Top 10 SNL Cast Members Who Were Fired Too Soon

Top 10 SNL Cast Members Who Were Fired Too Soon

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most talented “SNL” cast members who showed great potential, but never got the chance to fully deliver before they were abruptly fired.

#10: Emil Wakim

After gaining momentum in the comedy circuit, Emil Wakim joined “Saturday Night Live” ahead of its landmark 50th season, becoming the first cast member of Lebanese heritage. For a newcomer, Wakim had a strong year. While he didn’t appear often in sketches, his Weekend Update segments showcased his sharp comedic voice and delivered genuine laughs. Even more, Wakim brought a fresh perspective on the Middle Eastern experience, which “SNL” hadn’t really explored before. That’s why it came as such a gut punch, not just to him, but to many fans when he was fired just before the 51st season. The decision was even harder to understand, considering public figures like Zohran Mamdani, who Wakim could have portrayed brilliantly, were just entering the cultural spotlight.

#9: Chloe Troast

With so many stand-up comedians joining the show in recent years, Chloe Troast’s casting felt like a refreshing change. Her strong background in improv and sketch comedy nearly earned her a spot in Season 48, and she ultimately joined the cast the following year. Troast’s short-lived tenure showed a lot of promise. Her breakout came in the “Little Orphan Cassidy” sketch, where she flexed her incredible singing chops as an unlucky orphan passed over for adoption once again. Granted, some might argue that she relied too heavily on musical performances, since her brightest moments all involved singing. But it was only her first season and her range of skills could have been explored further with time. Unfortunately, we’ll never get to see that happen.

#8: Michael Longfellow

In his three seasons on “SNL,” the show never quite knew what to do with Michael Longfellow in sketches. But where he truly shone was on Weekend Update. Longfellow made several lauded appearances as himself, and also debuted a roster of quirky characters that instantly won over audiences. So when it was rumored that he had screentested as a potential Weekend Update anchor, fans were eager to see it happen. It felt like the natural step for him, given his stand-up background and deadpan delivery. Also, it teased a refreshing change from Colin Jost and Michael Che’s decade-long run. Alas, that never came to fruition, as Longfellow was fired ahead of Season 51 and reportedly revealed he didn’t even screentest for Weekend Update.

#7: Casey Wilson

By the time she joined “SNL” in 2008, Casey Wilson had already spent years honing her writing and performance skills at the Upright Citizens Brigade. She had even co-written the comedy film “Bride Wars.” On the show, Wilson delivered spot-on impressions of celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Katy Perry and Rachael Ray, as well as memorable original characters like Dusty Velvet. However, after less than two years, she was let go. Having been hired as Maya Rudolph’s replacement, Wilson had all the tools to reach similar heights, but never got the chance to show them. Afterwards, she proved just how much potential was left untapped. She went on to star in the beloved ABC sitcom “Happy Endings,” which earned her nominations at the Critics’ Choice Television Awards.

#6: Rob Riggle

Many don’t even know that Rob Riggle was once a “Saturday Night Live” cast member. Riggle joined during the show’s 30th season, as the only new addition. Surrounded by heavyweights like Amy Poehler, Fred Armisen and Tina Fey, it was challenging for him to stand out. Nevertheless, he managed to deliver noteworthy impressions of figures like Larry the Cable Guy and Howard Dean. Riggle also debuted Leviticus, an original character with the potential to become a Weekend Update regular and even inspire sketches of his own had he stayed longer. However, he was let go after just one season. Post-“SNL,” Riggle found success in films like “The Hangover” and on “The Daily Show,” proving that his comedic potential was indeed real.

#5: Gilbert Gottfried

This squinty-eyed New York comedian joined “SNL” at perhaps the worst time ever – in 1980, just after Lorne Michaels quit and the show’s ratings plummeted. As a result, Gottfried lasted only 12 episodes before he was fired along with most of the cast. In hindsight, the decision came far too soon. Gottfried could easily have been retained alongside Eddie Murphy and Joe Piscopo, as both his audition and brief tenure showed he had great promise. With time, he would have brought his trademark shrill voice and squint to the stage, setting himself apart from the ensemble and also elevating the show. Regardless, the setback hardly slowed him down. Gottfried went on to become a beloved stand-up comic and a fixture on late-night television.

#4: Damon Wayans

Each week, the cast of “SNL” performs brand new sketches, hoping to surprise and entertain the audience. But one person they must never surprise is Lorne Michaels. That unspoken rule was broken in Season 11, when Damon Wayans went off-script during the “Mr. Monopoly” sketch. Cast as a cop, Wayans had portrayed the character as envisioned during rehearsals, but on air, he suddenly decided to play him as an effeminate gay stereotype. This infuriated Michaels, who reportedly fired Wayans immediately after the sketch ended. While his rebellion was seen as insubordination, it was born out of the frustration that his own material was being ignored. Those overlooked ideas later found a home on “In Living Color,” which was created by his brother, Keenen Ivory Wayans.

#3: Jay Pharoah & Taran Killam

We just couldn’t separate these two as they both joined and were fired from the cast at the exact same time. While six seasons is more than enough to leave a lasting impression, these comedians still had plenty to offer when they were suddenly let go. Killam, for instance, not only created some incredible original characters, but also excelled at impressions and offbeat, physical comedy. By all accounts, he was one of the show’s most reliable performers. Meanwhile, Pharoah was the undisputed master of impressions, with spot-on takes of Jay-Z, Barack Obama, and Denzel Washington. Still, he was also growing into larger, original characters. Their premature departures halted trajectories that could have placed both Pharoah and Killam among the ranks of “SNL’s” most iconic stars.

#2: Michaela Watkins

When Michaela Watkins joined “SNL” in 2008, she believed it would be her big break. And judging by what she delivered on the show, it should’ve been. Watkins brought a unique comedic voice to the stage, whether impersonating Ariana Huffington and Hoda Kotb, or creating original characters like Angie Tempura, the snarky teenage movie critic. In just one season, Watkins showed that her years of experience in theater and improv had prepared her perfectly for the spotlight. With more time, she could have become one of the show’s greats. Instead, she was fired in 2009, with Lorne Michaels claiming she was too good for the show. Even so, “SNL” served as a launchpad for Watkins, as she has since starred in several comedy series.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Aristotle Athari

We Certainly Needed More Angelo on Our Screens

John Milhiser

Could Have Gone Far if the Writers Had Properly Mined His Manic Energy

Noël Wells

Despite Some Solid Sketches & Impressions, Wells Only Lasted One Season

Sarah Silverman

“SNL” Could’ve Benefited From the Irreverent Comedy Silverman Is Now Known For

#1: Tim Robinson

In 2012, Tim Robinson joined “Saturday Night Live” as a performer alongside Aidy Bryant and Cecily Strong, all of whom came from Chicago’s improv scene. Robinson’s surreal style of comedy made his sketches stand out, but it didn’t always align with the show’s overall tone. As a result, he was fired after just one season as a performer and moved to the writers’ room. While his brand of cringe humor was an acquired taste, it could have broadened the show’s comedic range had Robinson stayed on longer. In the writers’ room, he met Zach Kanin, with whom he later co-created “Detroiters” and the Emmy-winning Netflix series “I Think You Should Leave.” These shows established Robinson as one of the most original comedic voices of his generation.

Which “SNL” cast members do you think stayed on way longer than they should have? Let us know in the comments below.