Saturday Night time Reside has served as a profession launching pad for a lot of comedians, and although some have had unimaginable longevity on this system (Kenan Thompson simply completed his twenty first season), others have solely made it a number of weeks. However because it seems, your tenure on the present would not essentially imply something to your future success.
It could be exhausting to imagine, however superstars corresponding to Martin Quick, Chevy Chase and Billy Crystal solely lasted one season on the present; Damon Wayans, Tim Robinson and Christopher Elliott have been all decidedly not a match for the weekly sketch program’s model of comedy. And nonetheless others, corresponding to Chloe Troast, Michaela Watkins and Emil Wakim (who was one of many forged members axed on this yr’s shake-up) weren’t invited to return after their debut yr.
Beneath, see which former Saturday Night time Reside stars solely did a one-season stint on the long-running NBC present — and discover out the place they’re now.
Emil Wakim, Season 50
Emil Wakim joined SNL for its historic fiftieth season however was amongst these axed from the present forward of the brand new season.
“i received’t be returning to snl subsequent yr,” the comic wrote in a press release on Instagram. “it was a intestine punch of a name to get however i am so grateful for my time there.”
“each time i scanned into the constructing i’d suppose how insane it’s to get to work there,” he continued. “it was essentially the most terrifying, thrilling, and rewarding expertise of my life and i’ll miss it dearly and all of the sensible folks that work there that made it really feel like a house.”
Wakim usually featured in SNL‘s iconic “Weekend Replace” phase, anchored by Michael Che and Colin Jost, taking part in varied characters.
Chloe Troast, Season 49
Chloe Troast joined the SNL forged for season 49 and immediately grew to become a fan favourite, showing in sketches corresponding to “Get That Boy Again” with Chris Appleton, “Little Orphan Cassidy” with Timothée Chalamet and “Christmas Classics” with Kate McKinnon.
Nonetheless, after NBC introduced the brand new additions for season 50, Troast revealed she had not been requested to come back again.
“Sadly, I’ve not been requested to come back again to SNL this season,” she wrote in a heartfelt Instagram publish. “I want I used to be going again to be with all of the superb mates I made there, it actually felt like residence. It simply wasn’t within the playing cards.”
Troast would seem within the comedy Sweethearts in addition to 4 Seasons following her departure.
Chevy Chase, Season 1
Chevy Chase joined Saturday Night time Reside in its premiere season again in 1975, and although his tenure was quick, his affect was main: The comic originated the function of the “Weekend Replace” anchor which might go to the likes of Tina Fey, Jimmy Fallon, Amy Poehler, Seth Meyers, Michael Che and Colin Jost within the many years that adopted.
Although Chase left the present in the course of season 2, he got here again to host eight occasions between 1978 and 1999. And his fast departure solely allowed his profession to take off: He starred in megahits such because the Nationwide Lampoon’s Trip films, Caddyshack and extra.
Now 81, the actor’s final credit score was in 2024’s The Christmas Letter.
Jenny Slate, Season 35
You might immediately acknowledge Jenny Slate’s work within the type of the “Do not Be Suspicious” TikTok sound, however her SNL debut went equally as viral: Within the 2009-2010 season, Slate unintentionally cursed throughout her first episode.
“It felt like an explosion after I unintentionally mentioned ‘f—‘ on stay TV throughout my very first sketch,” she instructed Glamour. “After it occurred, Lorne Michaels [creator of SNL] needed to verify I used to be okay as a result of he knew I used to be scared; I had by no means been uncovered so publicly. The aftermath was exhausting; individuals tweeted that I used to be ‘ugly’ and ‘not humorous,’ and it actually stung.”
Since leaving SNL, she has appeared in Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn 9-9 and the Kroll Present, in addition to extra dramatic fare just like the movie Apparent Baby. She’s additionally been Oscar-nominated for her animated movie Marcel the Shell with Sneakers On. She lately appeared in Dying for Intercourse and continues her voice-acting work on Bob’s Burgers and The Nice North, amongst different tasks.
Martin Quick, Season 10
After getting his begin on Canada’s SCTV, Martin Quick was recruited for Saturday Night time Reside‘s tenth season and made a big impact.
The beloved comic was on the present from 1984 to 1985 and created memorable characters corresponding to Ed Grimley.
Although his season is taken into account some of the stacked, talent-wise, within the present’s historical past — Julia Louis Dreyfus, Billy Crystal and Christopher Visitor have been additionally on throughout his stint — Quick merely could not sustain with the tight schedule the present runs on, telling HuffPost it felt like “it was closing exams, each week.” (And lots of of these stars went on to go away shortly after he did.)
Quick went on to do Three Amigos, Cross My Coronary heart, Prince Charming and extra. He’s presently starring as Oliver Putnam in Solely Murders within the Constructing.
Billy Crystal, Season 10
You possibly can’t run down Billy Crystal’s epic resume with out mentioning his stint on SNL and but, he too was on the present for season 10 solely.
“I believe after I got here to the present I used to be type of a piñata of concepts and ideas and characters, and all types of issues occurred,” Crystal revealed in Reside From New York: The Full, Uncensored Historical past of Saturday Night time Reside as Instructed by Its Stars, Writers, and Friends, as excerpted in Vainness Truthful.
“On daily basis I used to be excited on the discovery of what we might do. I by no means put a time restrict on how lengthy I’d be there or what it will give me or get me. I didn’t strategy it like that. I simply felt personally as a performer and as a inventive individual I needed to give it my shot.”
It wasn’t a match in the long run, however Crystal ended up having a reasonably large affect on popular culture nonetheless, starring in movies corresponding to When Harry Met Sally and changing into the quintessential Oscars host.
Christopher Visitor, Season 10
In the identical yr as Quick, Christopher Visitor additionally had a yr contract and left after season 10 led to 1985.
Visitor famously appeared in 1984’s This Is Spinal Faucet and served as a author and director on varied tasks together with Household Tree, Mascots, and Greatest in Present, amongst different works.
Visitor has additionally been married to actress Jamie Lee Curtis for 40 years. The couple has two youngsters — Annie, 35, and Ruby, 26.
Robert Downey Jr., Season 11
Lengthy earlier than he received our hearts and saved the world as Tony Stark a.ok.a. Iron Man, a fresh-faced Robert Downey Jr. practiced his comedic chops on Saturday Night time Reside.
The Marvel mainstay was a forged member on the NBC hit from 1985 to 1986 and although different abilities corresponding to Joan Cusack, Nora Dunn, Jon Lovitz, Dennis Miller, Danitra Vance and Damon Wayans have been all a part of the season, Downey referred to as it “arguably the worst season in its historical past” throughout an interview on The Tonight Present Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Downey, who struggled to make his mark on the present as he wasn’t as versed in sketch comedy, griped about having been dubbed the “worst forged member,” jokingly telling Fallon, “Come on! There’s a variety of competitors for that.”
He discovered a extra constructive legacy as a Marvel mainstay, saying his plans to transition from Iron Man into Dr. Doom.
Damon Wayans, Season 11
The Wayans household are world-renowned for his or her comedic chops, however lengthy earlier than Damon Wayans broke by in his brother’s sketch comedy present In Residing Coloration within the ’90s and portrayed beloved dad Michael Kyle in My Spouse and Children, he had a short-lived stint on Saturday Night time Reside.
The actor was forged as a featured participant in season 11, and whereas his expertise was simple, he and the showrunners had inventive variations. Wayans was fired after having gone off script in a sketch titled “Mr. Monopoly,” throughout one of many stay reveals, per Collider.
Nonetheless, Wayans was invited again to carry out a stand-up set in the course of the present’s season finale that yr.
Wayans and his son Damon Jr. helmed their very own CBS sequence titled Poppa’s Home from October 2024 to April 2025, because the present was cancelled after a season.
Joan Cusack, Season 11
Additionally on that fated forged of season 11 was Joan Cusack, who, like Wayans, additionally got here from an performing household.
After her 17-episode stint on Saturday Night time Reside, Cusack would make a reputation for herself, showing in movies corresponding to Runaway Bride, Excessive Constancy, Elevating Helen and extra. Today, many would acknowledge her for taking part in Sheila Jackson in Showtime’s Shameless.
Anthony Michael Corridor, Season 11
With Nationwide Lampoon’s Trip, The Breakfast Membership and Sixteen Candles on his resume, it is no surprise Anthony Michael Corridor was the youngest forged member to hitch SNL within the historical past of the present — a document he nonetheless holds in the present day.
The actor was one of many a number of members who was axed following season 11’s low rankings, although he managed to land on his ft, starring in Edward Scissorhands, Hail Caesar, All Concerning the Benjamins, The Darkish Knight and extra movies and TV reveals within the years that adopted.
Ben Stiller, Season 14
In one of many shortest SNL tenures ever, Ben Stiller give up the present after simply 5 weeks. “At that time, I simply needed to make quick movies and I knew I wasn’t good stay as a result of I’d get nervous,” Stiller defined whereas on The Howard Stern Present, revealing his final purpose was to be a director.
He would accomplish his dream, directing Zoolander in 2001, The Cable Man, Tropic Thunder, Stiller and Meara and The Secret Lifetime of Walter Mitty. Stiller can be the first director of Apple TV+’s hit present, Severance.
Sarah Silverman, Season 19
A younger Sarah Silverman lent her abilities to SNL in season 19 of the present which aired from 1993 to 1994. Nonetheless, Silverman who was additionally on the present as a author, was fired after the only season.
“It was an enormous defeat for me, however overcoming it, it is like a damaged bone, it heals stronger,” Silverman mentioned of the firing.
“I had like a cluster of firings — Saturday Night time Reside, i obtained fired from a sitcom I used to be employed for — after which I obtained an actual advanced about it like I’d be certain I nonetheless had the job earlier than I might go in as a result of I obtained used to getting fired. However in some way I outgrew that after which I ended up conserving jobs.”
Silverman centered on her standup profession, and constructed her resume by showing in movies and TV reveals corresponding to Seinfeld, Frasier, There’s One thing About Mary, Faculty of Rock and extra. In 2014, she received an Emmy for excellent writing for a spread particular for her HBO particular, Sarah Silverman: We Are Miracles.
Her newest stand-up particular, 2023’s Sarah Silverman: Somebody You Love is obtainable on Max.
Christopher Elliot, Season 20
Now recognizable for his function as Roland Schitt from Schitt’s Creek, Christopher Elliott was sharpening his surreal humor for many years earlier than he landed the function as mayor within the hit present.
Elliott first auditioned for season 11 of Saturday Night time Reside, then in the end turned it down as he was nonetheless working with David Letterman on the Late Present. He then auditioned once more for season 20 and garnered a spot as one of many forged members.
Nonetheless, the actor has admitted that becoming a member of SNL wasn’t one of the best resolution. “I had already left working for Dave. At that time, [SNL] was at a really low level they usually simply supplied me the job. I used to be in L.A. and I used to be determined to get again to New York so I took it,” he instructed The Each day Beast.
“However yeah, it was the completely flawed factor for me to do. All people was very candy, Lorne has all the time been very supportive of me and I met very nice individuals who labored there and all that, however that completely flawed for me to go there.”
Many years later, Elliott’s daughter Abby would be part of the present, changing into an everyday from 2008 to 2012.
Rob Riggle, Season 30
Rob Riggle joined the forged of Saturday Night time Reside as a featured participant from 2004 to 2005.
“The primary job I ever obtained in present enterprise [was] Saturday Night time Reside,” Riggle instructed The A.V. Membership. “I had performed a few appearances on Conan however simply as like, ‘Man within the Viewers,’ or ‘Safety Guard,’ or ‘Tarzan Who Speaks to Animals.’ Simply little bit- characters. I used to be very grateful for these however my first job ever was Saturday Night time Reside and I believe that was a dream come true.”
Although he was residing his dream. Riggle could not compete with the present forged for display screen time and did not get a second season.
“The yr I used to be employed, I used to be the one man employed. The forged was huge. Fifteen individuals on the forged and I am the one new man,” he defined whereas on The Each day Beast’s Final Snigger podcast. “Properly, you understand Darrell Hammond’s getting his, Tina Fey, Amy [Poehler] is getting hers, Maya Rudolph is getting hers, Will Forte, go down the listing, they’re all getting their time. I am getting in there and I am consuming out of a firehose.”
Nonetheless, he obtained extra TV work on The Each day Present, The Workplace, Arrested Growth and Love, Inc. earlier than displaying off his abilities in movies corresponding to Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Unaccompanied Minors, 21 Bounce Road and extra.
He appeared in Dangerous Man and Code 3 earlier this yr.
David Koechner, Season 21
Together with his larger-than-life persona, one would suppose David Koechner could be the proper individual for a long-running stint at SNL. Like Wayans, nonetheless, it appears the actor and a few of the individuals behind the present had inventive variations.
“There are some individuals who had made solutions or individuals who I felt have been out of place and I do not thoughts letting individuals know my opinions. [SNL] just isn’t essentially a spot the place individuals’s opinions are welcome,” he instructed Tom Inexperienced, who was guest-hosting Larry King Now.
Koechner was let go after he did season 21, which aired from 1995 to 1996.
He went on to seem in The Workplace, Low cost Thrills and maybe most notably, the Anchorman movies. Just lately, he lent his abilities to an episode of A Week Away.
Michaela Watkins, Season 34
Although some former forged members walked away of their very own volition, Michaela Watkins’ firing from SNL got here fairly as a shock to many.
Watkins was on the NBC present from 2008 to 2009 however wasn’t requested to come back again for the next season.
“I don’t suppose anybody is aware of what Lorne Michaels was pondering. That’s one of many thrilling issues about him. If he have been to fade, the present would simply freeze. Not a single factor could be shot as a result of a lot hinges on him,” she instructed Leisure Weekly on the time.
“The one clarification I obtained from him — and he’s not identified to say issues simply to make individuals really feel higher — was that he felt deep down that I ought to have my very own present. And I agreed. SNL was a dream come true for me. It was a improbable yr. I don’t have any regrets.”
She’s obtained a busy performing profession, and has been seen in Abbott Elementary, Search Social gathering and Enlightened.
Peter Aykroyd, Season 5
Although his brother Dan did a powerful 4 seasons on Saturday Night time Reside, Peter Aykroyd solely did one, however that appears to have been greater than sufficient.
Peter joined the forged as a author and featured member in season 5, which ran from 1979 to 1980. Although he left after the singular season, in his quick time at 30 Rock, the actor snagged an Emmy nod for excellent writing in a spread or music program.
Peter labored together with his brother on a number of tasks, together with the movies Coneheads and Dragnet. The 2 additionally co-wrote the 1991 comedy-horror movie Nothing however Hassle.
Peter sadly died of sepsis from an untreated hernia in Nov. 2021. He was 66.
Laurie Metcalf, Season 6
Maybe nobody had a shorter tenure than Laurie Metcalf.
The Girl Chicken actress did one episode of the present again in 1981, wherein she performed a “Weekend Replace” reporter despatched on the road to ask New Yorkers whether or not or not they’d take a bullet for the president,” per Vulture. She additionally appeared in a pre-tapped sketch titled “Laurie Has a Story” alongside Catherine O’Hara.
“, it looks as if a dream as a result of it was so way back and it was a whirlwind 5 days I spent in New York. I believe it was my first to New York ever,” Metcalf instructed Vulture of her expertise.
“I used to be so out of my factor; I had not concept what I used to be doing. However I do know that I did it as a result of there may be proof, there may be footage,” she joked. “After I see that, I understand I used to be very naïve and courageous about it in a manner. Like, ‘Okay, you need me to do that? Okay, let’s go.'”
Shortly after, the WGA went on strike and the present went on hiatus. Metcalf was not requested to come back again as soon as taping resumed. The actress would get her massive break taking part in Jackie Harris in Roseanne, a task she reprised many years later within the present’s 2018 reboot The Conners.
Tim Robinson, Season 38
On the top of his SNL tenure, Tim Robinson went viral because the man who made Kevin Hart lose his cool within the “Barnes and Noble Firing” sketch from season 38.
Nonetheless, his expertise was so simple that although he wasn’t requested again as a forged member, Lorne Michaels tapped his abilities as a author and he continued to work on the present for 3 extra years, till his contract ended.
Robinson went on to star in Brother Nature, Detroiters and An American Pickle earlier than creating his personal sketch comedy sequence, I Suppose You Ought to Go away with Tim Robinson, for which he is received three Emmys.
Janeane Garafalo, Season 20
Janeane Garafalo give up SNL six months after becoming a member of season 20.
“I used to be solely there very briefly, however there actually have been some nice hosts, after all,” she instructed Broadway World again in 2012. “I do not know if the comedy being performed that yr was that nice, but it surely was a thrill to be there for the temporary period of time I used to be there.”
She went on to make appearances in The Ben Stiller Present, The Cable Man, Seinfeld, Residence Enchancment and plenty of extra TV reveals and films. She voiced the character of Dr. Dolphin in 2024’s Boys Go to Jupiter.
