The 10 Best 'Saturday Night Live' Hosts of All Time
- Additional research by Jim Miller (@jimmiller)
It takes a special formula to make an awesome Saturday Night Live host. The person in question must be funny, yes, but also incredibly magnetic and likable. The gig is a lot harder than people think, but some stars make it seem like a walk in the park.
Alec Baldwin
Buck Henry has hosted the show an impressive 10 times, and he joined the Five-Timers Club in just four years, his first being 1976. Henry, a two-time Academy Award nominee, left a SNL legacy of several recurring characters, including Howard the stunt coordinator and the very creepy Uncle Roy. He's also known for his celebrity impersonations of Charles Lindbergh, John Dean, and Ron Nessen.
Candice Bergen
For more comedy-legend goodness, check out a full episode hosted by Robin Williams:
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Christopher Walken
John Goodman
With his hosting number at 13, John Goodman is definitely SNL royalty. And rightfully so! He's been a part of several side-splitting sketches, particularly "Cruise" (1993), "Celebrity Jeopardy" (1997), and "Lewinsky-Tripp Phone Chat" (1998). Goodman's biggest strength as host is his willingness to do basically anything for the laugh, and it works every time.
Justin Timberlake
Madeline Khan
Richard Pryor
As the first African American to ever host SNL, Richard Pryor is one of the show's most iconic special guests. And he was certainly memorable. His then-controversial "Word Association" skit in 1975 sparked several racial conversations due to its biting satire. Pryor also appeared in the hilarious "Exorcist II" sketch from 1975, mocking all the jumpy frights that paralyzed America for years.
Robert DeNiro
Steve Martin
Steve Martin is a hosting veteran, with 15 gigs (and 27 guest appearances in general) to his name. He's had a long-standing comedic feud with Baldwin as they run neck-and-neck for the most times hosted. Their rivalry produced several hilarious on-screen tête-à-têtes, including murder gags, stage brawls, and of course that infamous drug test bit. Baldwin holds the record (for now), but it doesn't make Martin's hosting contributions any less valid. His highlights include "King Tut" (1978), "The Festrunk Brothers" (1977), and "Medieval Barber" (1978).
Who are your all-time favorite SNL hosts? Sound off in the comments below.
[Photo Credit: NBC/Getty Images]