Top 10 SNL Impressions That Became Iconic

Who can’t Bill Hader impersonate? In his impressive run on “SNL,” the comedian turned ordinary people into wacky characters. This includes transforming Keith Morrison from “Dateline” into a certifiable freak. Hader’s version loves to hear the juicy details of awful crimes, pestering witnesses and perpetrators in interviews. The actor’s wide-eyed intensity and big reactions only serve to make this funnier. It’s clear the performer has a genuine affection for the real man, but he’s not afraid to poke fun at the TV personality either. The long-running skit attracted raves from fans and even mention from the target himself.

Throwing herself into every scene, Kate McKinnon is nothing short of dedicated. Her take on Justin Bieber remains one of her defining roles. It’s an unlikely casting choice that she absolutely earns through every goofy moment. With a new hairstyle and specific body movements, the actress completely turns into a pop star. It’s an entertaining way to critique the celebrity without being too mean. She even spoofs the vocalist’s Calvin Klein ads, playing the singer with a childlike energy. McKinnon brings the part back for multiple sketches including “Family Feud” and “Celebrity Jeopardy!” In both cases, the performer shows that the versatile impression is the source of endless material.

This is yet another case of “SNL” taking bold steps that have huge returns. Melissa McCarthy takes command of the screen as Sean Spicer. It’s an extraordinary and physical performance, taking the White House Press Secretary into wonderfully absurd territory. McCarthy doesn’t hold back as she uses props or goes off on other characters. This version of Spicer openly lets the press know how he feels, even attacking them at a few points. The entire premise lets the actress show off her comedic abilities throughout multiple scenes. It’s clear the audience loves the recurring role, with the star earning laughs in one of her signature parts.

Over several years, Maya Rudolph developed a nuanced impression of Kamala Harris. She first wowed audiences in the Democratic debate sketches. The earlier version caught attention for trying to become a viral sensation with social media jokes. As the vice president, the actress took the role even further as she built an even more accurate impersonation. Her work garnered an Emmy partly for capturing the essence of Harris’ public persona. Rudolph arguably got even better in the 2024 election, working with eclectic co-stars who helped bring out new facets of the character. She also starred alongside the leader in a skit full of entertaining surprises.

In one of her silliest roles, Gilda Radner makes fun of TV interviews as Barbara Walters. Well, Baba Wawa, but common. We all know who she’s impersonating! The key to this fun impression is the voice. It might not sound exactly like Walters, but it really turns comic exaggeration into an art form. Radner somehow keeps a straight face while having one of the more outrageous deliveries in “SNL” history. Talking to Henry Kissinger and Marlene Dietrich, the character pops off the screen with her funny asides. You don’t have to understand a word to laugh along at the comedian’s performance. As one of the great showcases of her style, the cast member’s retrospectives are incomplete without this role.

Of all the recurring sketches in the “SNL” canon, “Celebrity Jeopardy!” remains one of the best. Darrell Hammond’s impression of Sean Connery stands as an essential part of the series, bringing both hilarity and irreverence to every appearance. It’s an off-the-wall take on a film legend who constantly makes fun of Will Ferrell’s Alex Trebek. Hammond’s hilarious performance is one of his most popular roles, throwing the game show for a loop with every satisfying line. His broad impersonation turns the screen icon into a funny trickster. Without fail, this Connery always entertains as a man obsessed with bringing down the system.

It’s hard to pin down Eddie Murphy’s genius into one “SNL” role. His James Brown might be the best example of his versatility, with the part giving him a chance to sing and dance. It’s one of several characters who show off his vocal skills along with his classic riff on Stevie Wonder. Putting the soul legend into a talk show setting, this wild skit is a comedy rollercoaster ride. It might be the greatest impression of Brown that captures the man’s essence and turns it into comedy gold. This version of the singer takes over the stage, worrying about the temperature of his hot tub. It’s such an enjoyable concept that it’s lived on as one of Murphy’s signature sketches.

At first glance, you might not have imagined George H.W. Bush to be an easy man to play. Dana Carvey proved everyone wrong, turning it into a long-running part of the show’s political skits. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the performer perfected the impression with catchphrases and funny addresses. He even returned to star opposite Will Ferrell’s amazing impersonation of George W. Bush. The comedian managed to turn the politician into a goofball that was full of fun eccentricities. Carvey continues to prove he’s one of the finest impressionists in “SNL” history, with this character ranking high amongst his comedic catalog.

During the first season of “SNL,” Gerald Ford was president of the United States. Chevy Chase quickly asserted himself as one of the standout performers whilst impersonating this politician. Rather than trying to look or sound like Ford, the comedian decided to turn the target into a clumsy character. The role then became one of the highlights of Chase’s brief tenure on the show. He earned national attention for his performances as the commander-in-chief, spilling water and falling over in recurring sketches. The actor took serious dives to earn laughs, becoming one of the first breakout stars of “Saturday Night Live” for his dedicated impression.

Even with all of her work as a cast member, Tina Fey’s most memorable role came after she left “SNL.” She was cast as Sarah Palin during the 2008 election season and quickly became a stand-out. Fey felt like a shoo-in to match the governor’s look, but she really impressed with her hilarious performance. She also nailed the voice and general personality traits of Palin. The power of her presence was undeniable, reminding everyone that Fey should never be counted out as a sketch performer. She fit the character so well that all of her dialogue and catchphrases felt natural. Many fans of the show likely think of this impression when they look back on the comedian’s work.