Live From Evansville, It’s Steve’s Top Five SNL Cast Members of All Time

It’s Saturday night, and you tune in to see Saturday Night Live to get your laughs for the week. You probably don’t realize this show has been running for 39 years already, just starting its 40^th season. You probably don’t realize the countless movie stars this show has helped create; Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, Billy Crystal, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell, along with many others. SNL has undoubtedly stayed relevant over the tenure of its existence. It has had both its high and low points, some great comedians, and some that were forgettable at best. I have watched this show which shares my age for as long as I can remember, and like everyone else, I have had my favorites from over the years.  Here is my list of top five SNL cast members of all time.

5. Dana Carvey (Cast 1986-1993) - Church Lady, Garth Algar and Hans (of Hans and Franz) are the characters he portrayed that have stuck the closest with me over the years. His impersonations were second to none. While I never felt like his movie career took off for him as a stand alone comedian, he’ll forever be one of the best SNL cast members you would be able to enjoy.

4. Eddie Murphy (Cast 1980-1984) – Buckwheat, Gumby, and Mr. Robinson are some of my earliest memories of SNL. Maybe I didn’t fully understand all of the humor, but seeing my older brother rolling around laughing, I knew I was witnessing something special. With very expressive facial reactions and an unforgettable laugh, Eddie Murphy’s Buckwheat singing and Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood always brought me laughing to tears.

3. Adam Sandler (Cast 1991-1995) – I'm sure many people who know me are surprised I don't have Adam Sandler as my number one on this list.  If I’m being honest, the majority of Sandler Material I love come from movies and CDs.  Sandler’s go on SNL was musical performance, or that’s what stood out to me. His Opera Man, The Lunch Lady Song, or of course the Hanukah Song were the best of the best of Adam Sandler.

2. Will Ferrell (Cast 1995-2002) – Let me start by telling you my favorite characters of his:  Neil Diamond, Craig Buchanan (Spartan Cheerleader), George W. Bush, Alex Trebek, Marty Culp (Music Teacher) and Steve Butabi. Need I say more?  I will.  His delivery of each and every character he portrays is spot on hilarious. He’s not afraid to be laughed at or poke fun at himself. He puts himself out there, at times so far out, it makes other cast mates break character.

1. Chris Farley (Cast 1990-1995) – Although I don’t remember too many recurring characters Farley played other than one of the Super-Fans (Da-Bears!) or Matt Foley Motivational Speaker, he had some of the most memorable roles like El Nino and the Auditions for Chippendale’s. His physical humor and the willingness to put himself in harm’s way for the laugh warrants great respect from me. Numerous tables, chairs and walls fell victim to Farley’s over-the-top, in-your-face comedy. If you saw him just one time, I bet you remember it, but really who could watch him just once? Chris Farley would have you laughing at everything, even if your prospects were “LIVING IN A VAN DOWN BY THE RIVER!”