Top 10 Politicial Impersonations by Celebrities on SNL
#10: Brad Pitt as Anthony Fauci
In the midst of the worldwide pandemic, the United States’ top epidemiologist, Anthony Fauci, was asked who he’d most like to play him on “Saturday Night Live.” The doc’s response was SB [“Brad Pitt - of course.”] Well, Fauci got his wish. It all went down during a remote episode of the late-night sketch series. Pitt’s appearance, in the best costuming obtainable during the circumstances, was a genuine surprise – and one that landed him an Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.” In a classy move, Pitt’s impression ended with him ultimately breaking character to deliver a heartfelt thanks to Fauci and medical workers everywhere.
#9: John Goodman as Rex Tillerson
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As of the making of this video, John Goodman has hosted “Saturday Night Live” a whopping thirteen times. And, during those outings, he has delivered some truly memorable impersonations – including one of Bill Clinton whistleblower Linda Tripp in the 1990s. Fast-forward to 2018 and Goodman returned to portray another political figure in the news - Donald Trump's then appointed Secretary of State, Rex Tillerson. The lovable actor would end up making three appearances as Rex, the first during a Christmas edition of the series. Goodman was clearly having fun with his portrayal, while also delivering a surprisingly skillful read on the politician.
#8: Ben Stiller as Michael Cohen
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Donald Trump’s personal attorneys sure are kept busy! And, in 2016, when a certain scandal involving Trump and adult entertainer Stormy Daniels broke, his attorney was Michael Cohen. With the story ripe for ridicule on “SNL,” the series tapped Ben Stiller to portray Cohen in multiple cameos. The funny man played the part with a hilarious abundance of nervous energy. His awkwardness in the role was perfect, as were his interactions with others on the show, including the real-life Stormy Daniels at one point! Of course, his most memorable pairing was opposite another celebrated actor as a key figure during that time. Which brings us to…
#7: Robert De Niro as Robert Mueller
When it came to casting Robert Mueller, the special investigator who led an inquiry into potential Russian interference in the 2016 US election, “SNL” enlisted a Bona Fide movie star! The casting of Robert DeNiro was surprisingly spot on, as the impressive hair and makeup work made the renowned actor a dead ringer for the former director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. And while the multi-Oscar winner isn’t known for his sketch comedy work, he clearly committed to the role. The icing on this special cameo cake, however, was having Robert DeNiro recreate the legendary “lie detector scene” from “Meet the Parents” with Ben Stiller’s Michael Cohen!
#6: Matt Damon as Brett Kavanaugh
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In another genuine surprise cameo, A-list actor Matt Damon graced the 30 Rock stage to portray Judge Brett Cavanaugh. Perhaps more surprising, was just how much Damon nailed the impersonation. At the time, Cavanaugh was taking part in a very high-profile sexual misconduct hearing. And so, Matt Damon impressively mimicked (not to mention exaggerated) just how irritated he was at the line of questioning. Add in a little beer shot gunning to close out the bit, and you got one of the most memorable cold opens in “Saturday Night Live’s” history. And hey, that’s saying something!
#5: Jim Carrey as Joe Biden
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When it comes to Joe Biden, many great talents at “SNL” have taken on the role, including Jason Sudeikis and even a special cameo by Woody Harrelson! But, for the 2020 US election, Lorne Michaels and Co brought out the big guns! Yep, Jim Carrey himself would go on to portray the then presidential hopeful on a number of memorable occasions. And what can we say, it was a unique take on ‘ol Joe – one with plenty of Carrey’s trademark energy and facial expressions. He injected a welcome bit of “machismo” into the role also, making for a feistier version of Biden. And it all led to some of the most must-see late-night viewing during the time!
#4: Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer
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Never has a White House press secretary gotten such an epic portrayal. When Melissa McCarthy made a surprise appearance in a 2017 episode of the show as Sean Spicer, audiences lost their collective minds. McCarthy’s take was an instant fan favorite, bringing uproarious laughter thanks to her affinity for physical comedy and fearless mimicry. Not surprisingly, the comedian would be tapped for several more appearances as Spicer with each one being just as beloved as the last. As for what the then press secretary thought of the colorful impression? He admitted that it was “kinda funny.” We on the other hand would go a step forward and call it pure comedic genius!
#3: Larry David as Bernie Sanders
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Having Larry David portray politician and activist Bernie Sanders was a complete no-brainer. The “Curb Your Enthusiasm” star was not only a dead ringer for the Vermont Senator but seemed to already embody a lot of his over-the-top mannerisms. Appearing in plenty of “SNL” presidential debate sketches, David was always a highlight. His boisterous fits were pure comedy gold! I guess you can say it was “pretttttty, pretttttty, pretttttty good!” And, to make the casting even more perfect, it was later discovered that the two are actually distant cousins. Yes, this truly was the role that Larry David was born to play!
#2: Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump
You’d be forgiven if you thought that Alec Baldwin was an official cast member of “Saturday Night Live.” With over forty-five appearances portraying President Donald Trump alone, Baldwin was given plenty of airtime. And, as it turned out, it was well worth it. You see, the recurring impersonation led to some of the show’s biggest ratings ever. Viewers just couldn’t get enough of Alec’s take on Trump – from his pursed lips to his “Trump-ed up” vocabulary. And with “The Donald” seemingly making new headlines every week, it became appointment television to see just how Baldwin was going to skewer him on “Saturday Night Live.”
#1: Tina Fey as Sarah Palin
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Prior to Tina Fey debuting her impression of former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin in 2008, many had already pointed out the physical similarities between the two. And so, when Fey took the stage as the then Vice-Presidential hopeful, audiences couldn’t have been more excited. Fey knocked the whole thing out of the park, giving a surprisingly nuanced performance. It was almost as if as soon as she put on those trademark “Palin glasses,” she transformed completely. The lighthearted ribbing proved a major hit. Tina Fey won a Primetime Emmy for her portrayal and cemented the political parody as the show’s best yet! Which of these celebrity political imitations gets your vote? Don’t be afraid to start a debate in the comments below!
