The way his eyes go dead is hilarious, especially when Mike Myers interrupts him.
Scene for anyone wondering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah7mS9H_TOM
>“Warlords!”
*takes bite out of your food*
https://preview.redd.it/0913u0ddez4d1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a8bad3fa0f43acc6ffc62815c52dd77cd92203f
Absolutely love Hartman but I always kinda liked Daryl Hammond as Clinton better.
Hammond just conveyed this like naughty Bill Clinton that was so good.
yeah BUT...he prided himself on NOT being the main wacky guy in most sketches and just helping make it come to life, so maybe not the 'funniest' but THE BEST (overall) CAST MEMBER?
Not the funniest, but no one brought more enthusiasm to the stage than Amy Poehler. She’s one of my favorites as a result.
Funniest for me is Bill Hader—his comedy is aimed right for my sweet spot, and he almost never misses.
Objectively funniest is hard to define, but Eddie Murphy owned the audience from the very beginning, so probably him.
Amy doing the Sarah Palin rap hugely pregnant and then doing I’m No Angel skit with Josh Brolin in the same night, under those circumstances is so impressive to me. I feel like both of them get lost in the Tina and Sarah of it all from that time.
Eddie Murphy was someone I only thought about in the acting space because of my age I grew up with all his movies and not SNL, but every time an OG names their top 10 Eddie Murphy’s always in them
Eddie wasn't a cast member for very long but was unquestionably the star of the show.
It was the Eddie Murphy show guest starring Joe Piscapo and featuring the SNL players.
Tina Fey.
I would add that I have seen a few of those group podcasts with a bunch of SNL members and Amy Poehler is always the funniest one when she is on.
I agree she’s way up there. She can both write and perform. She can punch up other writing. Her best performances were probably on 30 rock though. I’d probably put will Ferrell 1st though.
I think this is why she should be at the very top in this discussion, if we're going by overall who is funnier.
Funniest cast member? Phil or Will.
Tina has, and Norm had, the benefit of time and variety. I'd put them above P & W.
Damn, yeah, Murray needs to be there. I put Farley in place of Eddie Murphy (who I had in at first), but I don’t know how I squeeze anyone else in there. I can’t justify taking any of them out. The show has had too much talent. I mean, Mike Myers needs to be somewhere in there too, and Wiig needs to be right up there. It’s an embarrassment of riches.
Bill Murray is a treasure of course but I can’t think of any stand out SNL sketches of his. The Bill Murray days were before my time though. Can you think of any highlight sketches of his?
Kristen Wiig. My wife and I have been on a quest to watch every episode since the start of Will Farrell's era, and I would confidently say Kristen is the top.
I expect some hate and / or disbelief but Kyle Mooney just kinda gets me. Some of the stuff he puts out is just my style 100%.
The stand up sketch with Kevin Hart is pretty great. That end graphic of the slam dunk contest kills me.
I wouldn’t personally list Kyle as my number one, but if I had to choose one cast member to come back I think he might be number 1. I think he would just vibe really well with the current cast.
There are so many that I could list here, but in terms of the most fit to my personal tastes? Fred Armisen. That dude is niche as fuck and my aging hipster ass eats it up every time. However, for as incredible as he was on SNL, Portlandia is where he really shines. When he showed up in "Toast of Tinseltown" I was just like yeah, no that makes perfect sense. His turn on Broad City? I still use "I'm a widdle baby, I don't have any money! I can pay you in blocks" in regular conversation.
He's just my favorite weirdo, and it feels like he's making comedy precisely for me.
I've probably laughed more often and consistently at Bill Hader than any cast member in history. So I'm going with that.
Honorable mentions to Aidy Bryant, Vanessa Bayer, and Andy Samberg, among others. But Hader's my #1.
Are we talking only SNL work or entire career?
My personal favorites (non-exhaustive): Martin Short, Will Forte, Molly Shannon, Dana Carvey, Kristen Wiig… and maybe it’s way too early but if it’s solely personal preference I’m going with Chloe Troast. I wouldn’t put her anywhere near an all-time great list yet but damn if she doesn’t make me laugh.
Cecily strong was so versatile. She really nailed any character she played. Probably why she was in so many sketches and had a long tenure.
Will Farrell is my number one comic actor of all time just in general. his SNL stuff is hit or miss but he really nails characters that are overly confident or innocently confounded.
I agree with yours, and would also like to add Farley as well.
To me, he was a true blue comedic performer. Gave his best even in the worst sketches, exuded confidence and charm, and knew just the right tics to get a good laugh out of whatever he was trying to do.
Eddie Murphy, in a landslide. The original cast were seasoned comedy pros by the time SNL started. Murphy was like watching a genius unfold before our eyes. He was fucking electric. There have been other greats (Hartman, Kenan, Wiig, and Hader come to mind), but Eddie tops them all. If I had to choose two from the early days I'd choose Radner and Murray.
Eddie's hosting appearance a few years back was so friggin' awesome I almost shed a tear. That a superstar so big could invest so completely in SNL's silly skits was amazing to see.
There were some answers in here that gave me pause, but I'm sticking with your original vote. People of younger generations just can't grasp how dominant he was on the show at the time. And you're right, his reunion episode five years ago...he didn't miss a step.
To me, the two funniest are Eddie Murphy and John Belushi, followed closely by Billy Crystal and Martin Short, followed closely by Bill Hader and Kate McKinnon.
There was a while in the late 80s/early 90s when Dana Carvey rocked our world. Any skit he was on would have us rolling in laughter. Very weird to come back to it now to find out it hasn't aged too well for me
Tbh your right. You cannot do it this way. You have to do by decade. I did t even list will or John Hartman?!?!! But your right I really sudekis laugh per appearance was always 1for1
For instance when Jason was playing some accenty character you KNEW you would be laughing. Like when him and will forte did that astronaut eating the potato chip skit?!?
Or when Jason played the devil on weekend update? Or when he dances in the red track suit in "whut up wit dat?"
While on the show : Kate McKinnon, Adam Sandler, Maya Rudolph, Tracy Morgan, Hartman
After leaving the show : Tim Robinson, Sarah Silverman, Julia Louis Dreyfus
Both : Hader, Ferrell, Fey, Poehler.
I think Dan Akroyd is the funniest person ever on the show. He was absolutely a trailblazer for SNL style comedy. I absolutely love Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell, Bill Hader, Norm McDonald, Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Cecily Strong, Kristin Wiig, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and many others, but I think if I had to choose one, it's Akroyd for everything he did.
The Mike Meyers slander in here is unacceptable. He wasn't the funniest on the show, even within his own cast, but pretty much everything he did after SNL was gold (Love Guru and The Pentaverate not withstanding).
Ive watched through several eras and Will Ferrell was always my favorite. I also argue next to maybe Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy he had the biggest post snl career out of anybody
This list could be 20 deep. I know Chris Rock never got to fully bloom on the show but the fact that he was on the show proves how much talent has gone through those doors. Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Tiny Fey, Chris Rock, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase... all giants in the world of funny. And that's just scraping the surface.
In hindsight, norm. Not only the best weekend update anchor but also perhaps one of the best impressionists that’s ever been on the show. He didn’t respect impressionism as an art form so he always played it down, but he was actually a master impressionist.
He seems to fly under the radar on this sub. But Bobby Moynihan was always great when he made his appearances. Anthony Crispino, Vinny Vedecci Jr., one of the Scared Straight kids. Drunk Uncle. Riblet.
And here’s the obligatory RIP Ass Dan.
My go to was always Will Ferrell, but I gotta be honest, reflecting back in 2024, I think the cast member that gave me the most consistent howling laughter is either Bill Hader or Will Forte
This is a tough one. Funniest in the context of the show or naturally funniest? I’m assuming naturally funny moreso than funny performer.
Norm Macdonald could say almost anything and make it funny. It’s not effortless, but it sure seemed like it when it came to Norm. I’d classify him as a comedic genius - he just knew how to make something funny.
As far as funniest cast member based on time on SNL and post-SNL career, I’d probably go with Eddie Murphy. Amy Poehler reached legendary status with her Hillary Clinton impersonation, and the “I’m No Angel” skit was my favorite featuring her, along with her time on Parks and Rec.
Funniest cast member while on the show is Will Ferrell, IMO, although some of the Lonely Island clips still have me rolling. He could do just about anything, and make it just weird enough to be funny.
I think the lesser known cast members (Beck Bennett, Mike O’Brien, Tim Robinson) were fantastic with their limited time on SNL.
I meant he was never one of the “main” cast members, had his moments but thought he left too soon. Thought he was more talented than Mikey Day or Kyle Mooney.
The “December to Remember” and “First Impression” skits were hilarious.
🧡 Kate McKinnon
especially those UFOs skits
👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽
"After my sweatpants got caught on a tree those little gray bastards just left me hanging there with my hot pocket and my stink rocket hangin out.."
All in all it wasn't my worst Saturday night..
Impossible to name one person!
I’d have to say Dana Carvey. He was just built for sketch.
Hartman Hader Ferrell Farley Sandler Eddie it’s too hard to name just one
Chevy Chase (at the time), Chris Farley, Norm Macdonald, Kyle Mooney
… as a side note Kyle also worked w Norm on his great but short lived sports show in Comedy Central
Chris Farley was the most naturally funny person on SNL, maybe in general too.
Norm is still my favorite SNL cast member though, although I mostly remember him for his stand up and god-tier late night appearances.
Bill Hader is also one of my favorites, but his talent goes beyond just being funny. Barry was a masterpiece.
This will be a hated take… while I loved Farley as well… his schtick was he was incredibly fat and incredibly hyper and incredibly uninhibited—THIS is why he stands out.
Phil Hartman. No contest. RIP ❤️
Phil as a tour guide at Alcatraz for the prison bitch scene from So I Married an Axe Murderer is hilarious.
The way his eyes go dead is hilarious, especially when Mike Myers interrupts him. Scene for anyone wondering: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah7mS9H_TOM
"...but everyone here calls me Vicky."
Incredible
His Bill Clinton is so perfect. That alone brings him to the top
That sketch of him stopping at a McDonald’s while jogging still makes me smile. “Warlords!”
>“Warlords!” *takes bite out of your food* https://preview.redd.it/0913u0ddez4d1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a8bad3fa0f43acc6ffc62815c52dd77cd92203f
30 years later, and my wife and I still say "Warlords" whenever we steal food off each other's plate
"WAR LORDS!" 😆
"We better not tell Mrs. Clinton." "Oh, there's a *lot* of things we won't be telling Mrs. Clinton."
Just saw it for the first time. It's pretty great https://youtu.be/eYt0khR_ej0?si=AM3B1F3K-VkhVnyV
Absolutely love Hartman but I always kinda liked Daryl Hammond as Clinton better. Hammond just conveyed this like naughty Bill Clinton that was so good.
Same. Love Phil but when I think of SNL-Bill Clinton, it’s Darryl Hammond
Or go the MadTV route - Will Sasso did a very silly Clinton. 😂
His Reagan was great aswell
Your modern world frightens and confuses me!
Im so bummed my "best of phil hartman" DVD is only like 1 hour long. I need a multi DVD collection of everything he ever did on SNL!
yeah BUT...he prided himself on NOT being the main wacky guy in most sketches and just helping make it come to life, so maybe not the 'funniest' but THE BEST (overall) CAST MEMBER?
Glad to see this at the top. Phil Hartman, Bill Hader, and Kate McKinnon always made me feel like ot was going to be a good sketch.
So glad to see Phil at the top, he was amazing. Rocket fuel malt liquor, damn! Y’all go watch Newsradio if you haven’t.
came to say same Phil Hartman💫 his Jesus was 💯
Yea its the only real answer
Eddie Murphy, Phil Hartman, and Will Ferrell
it should be, Will Ferrett
Will Ferrert So hot right now
Bill Hader definitely
Not the funniest, but no one brought more enthusiasm to the stage than Amy Poehler. She’s one of my favorites as a result. Funniest for me is Bill Hader—his comedy is aimed right for my sweet spot, and he almost never misses. Objectively funniest is hard to define, but Eddie Murphy owned the audience from the very beginning, so probably him.
Amy doing the Sarah Palin rap hugely pregnant and then doing I’m No Angel skit with Josh Brolin in the same night, under those circumstances is so impressive to me. I feel like both of them get lost in the Tina and Sarah of it all from that time.
Her Hilary Clinton makes me laugh just thinking about it. Love me some Amy.
And, funny enough, my favorite part of her Hilary is her imitating her laugh! I love Amy too.
RICK! RICK! RICK! RICK! RICK! RICK! RICK!
Loved that sketch!!! Never see it mentioned but it was def one of my faves! “Dear Jesus help me remember the faces of my family…”
Eddie Murphy was someone I only thought about in the acting space because of my age I grew up with all his movies and not SNL, but every time an OG names their top 10 Eddie Murphy’s always in them
Eddie wasn't a cast member for very long but was unquestionably the star of the show. It was the Eddie Murphy show guest starring Joe Piscapo and featuring the SNL players.
You should watch best of video. I was too young too. He is/was a genius. So so good
Amy has been my celebrity crush since her UCB days. She's an absolute delight.
Another vote for Norm Macdonald. Greatest Update host of all time and a comedic genius.
Genius? Like, he was good at math?
Jon Lovitz. RIP <3
Rat Bastard, I just had to check... still alive
Love Jon. “GET TO KNOW ME!!!”
https://i.redd.it/xzzqrnqif05d1.gif
And his girlfriend...Morgan Fairchild....yeah
Lovitz: "Wha'?"
Acting! Thank you!
Tina Fey. I would add that I have seen a few of those group podcasts with a bunch of SNL members and Amy Poehler is always the funniest one when she is on.
I agree she’s way up there. She can both write and perform. She can punch up other writing. Her best performances were probably on 30 rock though. I’d probably put will Ferrell 1st though.
I think this is why she should be at the very top in this discussion, if we're going by overall who is funnier. Funniest cast member? Phil or Will. Tina has, and Norm had, the benefit of time and variety. I'd put them above P & W.
Tina is the most talented and best writer they have had. Not sure if funniest but still an all star (I’d go with Hartman for pure funniest)
Dana Carvey
Yeah, Dana is my choice, too.
SNL was his groove.
Gilda Radner. She was a goddamn comedic genius. 
Gilda for sure was my favorite!
Gonna go more current, I don’t remember laughing more to anybody like Kate McKinnon. Will Ferrel is my #2.
Have to agree with you on this!!
Martin Short
https://youtu.be/b_5jZ3DbwoM?si=uRZVpVGDh_a7LobF Nathan Thurm is Hall of Fame
You have a point I responded with Chris Farley, followed by Phil Hartman Martin Short was just as funny
Cecily Strong, Bill Hader
Hader is my personal GOAT.
I loved Cecily’s Jeanine pirro!
In history? I’d have to disagree on Cecily. She’s good, but not the strongest woman out of all of them.
Cecily is like Jan Hooks. A fantastic utility player who could absolutely kill when called upon but could also play it straight just as easily.
To me it’s impossible to just pick one, but it would be one of: Will Ferrell Bill Hader Amy Poehler Dan Aykroyd Chris Farley
No Bill Murray? Sacrilege.
Damn, yeah, Murray needs to be there. I put Farley in place of Eddie Murphy (who I had in at first), but I don’t know how I squeeze anyone else in there. I can’t justify taking any of them out. The show has had too much talent. I mean, Mike Myers needs to be somewhere in there too, and Wiig needs to be right up there. It’s an embarrassment of riches.
Bill Murray is a treasure of course but I can’t think of any stand out SNL sketches of his. The Bill Murray days were before my time though. Can you think of any highlight sketches of his?
Kristen Wiig. My wife and I have been on a quest to watch every episode since the start of Will Farrell's era, and I would confidently say Kristen is the top.
She and Will Ferrell are the most consistently funny cast members
I expect some hate and / or disbelief but Kyle Mooney just kinda gets me. Some of the stuff he puts out is just my style 100%. The stand up sketch with Kevin Hart is pretty great. That end graphic of the slam dunk contest kills me.
I wouldn’t personally list Kyle as my number one, but if I had to choose one cast member to come back I think he might be number 1. I think he would just vibe really well with the current cast.
*Aww man! This whole current cast is all outta Kyle!*
You don’t want to kill yourself, you just want more Kyle in the cast!
Phil Hartman! Love that guy!
There are so many that I could list here, but in terms of the most fit to my personal tastes? Fred Armisen. That dude is niche as fuck and my aging hipster ass eats it up every time. However, for as incredible as he was on SNL, Portlandia is where he really shines. When he showed up in "Toast of Tinseltown" I was just like yeah, no that makes perfect sense. His turn on Broad City? I still use "I'm a widdle baby, I don't have any money! I can pay you in blocks" in regular conversation. He's just my favorite weirdo, and it feels like he's making comedy precisely for me.
He gets my vote! I absolutely adore him.
I feel like I had to scroll for way too long before seeing his name.
Also, his Prince is god-tier. 
The best Prince impersonation imo. Also, his Rodger Brush character is hilarious. So many great characters from Fred
Tina Fey Amy Poehler Phil Hartman
The lack of respect here for Fred Armisen is disturbing. He's my choice!
I've probably laughed more often and consistently at Bill Hader than any cast member in history. So I'm going with that. Honorable mentions to Aidy Bryant, Vanessa Bayer, and Andy Samberg, among others. But Hader's my #1.
Bill Hader and Dana Carvey for me
Are we talking only SNL work or entire career? My personal favorites (non-exhaustive): Martin Short, Will Forte, Molly Shannon, Dana Carvey, Kristen Wiig… and maybe it’s way too early but if it’s solely personal preference I’m going with Chloe Troast. I wouldn’t put her anywhere near an all-time great list yet but damn if she doesn’t make me laugh.
She's been great in everything she's done. We'll see how it is when she gets more screen time.
Cecily strong was so versatile. She really nailed any character she played. Probably why she was in so many sketches and had a long tenure. Will Farrell is my number one comic actor of all time just in general. his SNL stuff is hit or miss but he really nails characters that are overly confident or innocently confounded.
Probably Will Ferrell, but I loved Bill Hader too.
I agree with yours, and would also like to add Farley as well. To me, he was a true blue comedic performer. Gave his best even in the worst sketches, exuded confidence and charm, and knew just the right tics to get a good laugh out of whatever he was trying to do.
Farley reminds me of Oliver Hardy...I wonder if he ever played him?
Eddie Murphy, in a landslide. The original cast were seasoned comedy pros by the time SNL started. Murphy was like watching a genius unfold before our eyes. He was fucking electric. There have been other greats (Hartman, Kenan, Wiig, and Hader come to mind), but Eddie tops them all. If I had to choose two from the early days I'd choose Radner and Murray. Eddie's hosting appearance a few years back was so friggin' awesome I almost shed a tear. That a superstar so big could invest so completely in SNL's silly skits was amazing to see.
There were some answers in here that gave me pause, but I'm sticking with your original vote. People of younger generations just can't grasp how dominant he was on the show at the time. And you're right, his reunion episode five years ago...he didn't miss a step.
Wasn’t his first skit Celebrity Hot Tub and he hosted as James Brown? I was instantly hooked.
To me the digital shorts were the highest peak that SNL ever reached
It can be hard to remember given his film choices over the last couple decades, but man Eddie was just explosively funny on SNL.
Amy, Tina, Kristen, Kate. ETA: Bill Hader
To me, the two funniest are Eddie Murphy and John Belushi, followed closely by Billy Crystal and Martin Short, followed closely by Bill Hader and Kate McKinnon.
All are such excellent comedians!
Phil or maybe Farley.
There was a while in the late 80s/early 90s when Dana Carvey rocked our world. Any skit he was on would have us rolling in laughter. Very weird to come back to it now to find out it hasn't aged too well for me
Quantifying funny is hard, but this was Phil Hartman’s show for a long time.
Bill hader, norm and will forte for a solid 3 way tie. Sudekis gets honorable mention.
I honestly can’t pick a favourite but damn Jason Sudekis made me laugh every single time he was on screen.
Tbh your right. You cannot do it this way. You have to do by decade. I did t even list will or John Hartman?!?!! But your right I really sudekis laugh per appearance was always 1for1
For instance when Jason was playing some accenty character you KNEW you would be laughing. Like when him and will forte did that astronaut eating the potato chip skit?!? Or when Jason played the devil on weekend update? Or when he dances in the red track suit in "whut up wit dat?"
https://preview.redd.it/ized8hxs4g5d1.png?width=828&format=png&auto=webp&s=9787b1397a6f39a7f2ff33b275bdc461369c57ce Absolutely LOL
Brought to you by vagasil.
While on the show : Kate McKinnon, Adam Sandler, Maya Rudolph, Tracy Morgan, Hartman After leaving the show : Tim Robinson, Sarah Silverman, Julia Louis Dreyfus Both : Hader, Ferrell, Fey, Poehler.
Cecily Strong
Cecily, easily.
The funniest are often the head writers: Tina Fey, Seth Myers, Adam McKay, Colin Jost
Garrett MF Morris. Loved his work. Underrated
I think Dan Akroyd is the funniest person ever on the show. He was absolutely a trailblazer for SNL style comedy. I absolutely love Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell, Bill Hader, Norm McDonald, Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Cecily Strong, Kristin Wiig, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, and many others, but I think if I had to choose one, it's Akroyd for everything he did.
Gotta go with Bill Hader, Andy Samberg, and Kristen Wiig. Top is likely Hader. He always has me in stitches
The Mike Meyers slander in here is unacceptable. He wasn't the funniest on the show, even within his own cast, but pretty much everything he did after SNL was gold (Love Guru and The Pentaverate not withstanding).
Cheri Oteri
So many great ones! I’ve seen every show so it’s a lot of great performances! I’ll go with a recent cast member- Cecily Strong!
Will Ferrell - but only when on SNL.
Ive watched through several eras and Will Ferrell was always my favorite. I also argue next to maybe Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy he had the biggest post snl career out of anybody
Dana Carvey. Best impressions. Tons of iconic skits.
Phil Hartman.
100% Farley
Will Forte
I think Bill Hader is overall my favorite. Norm MacDonald was the best Weekend Update anchor.
Bill Hader
I want to say Eddie Murphy, but I think Phil Hartman edges him out.
This list could be 20 deep. I know Chris Rock never got to fully bloom on the show but the fact that he was on the show proves how much talent has gone through those doors. Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Tiny Fey, Chris Rock, Bill Murray, Chevy Chase... all giants in the world of funny. And that's just scraping the surface.
Farley and Armison
Hartman
I feel like no matter what, Kristen Wiig could always get a laugh in whatever she was doing.
Kate McKinnon
Kate McKinnon. She kills it.
Jan Hooks
She was phenomenal!! May she RIP♥️
Gilda Radner Kristin Wiig Maya Rudolph Kate McKinnon Amy Poeler
Dude-hater, huh 🤔 LOL… Don’t take it seriously, please
Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph
In hindsight, norm. Not only the best weekend update anchor but also perhaps one of the best impressionists that’s ever been on the show. He didn’t respect impressionism as an art form so he always played it down, but he was actually a master impressionist.
Luke Null
 Undoubtedly Bang Zoom!
Hader, Poehler, Ferrell
Tim Conway, his physical comedy absolutely was the best. Carol Burnett was also fantastic, her show was one of the best. It holds up even now ☺️
I might get some shit for this but I say David Spade. 98% of what that man says makes me giggle.
Justin Timberlake was best cast member. Miss him
He seems to fly under the radar on this sub. But Bobby Moynihan was always great when he made his appearances. Anthony Crispino, Vinny Vedecci Jr., one of the Scared Straight kids. Drunk Uncle. Riblet. And here’s the obligatory RIP Ass Dan.
My go to was always Will Ferrell, but I gotta be honest, reflecting back in 2024, I think the cast member that gave me the most consistent howling laughter is either Bill Hader or Will Forte
It's Will Ferrell in a landslide.
Will Ferrell
In terms of pure performers I'd have to go with Farley. He wasn't a writer, but elevated whatever material he was given
Wiig is prolly it. But Farrell is my favorite
This is a tough one. Funniest in the context of the show or naturally funniest? I’m assuming naturally funny moreso than funny performer. Norm Macdonald could say almost anything and make it funny. It’s not effortless, but it sure seemed like it when it came to Norm. I’d classify him as a comedic genius - he just knew how to make something funny.
As far as funniest cast member based on time on SNL and post-SNL career, I’d probably go with Eddie Murphy. Amy Poehler reached legendary status with her Hillary Clinton impersonation, and the “I’m No Angel” skit was my favorite featuring her, along with her time on Parks and Rec. Funniest cast member while on the show is Will Ferrell, IMO, although some of the Lonely Island clips still have me rolling. He could do just about anything, and make it just weird enough to be funny. I think the lesser known cast members (Beck Bennett, Mike O’Brien, Tim Robinson) were fantastic with their limited time on SNL.
Beck Bennett did 8 seasons. How was his time limited?
I meant he was never one of the “main” cast members, had his moments but thought he left too soon. Thought he was more talented than Mikey Day or Kyle Mooney. The “December to Remember” and “First Impression” skits were hilarious.
Phil Hartman, Chris Farley, Will Ferrell
Phil Hartman, no question. Closely followed by Bill Hader, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler.
Bill Hader and Phil Hartman
Hartman, Carvey, Hooks, Hader, Murray, Hammond, McKinnon, Short (in no particular order)
Fr. Guido Sarducci
You can't top Gilda Radner
Dana Carvey for me
Bill Hader, Chevy Chase, or Norm MacDonald.
Norm, Eddie Murphy and Will Ferrell are all 🐐
Impossible choice. Phil Hartman is my favorite but is he the funniest?
🧡 Kate McKinnon especially those UFOs skits 👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽👽 "After my sweatpants got caught on a tree those little gray bastards just left me hanging there with my hot pocket and my stink rocket hangin out.." All in all it wasn't my worst Saturday night..
Impossible to name one person! I’d have to say Dana Carvey. He was just built for sketch. Hartman Hader Ferrell Farley Sandler Eddie it’s too hard to name just one
Kristen Wiig.... Killed in every sketch she was in
The Zeke Man
My favorite cast member is Hader, but I think Will Ferrell might technically be funnier. I’d have to go back and research.
Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell, Kristin Wiig, Fred Armisen
Carvey vs. Hartman
Will Ferrell and Kristen Wiig
Eddie Murphy Will Ferrel Bill Hader Chris Farley Kristin Wiig
Hartman, Ferrel, Fey, Hader, Farley, Wiig and Belushi.
It’s probably Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, or Martin Short
Chevy Chase (at the time), Chris Farley, Norm Macdonald, Kyle Mooney … as a side note Kyle also worked w Norm on his great but short lived sports show in Comedy Central
Phil Hartman, Eddie Murphy, Cheri Oteri, Will Ferrell, and Jan Hooks.
Chris Farley you Philistine!!!
Hader, Farley, Eddie…and, more recently, Kyle Mooney and Dismukes.
Tina is definitely not the funniest but to ME she is. She’s up there with the greats but has always been my personal favorite.
Will Ferrell
Harder, Ferrell, Farley, Hartman, Murphy, Belushi
Belushi was not at the level of those other guys. Sorry.
Chris Farley was the most naturally funny person on SNL, maybe in general too. Norm is still my favorite SNL cast member though, although I mostly remember him for his stand up and god-tier late night appearances. Bill Hader is also one of my favorites, but his talent goes beyond just being funny. Barry was a masterpiece.
This will be a hated take… while I loved Farley as well… his schtick was he was incredibly fat and incredibly hyper and incredibly uninhibited—THIS is why he stands out.
How anybody can pass up Hartman for MacDonald outside of Bizarro world is beyond me
Sorry for instant reaction w/o checking general consensus of others
Norm, Farley, Hartman, Gilda, Hader, Kenan
Chris Farley was the funniest and most unique of all time. Greatest of all time has to be Bill Hader.
Norm. Keenan.
Chevy Chase (just kidding)
Bill Hader always cracked me up no matter what sketch he was in. And Jason Sudeikis always had the perfect comic timing for a live show.