Introduction
Saturday Night Live has been a staple of American television for over four decades, bringing laughter and entertainment into our homes every weekend. While the show itself is full of iconic sketches and characters, it’s the guest Best SNL Hosts who truly bring the magic to life. From legendary comedians to A-list actors and musicians, SNL has seen its fair share of unforgettable hosts over the years. But who are the best of the best? In this comprehensive ranking, we’ll be counting down the top 10 SNL hosts of all time – so get ready to relive some classic moments and discover some new favorites!
Zach Galifianakis
Zach Galifianakis is a comedian, actor, and writer who is best known for his role in The Hangover trilogy. He has also starred in many other films, such as Due Date and It’s Kind of a Funny Story. Galifianakis hosted Saturday Night Live on February 12, 2011.
Best SNL Hosts episode featured musical guest Rihanna and was well-received by fans and critics alike. His opening monologue was particularly memorable, as he joked about then-President Barack Obama’s birth certificate and potential presidential run in 2016. He also poked fun at the Academy Awards, which had taken place the previous weekend.
In addition to his stand-up comedy chops, Galifianakis proved to be a talented sketch actor on SNL. He played everything from a nerdy game show contestant to an overbearing father-in-law. One of the highlights of the episode was a digital short featuring Galifianakis as Andy Samberg’s roommate. The two went back and forth in a hilarious exchange that had the audience in stitches.
All in all, it’s safe to say that Zach Galifianakis delivered one of the best SNL episodes in recent memory. His willingness to make fun of himself and others made for some truly laugh-out-loud moments. If you’re looking for a good laugh, be sure to check out this episode of Saturday Night Live!
Tina Fey
Tina Fey is a legendary SNL host, having served as both a cast member and the head writer during her time on the show. She’s also responsible for creating some of the most iconic characters in SNL history, including Sarah Palin. Fey is a master of sketch comedy and has proven time and again that she’s one of the funniest people in the business. Whether she’s playing herself, a fictional character, or impersonating a real-life person, she always brings the laughs.
Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy has hosted Saturday Night Live four times, most recently in February 2017. She first hosted in October 2011, shortly after the release of her breakout film Bridesmaids. McCarthy is a talented comedian with a gift for physical comedy, and she has brought that same energy and hilarity to her SNL hosting gigs.
In addition to her talent for making people laugh, McCarthy is also a gifted dramatic actress. She proved this with her moving performance in the drama film Can You Ever Forgive Me?, for which she earned an Oscar nomination. McCarthy has shown that she can do it all, and she is definitely one of the best SNL hosts of all time.
Adam Sandler
Adam Sandler is one of the most popular SNL hosts of all time. He has hosted the show a total of 7 times, with his most recent hosting stint in 2019. Sandler is also a former cast member of the show, having served as a writer and featured player from 1991 to 1995.
Some of Sandler’s most memorable moments on SNL include his impersonation of Opera Man, his “Thanksgiving Song”, and his appearances in various digital shorts. He has also released several comedy albums through SNL, including They’re All Gonna Laugh At You and What The Hell Happened To Me?
Sandler is currently one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood, commanding 20 million dollars per film. He has starred in such films as Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, Punch-Drunk Love, Anger Management, 50 First Dates, Spanglish, Reign Over Me, Funny People, Grown Ups, Just Go With It, Blended, Pixels, The Do-Over, Sandy Wexler and The Meyerowitz Stories.
John Goodman
John Goodman is one of the all-time great SNL hosts. He has hosted the show a total of 13 times, and his appearances are always memorable. Goodman is known for his comedic timing and his ability to make any sketch funnier. He is also a talented dramatic actor, and he has proved time and again that he can handle any material SNL throws at him. In addition to being a great host, Goodman is also a skilled musician. He has played the piano on several occasions, and his rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” is legendary.
Steve Martin
The Top Best SNL Hosts of All Time: A Comprehensive Ranking
Steve Martin
Steve Martin is a beloved actor, comedian, writer, and producer who has been entertaining audiences for decades. He first rose to fame as a stand-up comedian in the 1970s, and went on to star in hit movies like The Jerk, Roxanne, and Father of the Bride. He has hosted Saturday Night Live a total of 15 times, making him one of the most frequent hosts in the show’s history. Martin is known for his wacky sense of humor and his ability to make even the most awkward situations hilarious. He always brings an undeniable energy to SNL, and his sketches are always memorable. Whether he’s playing a hapless everyman or a pompous know-it-all, Steve Martin always makes us laugh.
Eddie Murphy
Eddie Murphy first appeared on Saturday Night Live in December of 1980, and he quickly became one of the show’s most popular cast members. He was only 19 years old at the time, and he brought a fresh, young energy to the show. Murphy was known for his impressions of famous celebrities like Stevie Wonder and Muhammad Ali, as well as his original characters like Mr. Robinson and Buckwheat. He left SNL in 1984 to pursue a successful career in movies, but he has returned to host the show several times over the years.
Murphy is one of the most successful SNL hosts of all time, both in terms of ratings and critical acclaim. His hosting stints have been some of the most popular episodes in the show’s history, and he has won multiple Emmy Awards for his work on the show. Murphy is a true SNL legend, and he remains one of the funniest performers in Hollywood today.
Bill Murray
Bill Murray is a comedy legend, and his hosting stint on Saturday Night Live is one of the most memorable in the show’s history. Murray brought his unique brand of humor to the sketch comedy show, and his sketches are still considered some of the funniest in SNL history. From his iconic “Nick the Lounge Singer” skit to his hilarious take on Mr. Rogers, Murray proved time and time again that he was one of the SNL hosts of all time.
Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin is one of the most prolific actors of our generation, and he has hosted Saturday Night Live a record sixteen times. He first stepped onto the SNL stage in 1990, and he has since become a fan-favorite host.
Baldwin always brings his A-game to SNL, whether he’s playing Trump, Jeffrey Dahmer, or Tony Bennett. He has a knack for impressions and is always game to take on any challenge the writers throw at him. Plus, he’s just as funny off-camera as he is on-camera – as evidenced by his hilarious Twitter feuds with Donald Trump.
We can’t wait to see Baldwin back on SNL soon!
Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is one of the most popular and well-loved actors of our time. He’s also had some great hosting stints on Saturday Night Live. In fact, he’s hosted the show a total of eight times, making him one of the most frequent hosts in SNL history.
Some of Tom Hanks’ best sketches include his impersonations of John McCain, David Letterman, and Kevin Spacey. He’s also done some hilarious original characters, like the “Mr. Short-Term Memory” guy who forgets everything after a few seconds.
Whether he’s playing a serious role or goofing around, Tom Hanks always brings his A-game to Saturday Night Live. That’s why he ranks near the top of our list of the best SNL hosts of all time.
Honorable Mentions
These are the honorable mentions, the hosts that didn’t quite make the top 10, but still had a great impact on Saturday Night Live.
Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin has hosted SNL a record 16 times, and his impressions of Donald Trump have been some of the most memorable moments in recent years. His other standout sketches include “Schweddy Balls” and “The Californians”.
Melissa McCarthy
Melissa McCarthy joined the Five-Timers Club after her fifth hosting gig in 2017, and it’s easy to see why she’s so popular. Her physical comedy is always a hit, whether she’s playing Sean Spicer or Kim Jong-un.
Tina Fey
Tina Fey was one of the masterminds behind SNL’s golden era in the early 2000s, thanks to her work as head writer and her iconic impression of Sarah Palin. As a host, she proved she could still bring the laughs with sketches like “The Real Housewives of Disney” and “Back Home Ballers”.
Will Ferrell
Will Ferrell is one of SNL’s all-time greats, thanks to memorable characters like Ron Burgundy and George W. Bush. He also knows how to play it straight when necessary, as evidenced by his spot-on James Lipton impression.
Steve Martin
Steve Martin is one of the original SNL hosts, having first stepped onto the stage in 1976.
Conclusion
Overall, our comprehensive ranking of the top 10 SNL hosts of all time is based on a combination of their individual performances, fan reaction, and an overall assessment by our panelists. It’s clear that great work has been done by these talented comedians over the past decades to make Saturday Night Live one of the most engaging and entertaining shows in television history. From great sketches to hilarious characters, these ten hosts have left a lasting impact on SNL that will be remembered for many years to come.
