Top 20 Breaking Character Moments on Saturday Night Live

In 2018, Bill Hader hosted “Saturday Night Live” for the second time since leaving the show five years earlier and he left everyone – including his co-stars – in stitches. In this sketch, Hader plays Horace, the elderly, wheelchair bound husband to “SNL” regular Cecily Strong, who’s attending a game night with her girlfriends. It’s revealed that Horace has just popped a Cialis, causing Strong to hop on his lap as the pill only lasts for a couple of minutes. Hader proceeds to use his vehicular prop to great comedic effect, ultimately causing everyone involved to break character. Hader later discussed the scene on “Late Night with Seth Meyers” and once again struggled to contain his laughter.

The brainchild of Bill Hader and John Mulaney, Stefon was introduced in 2008, and quickly grew to become a fan favorite. The world said goodbye to the Weekend Update correspondent – whose knowledge of New York City’s most bizarre hotspots was both hilarious and unparalleled – in 2013. But since then Stefon has still found time to make a guest appearance or two. In 2018, Stefon returned, along with his lawyer Shy – played by Mulaney – and wasted no time getting everyone to crack up – including Hader, and Update hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che. Hader laughs throughout the entire sketch, leading us to believe he was reading the script for the first time. How else do explain it?

These two iconic characters have made numerous appearances over the years. Played to perfection by Fred Armisen and Kristen Wiig, Garth and Kat are a song writing team that just can’t seem to find time to rehearse their songs. In fact, to get into character, Wiig and Armisen never rehearsed their performances, something Wiig called “freeing and fun." Perhaps that’s why both actors regularly burst into fits of laughter during sketches, as neither knew what to expect from the other! Watching Wiig try and keep up as Armisen just wings a performance is truly amazing. It’s no wonder they couldn’t keep it together!

A recurring sketch from the 80s era of “SNL” involved Billy Crystal parodying Argentinian actor Fernando Lamas in a sketch called “Fernando’s Hideaway.” Crystal would slap on a thick Spanish accent and interview celebrities, often getting their names and other tidbits of personal information wrong throughout the interview. One of the most famous sketches saw Crystal interviewing wrestlers/actors Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. Despite their attempts to keep a straight face, Hogan and Mr. T both break character near the end of the sketch, after Crystal ad-libs a line about exercise equipment. It would appear everyone is susceptible to breaking while in the presence of a gifted comedian like Billy Crystal.

This sketch from 2009 had no shortage of top-notch comedic talent. Tracy Morgan, Keenan Thompson, Jason Sudeikis, Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, and Bobby Moynihan are all featured; and when that many funny people are in a room together, things are bound to get a little silly. The sketch saw Morgan and Thompson playing convicts attempt to scare a trio of kids who were arrested for underage drinking. The only problem? They keep using the plots of popular movies to describe prison. Thompson and Hader are the worst offenders in this one, but everyone cracks at one point or another. You try making it through without letting a smile creep across your face! ‘Cause this here is real!

Featuring “SNL” legends Andy Samberg, Kristen Wiig, Fred Armisen, Bill Hader, Kate McKinnon, Maya Rudolph, and Taran Killam, as well as Paul Rudd, this sketch is a blueprint for how to make A-list comedic talent break character. “The Kissing Family” is a recurring skit that involves an outsider being introduced to an overly affectionate family. In this instance the outsider is played by Killam, and he is justifiably shocked to learn that his boyfriend’s family kiss each other on the lips – among other things – without zero regard for anyone else feels. Armisen cracks first, followed by Hader, but there are fissures of laughter peppered throughout the entire skit. With this much talent in the room, it’s no wonder this sketch devolved into a full-on break-fest.

As long-time friends and collaborators, it isn’t exactly surprising to learn that Justin Timberlake does a mean Jimmy Fallon impression. He got to bust it out during a 2013 appearance on “SNL” during a game of Celebrity Family Feud. And guess who was also playing? Jimmy Fallon. Fallon, whose infamous for his inability to keep it together during sketches, was playing “The Big Bang Theory’s” Jim Parsons. The two celebs went toe-to-toe right off the bat; and immediately had to turn away from the camera to hide their laughter. Later, Timberlake’s impression was so accurate, it caused Fallon to duck behind his podium, struck by a serious case of the giggles. It's classic Fallon…

The late, great Phil Hartman was a fixture on “Saturday Night Live” between 1986 and 1994. In that time, he portrayed a slew of iconic characters, not least of which was his hilarious impression of Frankenstein’s Monster. In this sketch, Frankenstein’s Monster, Tarzan, and Tonto are being asked what they think about things such as fire and bread. This naturally leads to some hilarious responses from the three famously poor speakers. We actually have to applaud Hartman for staying in character as long as he did, however, even the best break eventually. For Hartman, that moment came when he was asked how he felt about a recent nuclear arms treaty. This stuff never gets old.

Introduced in 1999, The Boston Teens made regular appearances during the run of Jimmy Fallon and Rachel Dratch. Known for their thick Boston accents and love of the Red Sox – as well as for constantly bickering and making up – the characters regularly caused others to bust a gut. One of the most infamous cases involved Boston boy Ben Affleck, who simply could not contain his laughter while at a party with The Boston Teens. Watching him say “bro” over and over again while struggling to keep it together is priceless. Naturally, Fallon couldn’t keep a straight face either.

Adam Driver helped “SNL” kick off their 44th season with a handful of hilarious performances that all deserve their time in the spotlight. However, this list is about actors breaking character, so we’ll focus on just one: “Career Day.” In the sketch, Driver plays an elderly and ruthless oil baron who visits his son’s class for career day. Pete Davidson plays the son, and boy is he ever put through the wringer. Driver delivers a blistering performance, causing Davidson to break character on multiple occasions, including the first time he’s addressed. From there, it’s all downhill for the young actor, as Driver never once falters in his performance.

It was clear from the first minute of this sketch that host Ryan Gosling was not going to make it through without breaking character. After being abducted by aliens, Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong and Gosling each recount their experience with the extraterrestrials. However, McKinnon’s version differs wildly from the other two. So much so in fact, that Gosling was basically stifling a laugh for the entire sketch. Strong, Bobby Moynihan and Aidy Bryant all eventually broke; and even McKinnon had to repress a laugh at one point. Later in the episode, Gosling fell victim to a hilarious performance by Aidy Bryant, who’s portrayal of a boundaryless teenager caused him to once again break character.

Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph took a forgettable game show sketch and elevated it to new heights with their hilarious fake European accents. The two “SNL” alumni play off each other beautifully; though that means as soon as one breaks character, the other isn’t far behind. Things start to spiral out of control when the two women rock up in a golf cart. While Wiig immediately catches a case of the giggles, Rudolph manages to stay in character a little longer. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Bill Hader, who has to hide behind his hands to contain his laughter. The whole thing culminates with a still laughing Wiig crashing through the set in a golf cart. Seriously, how do they come up with this stuff?

Surprise, surprise, a sketch featuring Will Ferrell and Jimmy Fallon ended in multiple people breaking character. This iconic bit saw Ferrell and Rachel Dratch playing overly-affectionate lovers soaking in a hot tub and trying to play matchmaker to Fallon and host Drew Barrymore. Well, as you can probably glean from Ferrell’s ridiculous costume, it didn’t take long before everybody was on the verge of a full-on meltdown. Tack on the fact that Ferrell later admitted that the goal was to “make Jimmy Fallon laugh,” and you have the recipe for a sketch that’s guaranteed to have multiple broken characters. Need more proof that Ferrell is character-breaking machine? Check out his “Short Shorts for the USA” clip. You’re welcome.

In this iconic sketch, “SNL” legend Gilda Radner and host Candice Bergen prove that breaking character is as easy as flubbing a single line of dialogue. The slip-up occurs when Bergen accidentally refers to Radner as “Fern,” which is actually the name of Bergen’s character. While Bergen attempts to rectify her mistake, Radner uses her trademark wit to destroy her – quipping, “We all can’t be brainy like Fern here.” At this point, all pretense of finishing the sketch as planned has gone out the window, as both women are dying of laughter. It’s moments like this that make “SNL” so much fun to watch!

Debbie Downer is one of the funniest characters in “SNL's” prestigious repertoire. Brilliantly brought to life Rachel Dratch, DD can instantly transform any situation into a total bummer – for the other characters that is. As far as the audience, cast members and viewers at home are concerned, she’s a riot. One of her most famous appearances occurred at Disney World, where she somehow managed to ruin the “happiest place on earth” with her depressing anecdotes. While Fallon breaks first – shocker – Dratch isn’t far behind. This inevitably caused the whole table to crack up. Horatio Sanz cries and Lindsay Lohan bangs the table in a fit of laughter. All the while Dratch can barely keep it together.

In this hilarious sketch from 2004, host/musical guest Janet Jackson visits a winery and learns how to “soak corks” from a group of Italian wine makers. The scene is littered with double entendres meant to have viewers in stitches. However, as the writers probably assumed when they penned this side-splittingly funny sketch, it was the actors who were laughing harder than anyone! With giggles emanating from all corners of the set, Jackson can barely get her lines out. And honestly, we feel for her. However, the biggest surprise was that perpetual character-breaker Jimmy Fallon stayed composed throughout the entire sketch.

Few comedians are as revered as the late, great, Chris Farley. He could make anyone break with his unique brand of physical humor; and often did. While he has a slew of iconic “SNL” characters, you’d be hard pressed to put any of them above Matt Foley, motivational speaker. In the character’s first “Saturday Night Live” appearance, Farley managed to break host Christina Applegate and “SNL” regular David Spade in seconds with his over-the-top performance; which included hoisting Spade into the air and warning the “teens” about ending up like him. He broke everyone else the moment he screamed “I live in a van down by the river!”. It's priceless.

In this 2001 sketch, host Sean Hayes joined Jimmy Fallon and Will Ferrell in their “Jeffrey’s” sketch, which sees the three men playing retail workers at a high-end clothing store. The gag involves them being extremely rude and condescending to customers who they deem un-stylish. True to form, Fallon is laughing before the skit even begins! Hayes breaks shortly thereafter and for the rest of the sketch, the two men can barely contain their laughter for more than a few seconds. Once Will Ferrell appears on a motorized wheelchair, this sketch is over and done with. Oddly enough, this isn’t the first time a clothing-based sketch involving Horatio Sanz and Jimmy Fallon devolved into one giant character break session. We give you: The Leather Man.

Featuring vets like Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Kattan, Chris Parnell and Horatio Sanz, not to mention the indomitable Christopher Walken, “More Cowbell” is the stuff of sketch comedy legend, and was so the second it began to air. The cast play Blue Oyster Cult, while guest Walken portrays record producer Bruce Dickinson; a man who has a fever for more cowbell. Watching Ferrell gesticulate all over the room in a shirt that’s way, way, way too small, is absolutely side splitting. Walken breaks, Kattan breaks, Sanz breaks, Fallon breaks; even Ferrell breaks! In the pantheon of “SNL’s” worst character breaks, this one takes the cake.

You all knew Stefon would be back at #1! In this all-time moment, fan favorite Stefon stops by “Weekend Update” to advise partygoers on where to find some not-so-family-fun on Halloween. Bill Hader breaks character numerous times, something he’d replicate in an Autumn-themed appearance a couple of years later. As one YouTube commenter points out, it makes you wonder whether Hader developed Stefon’s signature “hand over mouth” quirk as a way to hide his constant giggling. Throughout the clip, Hader finds himself unable to speak, overcome by laughter; and while Seth Meyers does his best to remain composed. He is far from invincible when it comes to keeping a straight face. You know you’ve come up with comedic gold when Hader is crying tears of laughter. Enjoy folks.