris & Trump Rallies Cold Open”
During his seven-year tenure on “SNL,” Dana Carvey made a name for himself with his hilarious impersonation of George H. W. Bush. More than three decades later, he returned to the show ahead of the 2024 election to play another one-term president: Joe Biden. Carvey debuted his Biden impression in the cold open of the Season 50 premiere, and the crowd went wild. He nailed Biden’s raspy voice, the mix of grandpa charm and confusion, and those trademark Biden-isms we all know too well. After spending two years fine-tuning the impression, Carvey finally brought it to “SNL,” and even Biden’s own team reportedly loved it. The cold open also featured a surprise cameo by Andy Samberg, playing Kamala Harris’ husband, Doug Emhoff.
#2: Maya Rudolph
“Impeachment Town Hall”
Former cast member Maya Rudolph has taken on former Vice President Kamala Harris more than a dozen times on “SNL,” even earning an Emmy for her performance. But it all began here. Back in 2019, when Harris was still a senator and a Democratic primary candidate, Rudolph made a surprise cameo in the “Town Hall” sketch, debuting her now-iconic impression of her. This was our introduction to the smooth-talking, cocktail-sipping funt and everyone was instantly hooked. She kept coming back, each appearance somehow funnier and sassier than the last. So when Harris became the Democratic nominee for the 2024 presidential election, there was no question that Rudolph would return once again. This culminated in a joint appearance with the real Kamala Harris just days before the election.
Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
Adam Sandler, “Gallbladder Surgery”
Sandler Pops Up, Literally, in This Error-Ridden Sketch
Chris Rock, “Election Night”
Rock Joins Host Dave Chappelle for a Hilarious Commentary on the 2016 U.S. Election
Jimmy Fallon, “The Barry Gibb Talk Show: 2024 Election”
Surprisingly, Fallon Doesn’t Break In This Revival of the Talk Show After Over a Decade
Rachel Dratch, “Debbie Downer Wedding Reception”
Dratch Ruins a Wedding Reception With Her Morbid Take On the COVID-19 Pandemic
#1: Will Ferrell
“A Message from Former President of the United States George W. Bush Cold Open”
Even if you didn’t watch “SNL” during Will Ferrell’s tenure, chances are you’ve seen clips of his unforgettable take on George W. Bush. In 2015, he dusted up the impression for one more spin. This time, Ferrell made a surprise appearance to announce his candidacy for president again and roast the field of Republican hopefuls. Although an all too familiar role for Ferrell, he still delivers the laughs, cracking up not just the audience but also himself as he mocks Donald Trump and his immigration policies. Ben Carson, Carly Fiorina, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio are all in his comedic line of fire, with his brother, Jeb Bush, saved for last. This was strategery at its finest.
Which “SNL” alum would you like to see make a cameo on the show? Let us know in the comments below.
