Top 20 Funniest Recurring SNL Characters

Top 20 Recurring SNL Characters

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the funniest and most enjoyable characters that appeared more than once on “Saturday Night Live.”

#20: Lisa from Temecula

Ego Nwodim’s contributions to this comedy show deserve even more love. To many fans, she’ll always be Lisa from Temecula. This character can’t hold back in any situation. Most famously, she likes a well-done steak and doesn’t mind having to cut it. The role also forces guest stars and cast members to deal with a shaking table. Through different dinner parties and weddings, she creates chaos by knocking around the place settings. It’s rare that this recurring sketch went off without at least one chuckle from someone. From Pedro Pascal to Josh Brolin, several brave souls entered this skit only to end up laughing.

#19: Gilly

Kristen Wiig does it yet again, creating a mischievous character named Gilly. She’s always up to something in a classroom setting. These scenes end up becoming darkly funny, with Wiig always ready with a catchphrase. The character feels like the perfect mix between “SNL” and Saturday morning cartoons. She’s made even better when you factor in co-stars like Will Forte, with the latter becoming the best kind of comedy springboard. There’s also a few killer dance moves for the lead performer to try out in a goofy role for the ages. You won’t be saying “sorry” after you watch, with the actress in peak form here.

#18: Dieter

The host of this German talk show is Dieter. Mike Myers plays the presenter, embracing the avant-garde nature of this premise. He’s more than suited to lead the audience down many unexpected paths. When you watch “Sprockets,” you sometimes feel like you’re watching something much different than “SNL.” Myers’ mad vision of alternative comedy and European culture blends into one comedic gift. There’s a monkey, guest appearances, and a few exciting detours to be found along the way. When the “Austin Powers” actor returned to host, he brought back the cult role for even more twisted fun.

#17: Opera Man

Adam Sandler often transformed characters known by one distinct name. Opera Man might be one of the greatest examples, with the performer turning news stories into arias. His hair, accent, and singing abilities elevate what could’ve been a basic premise. On “Weekend Update,” Sandler plays with language in ways you’d never quite expect. It’s all tremendously silly and speaks to the man’s joyful performance style. Few other comedians could think of something so inventive, with even fewer that could pull it off as an actor. “Update” wouldn’t be the same without his dramatic musical numbers.

#16: Miss Rafferty

Not every close encounter with an alien ends the same way. Kate McKinnon’s Miss Rafferty is one example, with her statements trailing off into absurd territory. Her compatriots seem to have had a much more ordinary time with the extra-terrestrials. Rafferty always experiences something much stranger, eccentric, and downright weird. McKinnon’s performance pulls focus and steals every moment of these scenes. The comedian is exceptional at making co-stars like Ryan Gosling laugh. Unafraid to use Gosling as a prop, she runs mad with comedic power. It quickly seemed to be one of the performer’s greatest triumphs.

#15: Debbie Downer

In her very first skit, Debbie Downer became something of a legendary piece of the “SNL” puzzle. Rachel Dratch plays the woman that loves to spoil the party with her random facts. On a trip to Disney, a family endures her wrath and eventually breaks character. It’s a winning formula that creates one of the most famous fails in history. This all went so well that it spawned sequels, later receiving a nod at the “Saturday Night Live 50th Anniversary Special.” The recurring sketches are fun whether or not she’s giggling, with Dratch’s fellow cast members providing awesome reactions.

#14: Mary Katherine Gallagher

Molly Shannon was able to do all kinds of comedy during her tenure on “SNL.” This includes one of her signature works known as Mary Katherine Gallagher. While she might be awkward, the character allows for Shannon to do what she does best. The Catholic school girl can enter a scene and wreak havoc at a moment’s notice. This includes diving into chairs and somehow avoiding serious injury. Throwing herself around, the actress gives a completely dedicated performance every time. The sketch even led to a spinoff movie that delved even further into this role’s superstar qualities.

#13: The Californians

There’s something special about this particular soap opera. On “The Californians,” everyone seems to be hilariously obsessed with directions. There’s still all of the twist, turns, and backstabbing of a typical melodrama too. The accents and overacting only make it that much better. Cast members like Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, and Fred Armisen are able to conjure some incredible work here as California residents. Not only are they preoccupied by geography, they also welcome a few surprise appearances. Everybody that comes on this recurring skit embraces the exaggerated and offbeat tone. If you’re paying attention to the story at all, you’ll be rewarded with a plethora of juicy details.

#12: Dooneese

You don’t need to know about “The Lawrence Welk Show” to appreciate this sketch. It always features a group of singing sisters, but one of them seems to be out of step with the others. This allows for someone like Kristen Wiig to step out and do amazing work. Her role as Dooneese seems to defy description with her forehead and baby doll hands. She is certainly somebody that you can’t miss, often interrupting the performance with her own lyrics. It’s certainly a concept that makes for hilarious results, especially when you include a group of guest hosts who all try to play along. Wiig is sensational as a character that’s full of surprises that make you laugh every time.

#11: MacGruber

Any fans of the 1980s series “MacGyver” might enjoy this parody. Will Forte plays a specialist not unlike the hero from the classic TV show. In this case, he’s not as crafty or skilled at diffusing bombs. Forte’s performance is always unhinged in the best way, as his frequent distractions serve up big laughs. Even when you know it’s coming, the sudden explosion ends up being funny. The story also takes several wild turns as the MacGruber becomes more insane. As a running gag through many seasons, his character felt like the greatest kind of joke that never overstayed its welcome.

#10: Spartan Cheerleaders

Will Ferrell and Cheri Oteri started on “SNL” in the mid-1990s, but it didn’t take long for them to break out as stars. The duo crafted cheerleaders and helped reshape the show for a new generation. Ferrell and Oteri are on fire here through some entertaining routines. In between their dances, the two have some funny banter that’s second to none. Their lyrical choices and constant bickering only fuel some of their finest moments. With the occasional guest star, the partners have even squared off against some formidable opponents. It’s only fair that they’ve become two of the most lovable characters in “Saturday Night Live” history.

#9: Coneheads

They might come from a faraway planet, but that’s just the half of it. The Coneheads are an unlikely family with conical shaped heads. The premise might seem strange until you watch the funny sketches for yourself. Whether they’re going to a dinner party or playing “Family Feud,” these aliens provide some wonderfully bizarre comedy for the show. Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, and Laraine Newman play the trio that strangely fit into society. They have a funny name for everything, but their unique vocabulary and eating styles are two highlights of “Saturday Night Live” lore.

#8: The Blues Brothers

Among the many musical guests in “SNL” history, you can’t forget to mention the Blues Brothers. They are the brainchild of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Both comedians had a knack for music, wanting to share their versatile talents with the world. After tossing out some bee outfits, the comedic buddies decided to put on a much slicker wardrobe. Their multiple appearances were the stuff of legend and carried them towards a popular film adaptation. You could consider Aykroyd and Belushi to be driving forces of the early show, with these characters enduring long after the actors left.

#7: Roseanne Roseannadanna

No “SNL” list is complete without the contributions of Gilda Radner. Her recurring roles like Roseanne Roseannadanna make for some fantastic segments. On “Weekend Update,” the funny part gave Radner the chance to do some awesome opinion pieces. Her big hair and notable accent are just two essential elements. Throughout her run on the show, the actress deployed Roseannadanna to talk about anything and everything. Her blunt rants seem to defy easy classification with subjects like cigarettes and even King Tut. Along with other roles like Emily Litella, this cast member and her characters influenced performers for generations.

#6: The Festrunk Brothers

They might be the kookiest duo of the 1970s. The Festrunk Brothers aren’t exactly shy, flaunting their status as Eastern European bachelors. Dan Aykroyd and Steve Martin star as two of the wildest and craziest guys ever. Their performances involve lots of exaggerated movements and their voices can’t be overstated either. Bursting with energy, these two actors walk into a room and immediately own it. They make this recurring skit legendary with or without the iconic catchphrase. Many years later, the duo showed up once again in a surprise cameo to win over new audiences.

#5: Wayne & Garth

Considering that the skit spawned two hit films, we can safely say that Wayne and Garth are beloved. “Wayne’s World” is certainly an enduring sketch from the show’s history. The public access hosts love all things pop culture and live music, but they also came to accumulate some amazing guests along the way. This includes an iconic episode with Aerosmith performing, with a little help from Tom Hanks. Mike Myers and Dana Carvey are endlessly lovable to rock fans that love to party. Both actors are able to channel a nostalgic vibe, reminding you of hanging out with your friends in high school.

#4: Mr. Robinson

Eddie Murphy helped re-energize “SNL” in the early 1980s. With this parody of Mr. Rogers, he was able to do a virtual one-man show. Fans of the original program will appreciate some of the references, but with a few notable tweaks. The lessons on these sketches are far more hilarious and twisted than anything on PBS. Murphy is perfectly suited to the role, throwing a wrench in the typical childhood education of the old source material. He also has some frequent snaps that force him to yell and make the character more surprising. Even when the comedian returned to host, he was able to become Robinson again without missing a beat.

#3: Stefon

For everything that Bill Hader did on “SNL,” this might be his defining achievement. It’s among many classic characters and impressive works that he helped create. Stefon is amazing to watch in segments highlighting the odds and ends of the New York nightlife. With every new club name, you can see Hader start to squirm and cover his mouth. His co-writer John Mulaney would often re-write the sketch and make this one of the most unpredictable segments ever. While it could’ve been a disaster, the skit and its rogue elements morphed into a legendary “Saturday Night Live” piece.

#2: The Church Lady

During the 1980s and 1990s, Dana Carvey became a mainstay on “Saturday Night Live.” One of his best remembered characters might very well be the Church Lady. This woman hosts “Church Chat” and loves critiquing people about their alleged connections to Satan. She also interviewed a whole host of real guests, characters, and impressions in entertaining segments. Carvey developed a natural rhythm with the role, making everyone from Rob Lowe to Joe Montana a good fit for the skit. It’s safe to say that this lady’s frequent appearances and later guest work made her an “SNL” icon. Don’t forget the dancing either.

#1: Matt Foley

When many people think of Chris Farley, they probably consider this character to be his best. Matt Foley is a motivational speaker that doesn’t mind a more unconventional venue. His first sketch was an immediate success filled with raw and physical comedy at its finest. The performer even made his co-star’s laugh in the moment. When you watch these sketches back, you see a comedian that’s completely in his element. Naturally, the show brought Foley back on several occasions to inspire people. This includes Halloween-themed speeches and even a trip to a jail. In almost every instance, the actor puts his body on the line to entertain everyone. It’s a timeless character that’s a burst of happiness every time you see him.

Who’s your favorite recurring cast-mate? Let us know in the comments below!