Top 20 SNL Impressions That Made It From Auditions to the Show

#20: Chris Parnell as Tom Brokaw

Before he was on “30 Rock”, this famous comedian was at 30 Rock, wowing “SNL” fans with his repertoire of impressions. One of his most famous parodies was that of renowned newscaster Tom Brokaw. Parnell whipped out this impression when he was asked to audition for “SNL” and got the green light, joining the cast in 1998. Since then, he commendably imitated the NBC legend’s authoritative baritone and trademark cadence in several skits. His impression was instantly recognizable, and he managed to be hilarious without mocking the anchor. It never failed to give us a good laugh.

#19: Kenan Thompson as Al Sharpton

No other “SNL” star has worked on the show longer than the “Good Burger” actor. So, how did he bag the gig of his life? Among other things, Kenan Thompson did a mimicry of Al Sharpton. Although he admitted that his audition was, quote, ‘surreal and very stressful’, he clearly impressed Lorne Michaels. Later, Kenan got to bring his impression of the talk show host and activist to multiple episodes of “SNL”. One time, he even impersonated the “PoliticsNation” host in front of him and nailed every second of it.

#18: Fred Armisen as Sam Waterston

During his “SNL” stint, the “Portlandia” co-creator became known for playing an array of beloved original characters and delivering the most entertaining celebrity impressions. Among them, Armisen’s take on “Law & Order” star Sam Waterston has particularly stuck with fans. He introduced this parody to Lorne while auditioning for him. Unlike many other “SNL” aspirants, he was hardly nervous, and that confidence must have translated into his act, because he made the cut. The Peabody-winning comedian then brought the impersonation to a couple of sketches on the show and cracked us up each time.

#17: Jimmy Fallon as Adam Sandler

Doing an impression of the celebrity you’re a fan of can go one of two ways – you either do it better than anyone else, or you mess it up because you’re too nervous. Luckily for Jimmy Fallon, his impression of Adam Sandler, whom he admires, kick-started his “SNL” career. On his second time auditioning for the show in 1998, he parodied several stars, including the “Happy Gilmore” actor. His version of Adam was so spot-on that it was included in a “Celebrity Jeopardy!” sketch that same year. When Jimmy told Adam he’d be impersonating him on “SNL”, the older actor asked him to do it for him first, and instantly gave him his seal of approval. Fallon played him again when Sandler hosted in 2019.

#16: Darrell Hammond as Bill Clinton

When it comes to parodying celebrities on “SNL”, few can rival the range of this actor. He has over a hundred impressions under his belt. Among them, he is best known for playing the 42nd President of the United States, Bill Clinton. It is also the impression he did the most on the show. After all, his portrayal of the politician is what got him into “SNL” in the first place. He had already auditioned for the show twice and failed both times before a producer discovered his Bill Clinton imitation. He was called in to audition again, and this time, he secured the job. On the show, Hammond gave audiences his flawless Bill Clinton mimicry over ninety times.

#15: Dana Carvey as Robin Williams

“The Master of Disguise” star is also the master of impressions. Dana Carvey’s audition for “SNL” is easily one of the best of all time. An impression he did during the tryout that earned him major laughs was that of Robin Williams. The two performers had known each other for a while by then, and Carvey copied the “Dead Poets Society” star’s voice to a T. When the Oscar-winning actor appeared on “SNL” in 1988, the duo even did a sketch together where Dana gave us his take on Williams’s celebrated character Mork from “Mork & Mindy”. Needless to say, it was a treat to watch the stars play off of each other.

#14: Andy Samberg as Alan Rickman

The “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” star went through two rounds of auditioning to clinch his spot on “SNL”. The first time he tried out for the show, he did an impression of Hans Gruber, the “Die Hard” character played by Alan Rickman. It did the trick and got him a callback for a second test, which he ultimately passed as well. So, it only made sense for him to bring back the impression once he had settled in as a cast member. Viewers got to see Andy’s Hans in the 2009 sketch “Bad Guys, Good Conversation”, and it was an immediate hit.

#13: Taran Killam as Brad Pitt

The “Single Parents” actor once called trying out for “SNL” one of the most difficult auditions of his career. After all, he had to do it three times before he got cast. Across those tests, he presented Lorne with a whole host of impressions, including those of “SNL”’s very own Jimmy Fallon and Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks. However, it was the Brad Pitt impression he did in the audition that ended up becoming a fan-favorite when he brought it over to the show. Not only did Killam imitate the “Fight Club” star’s facial expressions perfectly, but his delivery was also on point, which made his Brad unforgettable.

#12: Bobby Moynihan as Nathan Lane

Like most people hoping to get into “SNL”, the “Mr. Mayor” actor walked into the audition room with a few impressions up his sleeve. One of them was a parody of Nathan Lane. His act was a play on Lane’s award-winning turn as Pseudolus in “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”. However, Moynihan wasn’t particularly proud of it and even called it, quote, ‘the dumbest joke in the world’. After being cast on “SNL”, he impersonated Lane again a number of times. Whenever he burst into song with Lane’s flair or copied his signature mannerisms, we couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

#11: Andy Samberg as Jimmy Fallon

We know, we know. This is the second time the “Lee” actor has appeared on this list. Can you blame us, though? Andy Samberg’s just that good! For his “SNL” audition, he played a very specific version of Jimmy Fallon – Jimmy Fallon at a funeral. He apparently picked it because of the contrast between the solemnity of the situation and Jimmy’s perpetual liveliness. Interestingly, it was Jimmy who connected Andy to Lorne Michaels, helping him get his foot in the Studio 8H door. In a full circle moment, when Fallon returned to “SNL” as a host in 2011, he starred in the same sketch as Andy, with the “B99” star playing his mirror image. The pair matched each other’s energy and gave us comedy gold.

#10: Seth Meyers as Hugh Grant

Not known for his impressions, Seth Meyers still utilized them during his audition. This included a take on a famous British actor. Before he became a “Weekend Update” anchor, Meyers played Hugh Grant in the early 2000s. He got a decent amount of laughs for his accent and timing. Opposite Gwyneth Paltrow, the performer showed that he clearly had promise as a sketch player. He also knows how to make the bumbling rom-com star relatable and hilarious. While he might’ve turned into a desk anchor, the comedian might have more hidden talents than you’d think.

#9: Vanessa Bayer as Miley Cyrus

Leaning heavy on an accent, Vanessa Bayer stood out on the show for her Miley Cyrus impression. She came to her audition ready to make fun of the TV actress and singer. Once she made it on the show, Bayer turned her impersonation into a long-running sketch. The cast member transformed the entertainer into a talk show host. Both singing and talking, the comedian banters with Jason Sudeikis’ Billy Ray Cyrus. She even interviewed the pop star while the latter played Justin Bieber. Without missing a beat, she keeps the energy up alongside major co-stars.

#8: Darrell Hammond as Phil Donahue

During his lengthy tenure on “SNL,” Darrell Hammond gave some of the most pinpoint impressions ever. He might be best known for his Sean Connery, but he can also do Phil Donahue. His audition included the talk show host and figures like Bill Clinton. The presenter’s speech patterns couldn’t be closer, adding to a great appearance on “Celebrity Jeopardy!” For those that remember the Donahue program, this impersonation will work even better. This particular version deserves mention alongside the impressionist’s finest characters. He eventually played the TV personality six times as a “Saturday Night Live” cast member.

#7: Kate McKinnon as Penélope Cruz

As one of the more versatile performers of her time, Kate McKinnon developed all kinds of political and celebrity impressions. She also brought a funny idea to her audition. Playing Penélope Cruz, McKinnon put the Spanish actress in a fake commercial. The concept was good enough to make it on the show. When Sofía Vergara hosted, “SNL” cast the “Modern Family” lead next to this Cruz impression. The unlikely pair mispronounce ingredients in a silly ad parody. There’s elements of the performance that could be considered accurate, with little nuances for fans of the star’s career. The performer knows how to blend both physical and verbal comedy into one great piece of work.

#6: Ana Gasteyer as Martha Stewart

Not only was this comedian prepared to do the show, she also had this impression ready to go. Ana Gasteyer seemed destined to play Martha Stewart. Her audition even included her wearing a wig, bringing even more authenticity to the part. When she was cast, Gasteyer made the role one of her signatures. She’s especially skilled at channeling the TV host’s laid back personality. Through holiday guides, the performer keeps Stewart even-keeled through the likes of a Halloween surprise. She makes the part her own to such a degree that you wouldn’t want anybody else doing it.

#5: Jay Pharoah as Denzel Washington

With an underrated run on “SNL,” Jay Pharoah should be considered among the better impressionists of his era. His Denzel Washington is one highlight among many other impersonations. Capturing the performer’s intensity, Pharoah locks into his performance. His ability to channel Washington’s “Training Day” persona is unmatched. While he performed this in his role in his audition, he later stole sketches with this intensity. He can make action movie parodies of “Unstoppable” even more exciting with his delivery. For anyone that loves the Oscar-winning actor, you’ll enjoy hearing this salute to one of the Hollywood greats.

#4: Jimmy Fallon as Jerry Seinfeld

For his successful audition, Jimmy Fallon found a way to make the tough audience laugh. He also brought out an impression of Jerry Seinfeld. Fallon knew how to recreate the stand-up comedian’s rhythms. He even did the performance opposite the actual guy. On a “Weekend Update” feature, Seinfeld sat next to the cast member and reacted in real time. It’s amazing to watch a performer do one of his original impressions in a funny sketch. The impersonation explores the reality underneath all of the exaggeration. Proving his talent for mimicry, the “Tonight Show” host was clearly destined to work on “SNL.” This also includes his goofy work as Adam Sandler.

#3: Bill Hader as Al Pacino

In the 2000s and 2010s, Bill Hader was a clear standout on “Saturday Night Live.” The cast member unleashed a number of impressions at his audition. On the show, he brought out one of those great efforts to wow audiences. The performer did an accurate impersonation of the Oscar winner in his older years. With a trademark growl and deeper sound, the comedian appeared as the “Scarface” star on his first episode. Playing Pacino several times, Hader arguably made it one of his best characters. He would even return as a host to play the legend. With multiple appearances, we wish that the “SNL” favorite got more chances to play the film icon.

#2: Will Ferrell as Harry Caray

Only this comedian could’ve turned this sportscaster into a comedic icon. Will Ferrell brought his Harry Caray impression to his audition, fully-prepared with the voice. It translated well to Ferrell’s early appearances on “Weekend Update.” The impersonation also worked in a more absurd talk show format. His version of Caray became more ridiculous with time, turning into a man that loves to talk science and ask odd questions. With the hair and glasses, the comedian provided plenty of details for audiences to love. The skits veered far from the original target, but it became all the more entertaining each time.

#1: Dana Carvey as Jimmy Stewart

He certainly ranks high among “SNL” impressionists, but this one deserves even more attention. Dana Carvey makes a Jimmy Stewart impression seem easy. He brought several impersonations to his audition, but this one could easily be called one of his finest. Carvey finally utilized the voice when he was on the show. During a sketch parody of “It’s a Wonderful Life,” the comedian nearly transformed into the actor. It might be slightly exaggerated, but it finds a way to blend the cadence and tone of the Hollywood legend. As a fearless performer, he also brought out his Robin Williams next to the real man.

Which “SNL” cast member, past or present, do you think had the best audition? Tell us in the comments!