Many former Saturday Night Live stars have used the show to springboard into bigger fame. Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell and Tina Fey were all on the program before they became huge stars. So which SNL star has the best chance to join them?
The Ghostbusters Trio – Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Cecily Strong
Filming is currently underway for the all-female Ghostbusters reboot, which hired three SNL cast members.
The biggest star out of the trio is Kate McKinnon. The two-time Emmy nominee has the ability to turn any sketch, no matter how poorly written or ill-conceived into something watchable. McKinnon brings a wacky comic energy and has been the funniest part of SNL over the last two seasons. Even if you don’t watch SNL, you have likely seen her amazing Justin Bieber impression.
Ghostbusters is McKinnon’s first big movie role, so it’s still unclear how she’ll translate to the big screen. But if her SNL background is any indication, we have nothing to worry about.
Leslie Jones is the other lead in Ghostbusters from the SNL family.
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) July 9, 2015
Previously a writer, she was promoted to featured player last season to mixed results. Her one-note yelling got a tad old as the season progressed, as her versatility was lacking for a show which jumps from topic to topic. The film world actually suits her talents more, as she’s shown she can handle smaller roles with great minor turns in Top Five and Trainwreck. It’s been a long time coming for Jones, who’s almost 50 years old.
The third SNL cast member to be confirmed for the film, not as a Ghostbuster but in a supporting role, is Cecily Strong.
https://twitter.com/AubreyRobinson6/status/614173832249634816
A cast member since 2012, Strong has been (pun intended) a strong performer on the show. She’s versatile, hilarious and has a great presence in her performance. Strong has shown she can handle the big stage outside of the SNL realm, hosting the 2015 White House Correspondents dinner, and if she wanted to, she would have no trouble leaving the show. She’s the total package. She needs a bit more seasoning in terms of movie roles, but that will come with time.
Taran Killam
Killam is arguably the most consistent aspect of current SNL. Whether it’s a spot on impersonation of Matthew McConaughey, or his brilliant recurring appearances as original characters such as Jebediah Atkinson, Killam is always on and always can bring it, no matter how dull the sketch.
Promos with Dakota Johnson are on their way! #SNL pic.twitter.com/Tgm6IuxOqN
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) February 25, 2015
His mainstream appeal isn’t huge, as he’d more likely fit into similar roles as Jason Sudekis — a really funny supporting actor who can occasionally handle the lead on smaller projects. Killam showed his range, albeit in a very small part in the Oscar-winning 12 Years a Slave, so it would be interesting to see if he’d take on more dramatic roles in the future. Either way, he’s got enough charisma and talent to really do whatever he wants.
However, Killam is the glue that holds the show together, so losing him would be tough.
Former SNL one-and-done featured players Noel Wells and Jenny Slate
Both Wells and Slate had “blink and you’ll miss” tenures at SNL, as both only lasted one season on the show.
Wells is perhaps best known for her Zooey Deschanel impression, but aside from that, she wasn’t given all that much to do when she was one of the many new cast members added back in 2014. Wells is set to have a big year, as she’s set to star in Aziz Ansari’s Netflix series Master of None, which premieres in November. She also has a deal with Comedy Central to produce, write and star in her own show. If you don’t know Wells, you’re likely to soon.
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Slate, on the other hand, was a cast member way back in 2009-10, and aside from accidentally saying fuck during a sketch, her SNL stint was not that memorable. But since that time, she’s been killing it.
She broke out last year, starring in the comedy Obvious Child, earning an Independent Spirit Award nomination, and has made regular appearances on Kroll Show, Parks and Recreation and has a supporting role on the FX show Married. She’s already found her footing post-SNL, and could become the next former cast member to have mainstream star appeal outside the show. I wrestled to include her because she’s already had an amazing year — but honestly, it could get even better for her.
It would be unfair to not mention Vanessa Bayer, Bobby Moynihan or Aidy Bryant as well. But if I didn’t mention a current SNL cast member, that doesn’t mean I don’t like them or don’t think they can make a star turn.
Which SNL star do you think will break out next?
