Top 20 SNL Impressions That the Real Person LOVED

#20: Chloe Fineman as Alex Cooper

In October 2024, “SNL” nailed the chaos of doomscrolling on TikTok with a sketch that parodied viral dance trends and popular creators. One of the highlights was Chloe Fineman’s impression of “Call Her Daddy” host Alex Cooper. In the bit, Fineman dons a green hoodie on a couch and playfully introduces her next guest in true Cooper fashion. Cooper certainly found this amusing, as she responded by posting a perfect lip sync of Fineman’s impression, tagging her in the caption with the words “I love you.” Fineman responded in kind, calling Cooper an “icon” in the comments. Cooper wasn’t the only one thrilled by the sketch; TikTokers Harry Daniels and Keith Lee also gave their impressions a thumbs-up.

#19: Scarlett Johansson as Katie Britt

Alabama Senator Katie Britt gave the Republican response to President Joe Biden’s 2024 State of the Union address, and it left everyone weirdly creeped out. Britt’s dramatic, almost theatrical delivery was practically begging to be spoofed, and “SNL” wasted no time. They brought in none other than Oscar-nominated actor Scarlett Johansson, who took Britt’s intensity and dialed it up to eleven. Strangely enough, Britt loved it. When she appeared on “Verdict,” the podcast hosted by fellow Republican Senator Ted Cruz, she said she fully expected to be parodied on “SNL,” but had no idea who’d play her. However, she was pretty pumped to learn that Johansson would be doing the job, and ended up actually enjoying the impression.

#18: Mikey Day as Sean Evans

The wildly popular YouTube interview series “Hot Ones” got the full “SNL” treatment in 2021 and 2024, both during episodes hosted by Maya Rudolph. Although Rudolph’s Beyoncé was the star of the sketches, the real-life “Hot Ones” host Sean Evans was still very impressed with cast member Mikey Day’s spot-on impersonation of him. In a chat with “Today” hosts Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager, Evans was asked about Day’s impression and admitted to loving it. But for him, the most impressive part of the sketch was the fact that someone in the show’s costume department had to hunt down a perfectly average outfit just to make Day look believably like him. That alone had him completely sold.

#17: Cecily Strong as Gretchen Whitmer

The COVID-19 pandemic turned a few low-profile governors into national household names, none more so than Michigan’s Gretchen Whitmer. In this “SNL at Home” sketch, Cecily Strong played Whitmer delivering a video message to the people of Michigan from her backyard. Strong perfectly captured Whitmer’s blend of firm resolve and Midwestern warmth, even offering some social distancing tips for the protesters opposing her stay-at-home orders. Whitmer appreciated the impression… well, almost. In a later interview, she called out the fact that Strong was holding a Canadian beer and clarified that her loyalty lies with Michigan brews only. Regardless, she was delighted enough to send Strong a homemade care package, including mugs, a T-shirt and of course, plenty of Michigan beer.

#16: Brad Pitt as Dr. Anthony Fauci

Speaking of people who became national household names during the pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci sits comfortably at the top of that list. When asked who he’d want to play him on “SNL,” Fauci jokingly said Brad Pitt. That might have seemed like a long shot, but lo and behold, Pitt made a guest appearance in the first “SNL at home” episode, parodying Fauci’s deadpan style with uncanny precision. Fauci was just as surprised as the rest of us that his joke wish came true, but he loved the impression, especially how Pitt captured the sheer chaos of the moment. But what truly won Fauci over was the end of the sketch, when Pitt broke character to thank Fauci himself and all frontline workers.

#15: Will Ferrell as James Lipton

Will Ferrell delivered several great impressions during his legendary “SNL” run, but his take on James Lipton remains one of the most underrated. As the ultra-serious host of “Inside the Actors Studio,” Lipton was ripe for parody and Ferrell played him with such absurdity that made people want to go see the actual show. Rather than take offense, Lipton greatly appreciated Ferrell for boosting his popularity and even invited him to “Inside the Actors Studio.” In a surreal full-circle moment, Ferrell once again put on the impression of Lipton to interview the real-life Lipton. The recurring “SNL” sketch ultimately sparked a genuine friendship between Lipton and Ferrell, one that lasted until Lipton passed away in 2020.

#14: Vanessa Bayer as Miley Cyrus

Part of the reason why Vanessa Bayer actually got the job at “SNL” was the Miley Cyrus impression she delivered at her audition. It was so good that an entire recurring sketch, “The Miley Cyrus Show,” was created around it. But it wasn’t just the show’s producers that loved the impression. Miley Cyrus herself was totally sold on it. She once ran into Bayer in public and told her she thought the impression was “cool.” When Cyrus made her “SNL” hosting debut in 2011, the show seized the golden opportunity to create the perfect meta moment by putting the two side by side. They had Bayer play Cyrus interviewing Justin Bieber… who was played by the actual Miley Cyrus.

#13: Various Cast Members as the Co-Hosts of “The View”

There once was a time when nearly every co-host on “The View” was portrayed by a man on “SNL.” Thankfully, things have since changed and no one’s more thrilled to be played by women than the actual ladies of “The View.” In 2019, “SNL” poked fun at the show’s famously fiery debates with a sketch about immigration and vaccines. It aired while “The View” was on hiatus and when the show returned, the hosts couldn’t resist sharing the clip with their audience. They were not only relieved to see themselves played by women, but also genuinely impressed by the spot-on impressions and how well the sketch captured their clashing perspectives. Well, everyone except Sunny Hostin, who was curiously left out.

#12: Kate McKinnon as Ellen DeGeneres

Kate McKinnon debuted on “SNL” with a bang. Right out of the gate, she unleashed a series of impressions that would go on to become legendary, most notably one of Ellen DeGeneres. From the relentless optimism to the non-stop dancing, McKinnon nailed DeGeneres so perfectly that the talk show host had to take notice. And she was all in on the joke. She even invited McKinnon onto “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in 2013, where the “SNL” star talked about how she perfected the impression over time. That was her first visit, but certainly not her last. To show how much DeGeneres enjoyed having McKinnon around, she kept inviting her back and even once allowed her to take over the host’s chair.

#11: Dana Carvey as George H. W. Bush

Sandwiched between the magnetic Ronald Reagan and the effortlessly charming Bill Clinton, George H. W. Bush didn’t exactly ooze star power. This made him a tough nut to crack on “SNL.” But Dana Carvey somehow found a way to impersonate him in a spectacularly hilarious way. Carvey’s impression of Bush quickly became one of the show’s most iconic bits, full of quirky catchphrases and exaggerated hand gestures. Surprisingly, the famously stoic Bush Sr. loved every second of it. He was such a fan, he even invited Carvey to perform at his final Christmas party in office. The two kept in touch long after Bush’s presidency ended and maintained a close friendship until his passing in 2018.

#10: Bowen Yang as Charli XCX

The long-running sketch show heralded its 50th season in style. One of the season premiere’s biggest hits was “The Talk Talk Show,” hosted by English music sensation Charli XCX. Actually, it was cast member Bowen Yang in drag. Yang’s take on the “Brat summer” trailblazer got a lot of laughs from the studio audience, but was it brat? According to the pop star herself, Yang’s impersonation was incredibly brat. Not only did she appreciate the performance, but the texture of Yang’s wig was a particular highlight for her. Yang would revive the character later in the season, right next to host Charli XCX herself, who was in character as Troye Sivan.

#9: Maya Rudolph as Oprah Winfrey

You get an impression! You get an impression! Everybody gets an impression! Maya Rudolph’s Oprah Winfrey sketch is legendary. Spoofing the legendary TV host’s love of giving her hysterical audience free stuff, Rudolph absolutely nails Winfrey’s enthusiasm for things like macaroons and Ugg boots. The memorable segment is also inspired by the very real audience who got a little too excited about one of Winfrey’s giveaways. According to Rudolph, Winfrey was thrilled with the sketch. She was especially pleased that a woman on the show was playing her, as only male cast members had impersonated her on the program to that point.

#8: Jay Pharoah as Denzel Washington

Former cast member Jay Pharoah’s Denzel Washington is one of the most spot-on impersonations ever heard on the show. He nails the beloved actor’s cadence and tone almost exactly. The most famous sketch finds Pharoah’s version of Denzel working at a department store to research a new movie. Parodying the playfully terrifying mannerisms Washington uses in some of his most famous roles, Pharoah harangues a customer trying to return a handbag. When Pharoah finally met Washington at the actor’s AFI tribute, not only did the actor know exactly who he was, but he told the comedian he owed him a lot of money. Clearly, he took it in stride. In fact, Washington publicly praised the performance.

#7: Maya Rudolph as Donatella Versace

Some impressions are so good they keep coming back. Maya Rudolph’s dazed and confused version of Italian fashion designer and businesswoman Donatella Versace was a recurring highlight of her time on the show. The sketches would find Rudolph holding a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other, hawking products and flaunting her celebrity lifestyle. Despite playing her in what we’ll call a slightly elevated manner, the real Donatella Versace apparently thought it was hilarious. Having said that, Versace did have a few pointers for Rudolph, which she imparted to the performer during a phone call.

#6: Vanessa Bayer as Jennifer Aniston

The former “Friends” star has been imitated plenty of times on “SNL.” An entire 2013 sketch centered around a Jennifer Aniston lookalike contest had several cast members trying their hand. But Aniston had a clear favorite. According to her, Vanessa Bayer’s permanently confused Rachel Green really has the sauce. The two finally got to talk about it while co-starring in the workplace comedy “Office Christmas Party.” The studio audience cheered when Aniston made a surprise appearance during a 2016 “Weekend Update” segment where the two played out an argument over the faithfulness of the impression.

#5: Chloe Fineman as Drew Barrymore

The actress-turned-daytime talk show host usually has nothing but glowing things to say about her guests, and Chloe Fineman was no exception. “SNL’s” season 46 premiere lovingly skewered Barrymore’s elementary school art teacher energy. Fineman dug right into her effusive compliments, sunshine and roses mentality, and spacey personality in a way that was almost too real. When Barrymore had Fineman on her actual show, life imitated art, as the host offered up compliment after compliment. She literally bowed to her impersonator at the end of the segment. If that’s not a ringing endorsement, what is?

#4: Larry David as Bernie Sanders

In the run-up to the 2016 election, comedian and “Seinfeld” co-creator Larry David’s take on Bernie Sanders was a runaway hit. He honed in on the Vermont senators’ dislike of billionaires, claiming to only own one pair of underwear, unlike the rich bigwigs in Washington D.C. He returned to host the show later in the season, merging his on-screen persona with Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders in an incredible sketch. The senator suggested they should put David up in his place at the next rally, saying the comedian does him better than he does himself.

#3: Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris

In the weeks leading up to the 2024 election, the first few episodes of the 50th season mined candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump for all they could. Former player and frequent guest Maya Rudolph earned a lot of praise as Harris. She took on the vice president’s mannerisms, sense of humor, and articulate but sometimes roundabout way of making a point and milked them for comedy. Her fans included the vice president herself. Harris laughed hysterically when presented with footage of the impression on “The View,” praising Maya Rudolph’s talent. A few weeks later, she appeared on a pre-election episode alongside her imitator.

#2: Ariana Grande as Céline Dion

The “Thank U, Next” singer has been doing her exaggerated impression of the French-Canadian powerhouse for a few years. It was probably Ariana Grande’s appearances on “Jimmy Fallon” that cemented her status as a foremost Dion impersonator, but she’s brought her skills to “SNL” a few times since then. In a 2016 sketch spoofing the Tidal streaming service, Grande cycled through her retinue of pop singer impressions, but audiences were most excited to hear her do Céline Dion again. In an interview with Elvis Duran, Grande said that when she met the singer, she said her impression made her laugh until she peed. Sounds like a rave to us.

#1: Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton

The 2016 election inspired a year of banner impressions on the show. Much of the fun McKinnon poked at former senator and secretary of state Hillary Clinton was born out of the idea that Clinton was hiding a lot of her true feelings about her opponents. The performer found a lot of wicked and hilarious commentary in Clinton’s inability to swear and lose her composure on the campaign trail like some of the male candidates in the race. Clinton was so pleased, and genuinely moved by McKinnon’s work that she wrote about it in her memoir.

Which of these “SNL” celebrity impressions is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.