'SNL' cast members: Our 40 favorites

Gilda Radner (1975-80): Notable characters include advice guru Roseanne Roseannadanna, the hearing-impaired Emily Litella, Barbara Walters parody Baba Wawa and a number of impersonations (Lucille Ball, Patti Smith).

Chevy Chase (1975-76; pictured at right with Steve Martin): In addition to holding down the "Weekend Update" desk (with catchphrases "I'm Chevy Chase, and you're not" and "Good night, and have a pleasant tomorrow"), notable characters include "Jaws" spoof Land Shark.

Garrett Morris (1975-80; pictured at right with Julian Bond): Notable characters include baseball player Chico Escuela; also occasionally sang classical music.

Laraine Newman (1975-80; pictured at right with Gilda Radner and Burt Reynolds): Notable characters include Connie Conehead and Lina Wertmuller.

Al Franken (1975-80, 1985-95): Notable characters include self-help guru Stuart Smalley ("I'm good enough. I'm smart enough and doggone it, people like me").

Bill Murray (1977-80; pictured at left with Sting): One of the Killer Bees (with Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi and Garrett Morris), Nick the Lounge Singer, Todd the Nerd (with Gilda Radner as Lisa Loopner).

Eddie Murphy (1980-84): Notable characters include his surly Gumby ("I'm Gumby, dammit!"), adult "Little Rascal" Buckwheat and Mr. Rogers parody Mr. Robinson.

Jon Lovitz (1985-90): Notable characters include Tommy Flanagan the Pathological Liar ("Yeah! That's the ticket!"), Michael Dukakis impersonation and Hanukkah Harry.

Dana Carvey (1986-93): Notable characters include "Church Chat" host The Church Lady (pictured, with John Goodman), Garth of "Wayne's World" and Grumpy Old Man; impersonations of Ross Perot and George H.W. Bush.

Kristen Wiig (2005-12; pictured at right with Lindsay Lohan): Notable characters include Gilly the Target Lady, Aunt Linda, Dooneese, and the deformed singing sister on "The Lawrence Welk Show."

John Belushi (1975-79): Notable characters include Jake Blues, Samurai Futaba, Pete Dionasopolis ("No Coke. Pepsi"; "Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger").

Dan Aykroyd (1975-79): Notable characters include Elwood Blues, Beldar Conehead, Georg Festrunk (with Steve Martin, "Two wild and crazy guys"), "Weekend Update" anchor ("Jane, you ignorant slut").

Jane Curtin (1975-80): Notable characters include Prymaat Conehead and Enid Loopner; also co-anchored "Weekend Update."

Joe Piscopo (1980-84; pictured at right with Jerry Lewis): Notable characters include Frank Sinatra, New Jersey guy Paulie Herman ("You from Jersey? What exit?) and a rhyming "Weekend Update" sportscaster.

Martin Short (1984-85): Man-child Ed Grimley, defensive chain smoker Nathan Thurm; Katharine Hepburn impersonation.

Billy Crystal (1984-85): Notable characters include Fernando, host of "Fernando's Hideaway," and insult comic Buddy Young.

Dennis Miller (1985-91): "Weekend Update" anchor ("Guess what, folks? That's the news, and I am outta here!").

Jan Hooks (1986-91): With particularly strong impersonations, Hooks took on Sinead O'Connor, Nancy Reagan, Diane Sawyer and more, and was also part of the singing Sweeney Sisters (with Nora Dunn). Pictured: George Steinbrenner fixes a steely stare at "SNL" cast members Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman and Hooks during a rehearsal on Oct. 18, 1990.

Phil Hartman (1986-94): Notable characters include Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer; impersonations of Bill Clinton, Frank Sinatra, Ed McMahon, Barbara Bush and Phil Donahue, among many others.

Rob Schneider (1988-94; pictured at right with Macaulay Culkin): Notable characters include Richard Laymer ("The Richmeister"), an office worker who irks people by giving them nicknames, and The Sensitive Naked Man, a nude man who gives advice to other characters.

Mike Myers (1989-95): Notable characters include Wayne of "Wayne's World," Dieter ("Sprockets"), Linda Richman ("Coffee Talk").

Chris Rock (1990-93): Notable characters include militant host Nat X ("The Dark Side") and Arsenio Hall impersonation.

Chris Farley (1990-95): Nervous host of "The Chris Farley Show," motivational speaker Matt Foley, member of Bill Swerski's (Chicago Bears) Superfans ("DA Bears!"), Chippendale's dancer (opposite Patrick Swayze); impersonations of Tom Arnold, Meat Loaf, Newt Gingrich and Mama Cass.

David Spade (1990-96): Notable for his "Hollywood Minute" reporter, flight attendant who utters "buh-bye" and impersonations including Martha Stewart.

Adam Sandler (1991-95): Notable characters include Opera Man and Canteen Boy; on "Weekend Update," sang that catchy "The Chanukah Song."

Norm MacDonald (1993-97): Known for his impersonations of Bob Dole (pictured as Dole, with Dennis Rodman), Larry King and Burt Reynolds.

Darrell Hammond (1995-2009): Known for his impersonations of Bill Clinton (pictured at right as Clinton, with the president himself), Regis Philbin and Jesse Jackson.

Will Ferrell (1995-2002): Plenty of impersonations (President George W. Bush, Robert Goulet, James Lipton, Alex Trebeck); notable characters include Roxbury guy Steve Butabi, "Dog Show" host David Larry, Spartan cheerleader Craig Buchanan.

Molly Shannon (1995-2001): Notable characters include Mary Katherine Gallagher, the awkward Catholic school student who aspires to be a musical superstar.

Tracy Morgan (1996-2003): Notable characters include "Planet Safari" host Brian Fellow, Astronaut Jones and Uncle Jemima.

Jimmy Fallon (1998-2004): Notable characters include Barry Gibb; Jarret (from "Jarret's Room"), a stoner who hosts his own Internet webcam show; sarcastic tech-support guy Nick Burns.

Tina Fey (2000-06): Co-anchored "Weekend Update" (with Jimmy Fallon); notable impersonations include Sarah Palin (pictured).

Seth Meyers (2001-13): Notable characters include "Pranksters" host Zach Ricky, insult scientist David Zinger, Dan Needler, half of a married couple "that should be divorced," (opposite Amy Poehler); also anchored "Weekend Update" (pictured at right with Bill Hader as Stefon).

Amy Poehler (2001-08): Co-anchored "Weekend Update" (with Tina Fey); notable characters include hyperactive kid Kaitlin; impersonated Hillary Clinton (pictured at left with Clinton herself).

Will Forte (2002-10): We're partial to his MacGyver spoof MacGruber, but the malleable comedian offered up other memorable characters in soft-spoken political candidate Tim Calhoun, sports commentator Greg Stink (opposite Jason Sudekis as Pete Twinkle), ad exec-turned mountain man The Falconer and a member of Jon Bovi (Bon Jovi "opposite band").

Fred Armisen (2002-13): Notable characters include Garth (half of the unprepared singing duo Garth & Kat); impersonations of Barack Obama, Lawrence Welk.

Andy Samberg (2005-12): Notable for his digital shorts (especially with Justin Timberlake) and characters Liam the Teenager who Just Woke Up (on "Weekend Update") and rapper Blizzard Man.

Jason Sudeikis (2005-13): Notable characters include Pete Twinkle, One of the Two A-holes (with Kristen Wiig); Joe Biden impersonation.

Bill Hader (2005-13): Notable characters include flamboyant "Weekend Update" correspondent Stefon and Italian talk-show host Vinny Vedecci.

Bobby Moynihan (2008-present): Notable characters include Drunk Uncle (pictured at left with Seth Meyers), Snooki and Anthony Crispino, the second-hand news reporter.