10 SNL Castmembers Who Fell Off the Map

10 SNL Castmembers Who Fell Off the Map

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re looking at “SNL” cast members who fell off the map following their time on the show.

Beth Cahill

Beth Cahill caught the “SNL” producers’ attention after appearing as Marcia Brady in “The Real Live Brady Bunch” at Chicago’s Annoyance Theater. Melanie Hutsell, who impersonated Jan Brady, was brought on board as well. Hutsell and Cahill co-starred in the “Delta Delta Delta” sketches with Siobhan Fallon. Cahill popped up in the “Bill Swerski’s Superfans” sketches as Denise, Bob’s daughter. Only lasting a season on “SNL,” Cahill hasn’t had many on-screen credits since. Cahill did return to “SNL” once in 1999, albeit for a voiceover role as Geraldo’s assistant in the “TV Funhouse” sketch, “The Ginsburg Gang.” Beyond TV, she’d revisit her roots on Chicago’s improv comedy stage. Cahill also balanced comedy with a second career as a fashion designer.

Ann Risley

Season 6 was the first without Lorne Michaels, marking one of the darkest chapters in “SNL” history. After only 12 episodes, a few new cast members would be gone. This included Ann Risley, who had a handful of small roles in Woody Allen movies. You can also spot her in Season 2’s “Mobile Shrink” sketch before she officially joined the “SNL” cast. While Risley had good timing, she wasn’t given much of a chance to leave her mark at Studio 8H, reflecting on her short-lived employment as “horrible.” While she’d appear in a couple more movies and shows, Risley’s screen career fizzled out in the early '90s. Risley channeled much of her focus into The Studio for Actors, based in Arizona.

Finesse Mitchell

In 2003, “SNL” hired two African-American cast members. One was Kenan Thompson, who’d become the show’s longest-running cast member ever. The other wasn’t Kel Mitchell, who also auditioned, but Finesse Mitchell (no relation). Finesse was a featured player for two years, performing alongside Kenan in several sketches. Both were upgraded to repertory players for their third season, although Thompson’s career took off, while Mitchell ironically appeared in even fewer sketches that year. Budget issues led to Mitchell’s subsequent exit. Post-“SNL,” Mitchell found work in films like “Who’s Your Caddy?” and shows like Disney Channel’s “A.N.T. Farm.” Mitchell returned to standup and hosted the “Understand This” podcast, but his onscreen roles have been few and far between.

Nora Dunn

Surviving the infamous eleventh season, Nora Dunn had a solid five-year run on “SNL,” impersonating celebrities like Ann Landers and Jeane Dixon. She also breathed life into original characters, such as French sex worker Babette and talk show host Pat Stevens. Unfortunately, Dunn is remembered less for her versatile work on “SNL” and more for how she left things. When it was announced that controversial comedian Andrew Dice Clay would host in Season 15, Dunn refused to participate in the episode. Few stood by Dunn, whose “SNL” tenure ended shortly after. While Dunn had guest spots on shows like “The Nanny” and cameos in movies like “Pineapple Express,” we can’t help but wonder if the Diceman incident prevented her from becoming a bigger name.

Gail Matthius

Usually, when a cast member hosts “Weekend Update,” their “SNL” legacy is cemented. Gail Matthius’ time behind the desk has gone overlooked for two reasons. 1) She only co-anchored six segments with Charles Rocket. 2) She joined during the ill-fated sixth season, meaning her time on “SNL” wouldn’t last long. Following a series of bit parts in live-action projects, Matthius became better known for her voiceover work as Shirley the Loon in “Tiny Toon Adventures” and Martha Generic in “Bobby’s World.” While you undoubtedly heard Matthius’ voice in the 90s, she vanished from TV in the early 2000s. It wasn’t until 2017 that Matthius got back in front of the camera. She remains involved in improv and sings with The Shambles LA rock band.

Jim Breuer

Hey, remember Goat Boy? He was part goat, part human, and a relic of all things 80s, presented through a nostalgic 90s lens. Jim Breuer played Goat Boy in addition to other recurring characters like Heavy Metal Guy. He was perhaps best known for his impression of Joe Pesci, but Breuer wasn’t the happiest camper during his three seasons on “SNL.” Leaving in 1998, it seemed big things might be on the horizon for Breuer, who co-starred in the comedy “Half Baked.” While that film gained a cult following, it’s still Breuer’s most high-profile role. Aside from his standup, Breuer has primarily made headlines in recent years for his anti-vaccine stance and stories detailing why “SNL” isn’t a dream job for everyone.

Victoria Jackson

Already fairly well-known for her contributions to “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,” Victoria Jackson joined “SNL” in 1986. She was a frequent presence on “Weekend Update,” serving as a correspondent. This provided Jackson with a platform to showcase her unique talents, like performing poetry while impersonating a table. Jackson had a modest film career, but her star began to fade after leaving “SNL” in 1992. By the 2000s, comedy had taken a backseat, with Jackson primarily using her position to promote her Christian and conservative beliefs. While Jackson still found acting work, her contentious comments on the LGBTQIA+ community and abortion likely limited her options. Since her breast cancer diagnosis in 2015, Jackson faced additional health issues.

Cheri Oteri

Cheri Oteri was one of several new hires who helped breathe new life into “SNL” during the mid-'90s. Between playing one half of the Spartan Cheerleaders and Nadeen the “Simmer Down” lady, Oteri was always a source of unhinged energy throughout her five seasons. Months after leaving “SNL” in 2000, Oteri had a funny supporting role in “Scary Movie,” suggesting that we’d be seeing a lot more of her in the years to come. Oteri’s career has been largely restricted to small roles in live-action and animation, however. For someone who was such a scene-stealer during her “SNL” days, Oteri simply hasn’t been given many roles to steal as of late. Even when she has, the material hasn’t always been there on paper.

Chris Kattan

Auditioning around the same time as Oteri, Chris Kattan was another “SNL” breakout who seemed destined for superstardom. In addition to livewire characters like Mango and Mr. Peepers, Kattan stood out as one of the Roxbury guys, co-starring with Will Ferrell in a feature. Where Ferrell’s film career skyrocketed, Kattan had back-to-back misfires with “Monkeybone” and “Corky Romano.” Not destined for the silver screen, many questioned what Kattan would do after he left “SNL” in 2003. Aside from a recurring role on “The Middle,” not much, sadly. Kattan also had a stint on “Dancing with the Stars,” where his history of neck issues came to light. Then there was this scene from “Nope,” reminding us that Kattan really was a force on “SNL.”

Mary Gross

Mary Gross had a slightly longer run than Gail Matthius as an anchor for “Weekend Update,” or “SNL NewsBreak,” lasting seven segments. Although that gig was brief, Gross still had a respectable four-year run as an “SNL” cast member, doing impressions of figures like Dr. Ruth and Eleanor Roosevelt. She also played some fun original characters, such as a sarcastic Mother Superior. After “SNL” in the 90s, Gross’ credits included walk-on roles in movies like “The Santa Clause,” a recurring role on “Sabrina, the Teenage Witch,” and various voiceover roles. Gross was last seen in a 2012 episode of “Raising Hope.” Missing from the screen for more than a decade, Gross is presumably retired. In any case, she’s off the map.

Which “SNL” cast member would you like to see return to the limelight? Let us know in the comments.