The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 38 – Rachel Dratch

For my #38 entry on the Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time, let’s give it up for Rachel Dratch! The Massachusetts native came up at Second City in Chicago alongside Tina Fey before being cast on the legendary sketch show.

Appearing during one of the show’s peak eras, noteworthy impressions included Calista Flockhart and Arianna Huffington. Her upbringing came into play with Boston teen Denise while her “Love-ahs” sketches with Will Ferrell were a bizarre highlight.

Yet any SNL fan knows Dratch’s signature contribution was the brilliant Debbie Downer that resulted in one of the all-time character breaking segments in history. When it comes to characters that have stayed in the consciousness of the public, it’s way up there. #37 will be up soon!

Rachel Dratch

Years on the Show: 1999-2006

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 39 – David Spade

Today we say hello to the buh-bye guy with David Spade at #39 on my Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time. Dana Carvey and Spade teamed up for a podcast where they interview cast members and hosts from the show’s 50-year history. It’s a must listen for fans.

Spade made his own history in studio 8H. Whether in the aforementioned Total Bastard Airlines sketch or as a Gap Girl, doing a first-rate Michael J. Fox impression or alongside Chris Farley in Update bits, his six years on the program were fruitful. His best moments may have been toward the end of his run with his Hollywood Minute/Spade in America segments where he skewered celebs in his signature snarky style. He even managed to anger SNL legend Eddie Murphy when he’d experienced a few flops in a row. #38 will be up soon!

David Spade

Years on the Show: 1990-96

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 40 – Aidy Bryant

Aidy Bryant might not have had many signature characters on SNL during her decade on the show, but she was certainly a consistently solid presence. That especially applies to her Li’l Baby Aidy persona seen in some Digital Shorts or the creepily flirtatious Melanie.

She was part of a golden age of recent female cast members that includes Kate McKinnon, Vanessa Bayer, and Cecily Strong. They haven’t been on this list yet, but Bryant leads off that impressive group. #39 will be up soon!

Aidy Bryant

Years on the Show: 2012-2022

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 41 – Kevin Nealon

When Kevin Nealon departed Saturday Night Live back in 1995, his nine seasons marked the longest tenure on the show up to that point. That record has since been obliterated thanks to Kenan Thompson and others, but Nealon’s lengthy stint on SNL was fruitful.

Whether as Franz of Hans (Dana Carvey) and Franz fame or Mr. Subliminal or Bob Waltman (his clever take on Barbara Walters), Nealon had plenty of humorous moments in a cast era full of all-stars. Carvey, Phil Hartman, and others from the mid 80s to mid 90s will be seen later, but Nealon deserves to make the cut. While his time anchoring Weekend Update couldn’t match some others, his comedic timing is impeccable. On a side note, he’s one of the funniest talk show guests in the medium. Do yourself a favor and search “Kevin Nealon You Got a Minute”. #40 will be posted soon!

Kevin Nealon

Years on the Show: 1986-1995

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 42 – Pete Davidson

I struggled with whether Pete Davidson would make my list of SNL’s Top 50 Cast Members. He hasn’t always been my cup of tea. I’m not a particular fan of his standup. Ultimately he does get in for a couple of reasons.

The most obvious is that a solid portion of his material has been genuinely funny from his 8 years on the program. He started at the age of 20 and he’s most known for playing a version of himself. Oftentimes on Weekend Update bits, he would do just that and comment on his highly publicized relationships. Davidson, more than any other performer in the show’s history, is the kind of cast member we should expect in a reality show world. I’m not sure that’s a positive development, but Davidson shined often anyway.

This includes his movie reviewing alongside John Mulaney, his hilariously oblivious Chad, and his interpretations of Eminem tracks. #41 will be up soon!

Pete Davidson

Years on the Show: 2014-22

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 43 – Cheri Oteri

After her costar Ana Gasteyer came in at #44 on my top 50 SNL Cast Members list, Cheri Oteri clocks in at #43. The former Groundlings performer created some wildly memorable characters in her half decade on the program including Collette Reardon and Rita DelVecchio. There’s also well-known sketches with Will Ferrell including the low intelligence hosts of Morning Latte and, of course, the Cheerleaders.

On the impression front, Oteri’s Barbara Walters was funny enough to rival Gilda Radner’s imitation. This top 50 list has already heavily featured members from the mid 90s to early 00s and that’s no accident. It’s one of the most fruitful eras of SNL and Oteri was a key part of it. #42 will be up shortly!

Cheri Oteri

Years on the Show: 1995-2000

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 44 – Ana Gasteyer

Ana Gasteyer is next up in my Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time at #44. While she wasn’t a breakout star like some others in her timeline, Gasteyer made significant contributions in a loaded cast from the mid 90s to early 00s.

On the impression front, she shined as Martha Stewart, Celine Dion, and Joy Behar. That’s in addition to classic bits alongside Will Ferrell as the desperately trying to be hip high school musical teachers and Molly Shannon as Delicious Dish NPR hosts. #43 will be up soon!

Ana Gasteyer

Years on the Show: 1996-2002

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 45 – Jay Pharoah

My Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time has reached number 45 and it’s one of the most gifted impressionists that the show has seen with Jay Pharoah. The stand-up comic handled the second term impersonating President Obama (taking over for Fred Armisen), but the on point mimicry certainly didn’t stop there. Some of the more memorable portrayals include Jay-Z, Will Smith, Denzel Washington, Shaquille O’Neal, Stephen A. Smith, and even one of SNL’s own Eddie Murphy.

Unlike Murphy, Pharoah never had a stable of fictional characters that broke out. However, he earns placement here due to his real world imitations. #44 will be up soon!

Jay Pharoah

Years on the Show: 2010-2016

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 46 – Jane Curtin

Saturday Night Live officially turns 49 years old today and Jason Reitman’s critically appreciated Saturday Night is out in wide release for the occasion. It recounts the 90 hectic minutes leading up to the iconic show’s premiere. Jane Curtin was there for it. She’s the first original Not Ready for Prime Time Player to make this list. As I wrote in my prelude to these posts, not all of them are included in the top 50 (Laraine Newman, Garrett Morris).

Curtin was more of the straight (wo)man in the program’s early years. She got to stretch every once in a while including as Prymaat Conehead alongside Dan Aykroyd in those bits. Yet it was as one half of the Weekend Update team with Aykroyd and then Bill Murray where she paved the way for future stars like Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Some of her cast mates will be showcased later, but Curtin earns placement for her contributions. #45 will be up soon!

Jane Curtin

Years on the Show: 1975-1980

The Top 50 SNL Cast Members of All Time: Number 47 – Jason Sudeikis

Before becoming a SAG and Golden Globe winner for his heralded role on Apple TV’s Ted Lasso, Jason Sudeikis was part of one of SNL’s finest ensembles in the show’s first half century of existence. He earns the 47 spot in my top 50 cast members.

Sudeikis memorably played Mitt Romney and Joe Biden while also channeling The Devil in Update bits and appearing alongside Kristin Wiig as one half of the A-Holes. Sudeikis was occasionally overshadowed by costars who will appear higher on this list, but he was a glue guy in a top SNL era. #46 will be up soon!

Jason Sudeikis

Years on the Show: 2005-2013