Top 10 SNL Cast Members Who Became Synonymous With Their Impression

Ana Gasteyer’s Celine Dion impression was so good because she didn’t just sound like her(ish)—she became her. In character, she famously declared, “I am the best singer in the world!” with this total, unshakable confidence, and it was hilarious. She nailed the accent, the dramatic vocals, and that larger-than-life diva energy. Even Céline, known for her epic sense of humor, loved it! She invited Gasteyer to a concert, where the “SNL” alum showed up dressed exactly like her and greeted the crowd as the singer (who was loving every moment). She struck the perfect balance of affectionate and absurd, turning it into one unforgettable parody.

She might have been called Baba Wawa, but we all knew exactly who she was meant to be! Radner’s playful parody of Barbara Walters exaggerated the journalist’s speech, turning her r’s into w’s while delivering her segments with an earnest charm. Was the impression perfect? Probably not, but it was so ridiculously funny that it quickly became a fan favorite. It wasn’t intended mean-spiritedly, but Barbara Walters was probably the last person to become a fan. We guess that when your own daughter tells you “to lighten up,” you’ve gotta! When we think back to Radner’s “SNL” legacy, Baba Wawa is always one of the first things that comes to mind—and it still makes us laugh.

You don’t reach the 20-year and counting milestone without racking up some iconic impersonations. Perhaps when you think of Kenan’s impressions your mind takes you to his Charles Barkley? Or maybe you immediately think, “Biiiiig lunch.” For us, it’s his Steve Harvey. Kenan just gets Harvey—he captures his big personality and all his idiosyncrasies, especially his boldness and passion. He totally nails how Harvey can just effortlessly banter with contestants, making the whole impression pop with humor and charisma. It’s become one of Kenan’s most iconic bits on the show. Harvey was initially skeptical of the portrayal but has since come to appreciate it—especially since Kenan’s take is more playful than anything else.

Taking over as commander-in-chief from Dana Carvey, whose memorable George H. W. Bush impression we’ll get to shortly, wasn’t an easy task. But Hartman proved he was more than up to the challenge, nailing Clinton’s mannerisms and inflections. Hartman explained that typically, “SNL” uses the first 100 days of a president’s term to hone in on qualities they can parody, and he definitely did his homework. Still, we’d say the moment Hartman really cemented Clinton as one of his most notable characters was during the McDonald’s sketch, where Clinton chats with everyday people about their real concerns. That’s when audiences truly started to take notice of his talents and knew he was one to watch.

Anyone familiar with JAJ before he joined “SNL” in its 47th season already knew he had an uncanny knack for impersonating a certain U.S. President. What they might not have realized is that he also does a pretty solid Joe Biden—imagine if he’d been around for the 2020 election debate skits! While Trump has been lampooned by many, we reckon this portrayal is the one that’ll stick with people for years—and for good reason. It’s almost eerie how spot-on he is at capturing Trump’s smallest vocal and physical quirks. Caricaturing someone like Trump might seem impossible, but he pulls it off perfectly, cranking up the eccentricity while still giving the audience something to laugh at.

There were so many impressions we could have gone with here, so here’s a whole group of ‘em. What makes her so brilliant is how she leans into the over-the-top side of these characters, taking their elegance and drama and dialing it up to 150. Wiig brings the essence of each star to life in a way that feels fresh but still totally recognizable. Whether it’s Katharine Hepburn, Gloria Swanson, Judy Garland, or anyone else, Wiig taps into what made each of them unique and unforgettable. Plus, she’s so good at capturing the feel of the era that she’s even created her own character based on that same style and energy.

If you’re a “Dateline” fan, you know Hader’s Keith Morrison impression is something else. As a self-proclaimed superfan, he pinpoints Morrison’s calm demeanor, even when delivering the most chilling details. But what really makes it stand out is how Hader plays up just how much his Morrison seems to enjoy those unsettling moments. We’re not gonna lie; for some time, it totally changed the way we watched the show! Plus, he earned the ultimate stamp of approval from Morrison himself. Hader’s range doesn’t stop there—his Vincent Price and Alan Alda are just as remarkable. With his commitment and versatility, Hader has become one of the most unforgettable “SNL” stars.

Carvey’s impression of George H. W. Bush became so iconic that it’s often mentioned right alongside the real president’s legacy. In fact, Bush enjoyed it so much that he reached out to Carvey to express his appreciation, sparking an unexpected friendship between them. After losing the 1992 election, Bush even asked the comedian to cheer up his staff with the impression. Carvey described his take as a base layer of Mr. Rogers with a tad of John Wayne layered on top, and whatever that mix was, fans and Bush loved it! We got to relive the magic when Will Ferrell took on the equally memorable role of George W. Bush after he took office.

We’ll take Comedians Who Became Synonymous with the Impression for 200, Alex! Will Ferrell as a weary Alex Trebek and Norm MacDonald as “Turd Ferguson” (sorry, Burt Reynolds) were hilarious staples of this recurring sketch. But would you believe that Darrell Hammond’s Sean Connery wasn’t originally part of the plan? In fact, it was a spur-of-the-moment idea, and he wasn’t convinced it would work. But he couldn’t have been more wrong. Fans loved his crass take on Connery, with his hilarious mispronunciations and how he'd get under the host's skin. Looking back, Hammond admitted, “It’s easily the most popular thing I’ve ever done... in my whole life.” No wonder he brought it back for the 40th anniversary!

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

Oh My God, We Totally Can’t Unsee Bayer As the Singer & Stuff Like That

Such a Great Balance of Accuracy & Loving Send-Up

They Couldn’t Have Chosen a More Suitable Actor If They’d Tried!

The Pop Star Wishes He Was This Suave!

Pioneering the Way “SNL” Made the People in the Oval Office Feel That Much More Human

It probably only took one look at Sarah Palin during Tina Fey’s tenure on “SNL” for the writers to recognize the goldmine they had with their resemblance. Seriously, they looked so alike that Fox News once accidentally aired a photo of Fey instead of Palin! But it wasn’t just about looks—Palin’s public appearances practically handed “SNL” a treasure trove of material to work with! Fey really leaned into the character, going all out with the voice and mannerisms until they just exploded. She knew how to turn the goofiness up to the max, becoming not just synonymous with the role but cementing it as one of the most iconic “SNL” impressions of all time.


Which “SNL” cast member, past or present, is forever linked to their celebrity impression for you? Let us know in the comments

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[c]BAH-bah WAH-wah
[d]KRIS-ten WEEG
[e]vuh-NESS-uh BY-er
[f]kah-muh-luh harris