8 stars you didn't know got their big break on this comedy show
Having started in 1975, you’ll be surprised to learn just how many people have got there big break on the hit show, Saturday Night Live. From Bill Murray to Chevy Chase, all of these successful comedians (and more) got their big break on Saturday Night Live.
1. Chevy Chase
While Chase was a key player of The National Lampoon Radio Hour alongside friend and co-star John Belushi, it was in 1975 he became one of SNL‘s original cast members and hosted the first version of the “Weekend Update” sketch. He left after a year and this was his springboard into many of his famous roles…
2. Bill Murray
It was future co-star, John Belushi, that recruited Bill for The National Lampoon Radio Hour in 1977. Following this he went on to become one of the most successful big-screen comedic actors of his time taking on roles in Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day and Caddyshack.
3. John Belushi
Becoming popular in Chicago comedy troupe, The Second City, Belushi was recruited as an original member of the SNL cast in 1975. A regular on the “Weekend Update” segment, it was on SNL that Belushi and co-star Dan Aykroyd first conceived their characters, The Blues Brothers. Sadly, his career was cut short in 1982 when he died of a drug overdose.
4. Eddie Murphy
While Eddie Murphy was in some comedy prior to SNL, his characters such as Gumby, Mr Robinson and Buckwheat that were developed on SNL made him a true star. Murphy went on to act in Beverly Hills Cop, lend his voice to the character of Donkey in Shrek and has become one of the most popular stand-up comedians of his era.
5. Robert Downey Jr.
After being in the Broadway musical, American Passion in 1983, Downey Jr was cast in SNL in 1985. Although he was only on for year, it was still enough time for him to be labelled the worst SNL cast member ever by Rolling Stone. His career did pick up again following 2007 thriller Zodiac and his role as Marvel’s hero Iron Man has seen him much success.
6. Mike Myers
His sketch ‘Sprockets’ alongside Dana Anderson proved to be one of his most popular roles, in addition to an early incarnation of ‘Wayne’s World’. When Myers left the show in 1995 he went on to write and star in the Austin Powers franchise, as well as providing the voice for the titular character in animated film franchise Shrek.
7. Adam Sandler
SNL hired Sandler as a writer in 1990 where he is best remembered for crafting songs such as ‘The Thanksgiving Song’ and ‘The Chanukah Song’. Fired from the show in 1995, Sandler went on to write and star in a number of very successful comedies including Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore and The Waterboy.
8. Will Ferrell
His impression of then-President George W. Bush on SNL is widely considered one of the best ever seen on the show. Ferrell left the show in 2005 and continued starring in comedy films such as Anchorman, Stepbrothers, Semi-Pro and The Other Guys.