SNL's 50th Anniversary Special: Every Returning Cast Member & Celebrity Guest Confirmed

Since the fall of 2024,Saturday Night Live has been celebrated for being on air for fifty years. Created by Lorne Michaels, the late-night live sketch comedy show originated in 1975 and has had numerous cast members, special guest stars, popular hosts, and musical performers, delivering a blend of pop culture and political satire. Memorable SNL sketches include "More Cowbell" and "Blues Brothers."

Saturday Night Live has been celebrated in special documentaries, including SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night, depicting the show's history, and Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music, a feature exploring musical performances. The celebration will continue this weekend with a special airing of the very first episode of SNL this Saturday, leading to SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday. Here's a sneak peek of who will be part of Sunday's celebration.

Returning SNL Cast Members

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Saturday Night Live has had memorable cast members, including John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, and Amy Poehler. Nearly everyone who's been part of the show has started their career on SNL and become actors and writers on TV and film projects. Here are the SNL veterans returning to celebrate the show's remarkable run on Sunday.

Adam Sandler

Before starring in successful comedic films like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore, Adam Sandler was a writer and cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1990 to 1995. Two of his funniest SNL characters include Opera Man and Cajun Man, along with performing "The Chanukah Song" and "Happy Thanksgiving."

Amy Poehler

A part of the five-timers club, Amy Poehler was a cast member from 2001 to 2008. She's well-known for her impressions, which include Hillary Clinton, Rosie O'Donnell, Dolly Parton, and Britney Spears. Amy was also a co-anchor of SNL's Weekend Update segment (now hosted by Colin Jost and Michael Che) alongside Tina Fey and Seth Meyers.

Andy Samberg

Before playing the lead in the hit police sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Andy Samberg was an SNL cast member from 2005 to 2012. He is best known for popularizing the SNL Digital Shorts, including the first, "Lazy Sunday."

Chevy Chase

As one of the first cast members of SNL, Chevy Chase did impressions of Gerald Ford, Leonard Nimoy, and Ronald Reagan, to name a few. He was also the first anchor of "Weekend Update." Despite only being on the show for the first season in 1975, he'd go on to star in comedies, including the National Lampoon's Vacation films.

Chris Rock

After working as a stand-up comic and starring in minor film roles, Chris Rock was an SNL cast member from 1990 to 1993. He was largely influenced by Eddie Murphy, who he impersonated, and starred alongside his friends Adam Sandler and Chris Farley.

Eddie Murphy

Before starring in films like Beverly Hills Cop and 48 Hrs., Eddie Murphy rose to stardom on SNL. He was a cast member from 1980 to 1984. He's done several impressions, including Michael Jackson and James Brown, and is well-known for "Mister Robinson's Neighborhood."

Fred Armisen

Armisen was a cast member for eleven years on SNL, from 2002 to 2013. He was the third longest-running tenured cast member at the time, behind Seth Meyers and Darrell Hammond. He appeared in 856 sketches, the second most of anyone. His notable impressions include Barack Obama and Howie Mandel.

Garrett Morris

A comedian who was part of the original cast of SNL from 1975 to 1980. One of Morris' best-known characters was the Dominican baseball player Chico Escuela. Morris also impersonated James Brown, Alex Haley, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Richard Pryor, to name a few.

Jane Curtin

Curtin was a member of the original SNL cast from 1975 to 1980. She would play characters who were frustrated by the wacky antics of her castmates like John Belushi and Gilda Radnor. She was also co-anchor of the "Weekend Update" segment.

Jason Sudeikis

Before his star-making turn as the title character of the hit show Ted Lasso, Sudeikis was an SNL cast member from 2005 to 2013. He's well-known for his impressions of Joe Biden, George W. Bush, and Lance Armstrong.

Jimmy Fallon

Fallon was a part of the SNL cast from 1998 to 2004. He was the co-anchor of "Weekend Update" alongside Tina Fey and did impressions of Adam Sandler, Barry Gibb, and Jerry Seinfeld. He also did holiday songs reminiscent of Sandler's. He would go on to host Late Night and The Tonight Show.

Kate McKinnon

From 2012 to 2022, Kate McKinnon was a part of the SNL cast. She's best known for her characters like Colleen Rafferty, Miss Finley, and Olya Povlatsky. She also did several impressions, including Justin Bieber, Lindsey Graham, Hillary Clinton, and Kellyanne Conway.

Kenan Thompson

As the longest-running cast member in SNL history, Kenan Thompson has been part of the show since 2003. He's done numerous impressions, including Al Sharpton, Charles Barkley, Steve Harvey, Tyler Perry, and David Ortiz, and is well-known for skits like "What's Up With That."

Kristen Wiig

Another member of the five-timers club, Kristen Wiig was an SNL cast member from 2005 to 2012. Her most popular impressions include Jamie Lee Curtis and Kathie Lee Gifford. Her greatest characters include Target Lady, Aunt Linda, and a member of "The Californians."

Laraine Newman

A member of the original SNL cast from 1975 to 1980, Laraine Newman played memorable characters like Christy Christina, Sister Serena, and one of the Coneheads. She also impersonated Katharine Hepburn, Olivia Newton-John, and Margaret Trudeau, to name a few.

Martin Short

The Only Murders In The Building star was an SNL cast member in season 10 from 1984 to 1985, and has hosted five times. His notable impressions include Jerry Lewis, Larry David, and Mick Jagger.

Maya Rudolph

An SNL cast member from 2000 to 2007, Maya Rudolph recently returned to SNL as Vice President Kamala Harris. She's also known for her impressions of Jennifer Lopez, Whitney Houston, Donatella Versace, and Michelle Obama.

Molly Shannon

From 1995 to 2001, Molly Shannon was an SNL cast member who portrayed several memorable characters, including Katherine Gallagher, Sally O'Malley, Jeannie Darcy, and Circe Nightshade. She also impersonated many celebrities, including Angelina Jolie, Anna Nicole Smith, and Madonna.

Pete Davidson

From 2014 to 2022, Pete Davidson was a part of the SNL cast and was known to play himself during several "Weekend Update" segments. His memorable impressions include Machine Gun Kelly, Adam Sandler, Eminem, Joe Biden, and Post Malone, as well as characters like Chad and Jared Schleff.

Seth Meyers

Before his tenure on Late Night, Seth Meyers was an SNL cast member from 2001 to 2014. He was the anchor of "Weekend Update" alongside Amy Poehler and Cecily Strong, and is known for impressions of Anderson Cooper, Brian Williams, and Ryan Seacrest.

Tina Fey

From 2000 to 2006, Tina Fey was a cast member of SNL who co-anchored "Weekend Update" alongside Jimmy Fallon and Amy Poehler. She's also known for her impressions of Sarah Palin, Paris Hilton, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Brittney Murphy.

Tracy Morgan

As an SNL cast member from 1996 to 2003, Tracy Morgan was recognized for portraying characters like Brian Fellow, Astronaut Jones, and Benny the Bengal. His notable impressions include Aretha Franklin, Busta Rhymes, Maya Angelou, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Will Ferrell

From 1995 to 2002, Will Ferrell was an SNL cast member who took part in several memorable sketches, including "More Cowbell" and "Celebrity Jeopardy." His notable impressions include Alex Trebek, Neil Diamond, Larry King, and George W. Bush.

Will Forte

As an SNL cast member from 2002 to 2010, Will Forte is best known for his characters like MacGruber, The Falconer, Tim Calhoun, and Greg Stink. His best impressions include Jack White, Carson Daly, Bruce Springsteen, Mitch McConnell, and Lorne Michaels.

Celebrity Special Guests

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Celebrity guests on Saturday Night Live have hosted and/or made special appearances to promote their film or TV projects. Many of them have become beloved stars. Some are included in the five-timers club, including Tom Hanks, Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Drew Barrymore, to name a few big names who've hosted five or more times. These are the special celebrity guests set to appear in the fiftieth anniversary special.

Adam Driver

Known for portraying Kylo Ren in his Star Wars sequel trilogy, and starring in films like Silence and Logan Lucky, Adam Driver has hosted SNL four times, in 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2023. He played Kylo Ren and impersonated Cris Collinsworth on the show.

Ayo Edebiri

Known for her breakout role in The Bear, Ayo Edebiri hosted SNL once in February 2024 with musical guest Jennifer Lopez. She proved a game host and there's little doubt she'll host it once again before her career is finished.

Bad Bunny

Singer Bad Bunny made a cameo on SNL in 2020, performed as musical guest in 2021, and did double-duty as host and musical guest in 2023. He has also been impersonated by Marcello Hernandez.

Dave Chappelle

Stand-up comedian and actor Dave Chappelle hosted SNL four times, in 2016, 2020, 2022, and 2025. His notable characters include Chuck Taylor and Tyrone Biggums, as well as impersonating Lil Jon and Rick James.

John Mulaney

Before hosting SNL six times and making several cameos, John Mulaney was an SNL writer from 2008 to 2013. He is known for portraying the lawyer/conceptual artist Shy and helped create Bill Hader's "Weekend Update" character Stefon.

Kim Kardashian

Media personality Kim Kardashian hosted SNL in October 2021 and has been impersonated fourteen times. She also notably kissed eventual ex-boyfriend Pete Davidson during her episode as host during an Aladdin skit.

Miley Cyrus

The Hannah Montana actress and singer hosted SNL in 2011 and did double duty as host and musical guest in 2013 and 2015. She's also been the musical guest five other times. Notable impressions include Justin Bieber and Lindsay Lohan.

Paul McCartney

The Beatles icon has been the musical guest on SNL four times, in 1980, 1993, 2010, and 2012. He also made a cameo in 2006, and appeared in "Weekend Update" and Digital Short segments. He's also been impersonated by Bill Murray and Dana Carvey.

Paul Simon

The Simon & Garfunkel singer-songwriter has hosted SNL four times and performed as a musical guest thirteen times. Paul Simon also memorably performed in a turkey costume during an opening monologue in 1976.

Pedro Pascal

The Game of Thrones actor hosted SNL in February 2023 and made a cameo in October of the same year. Pascal hosted with musical guests Coldplay and Bad Bunny, and played Claudia Flores in the "Protective Mom" sketches.

Peyton Manning

The NFL quarterback hosted SNL in March 2007, memorably starring in a digital short where he coached and bullied little kids learning to play football. Peyton was also impersonated by Seth Meyers in 2005.

Quinta Brunson

The Abbott Elementary star hosted SNL in April 2023 with musical guest Lil Yachty. One of Brunson's funniest skits was "Traffic Altercation."

Robert De Niro

Acting icon Robert De Niro hosted SNL three times, made ten cameos, and was impersonated six times. He also made guest appearances as Robert Mueller from 2018 to 2019.

Sabrina Carpenter

The "Espresso" singer was the musical guest on SNL in May 2024, the season 49 finale episode hosted by Jake Gyllenhaal. Carpenter performed "Espresso" and a medley of "Feather" and "Nonsense." She also portrayed Daphne in a "Scooby-Doo" sketch.

Scarlett Johansson

The Lost in Translation and Black Widow actress hosted SNL six times and made eight cameos. She has impersonated Ivanka Trump and Katie Britt, and is married to current "Weekend Update" anchor Colin Jost.

Steve Martin

The iconic Steve Martin hosted SNL sixteen times, spanning from 1976 to 2022, and has made nearly twenty special guest appearances. Steve's most notable sketches include "Two Wild And Crazy Guys" and "Holiday Wish."

Tom Hanks

Acting legend Tom Hanks has hosted SNL ten times and made eleven cameo appearances. His memorable characters include David S. Pumpkins and Jeff Morrow, and he also had notable impersonations of Chesley Sullenberger and Dean Martin.

Woody Harrelson

The Cheers and White Men Can't Jump actor has hosted Saturday Night Live five times and made three cameos. Two of his most notable impressions are Joe Biden and James Taylor.

Source: USA Today

SNL 50: The Anniversary Special airs Sunday, February 16 at 8 pm, and new episodes of Saturday Night Live air Saturdays at 11:30 pm on NBC.

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