From SNL to the Movies

Saturday Night Live has been launching the careers of standout comedians since the sketch comedy show premiered in 1975. I’m so thankful for its 45 seasons of hilariousness—not only because I still tune in each weekend it airs to hear its brilliant writers’ take on current events—but also because the show’s cast members have made dozens and dozens of great comedies (and a few standout dramas) over the years, and who doesn’t need a laugh these days?

The latest film from an SNL cast member just hit the Box and Redbox on Demand, as it were. The King of Staten Island stars Pete Davidson, and it’s a semi-autobiographical story about a 20-something who has never been able to get his life together after his firefighter father died when he was young (Pete’s dad was also a firefighter who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks when Pete was 7). Though Davidson is best known as a self-deprecating comic on SNL, he earned critical raves for his nuanced performance in this comedy-drama.

If you’re looking something a little lighter from one of your other SNL faves, here are standout movies from some (but not all… or you’d be scrolling down this list for an hour) of the biggest stars from the cast:

Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph: Bridesmaids

Bill Murray: Groundhog Day, Caddyshack, Lost in Translation and so many more

John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd: The Blues Brothers

Billy Crystal: When Harry Met Sally, The Princess Bride

Will Ferrell: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and many, many more

Leslie Jones: Top Five, Trainwreck, Ghostbusters (which also stars SNL’s Kate McKinnon and Kristen Wiig)

Tina Fey: Mean Girls, Baby Mama (with Amy Poehler)

Eddie Murphy: Coming to America, 48 Hrs, Beverly Hills Cop, Dreamgirls

Kate McKinnon: Bombshell

Chris Rock: Top Five, Good Hair, Madagascar

Andy Samburg: Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping

Adam Sandler: Uncut Gems, The Wedding Singer and many more