1980-1985
 

 

Denny Dillon
As one of the stronger members, though that's not saying much, of the 1980 cast, Denny held up what was left of that season. She played characters of her own creation like Debbie, and had a good impression of Yoko Ono. After she was fired, she has done small film projects.

Robin Duke
The quiet and shy one. Robin was hired after the firing of Jean Doumanian in 1981 by Dick Ebersol. She went strong for 3 more seasons before leaving the show to work on small productions. On the show though, she had some good impressions like Shelley Winters and Sherri Lewis. 

Gilbert Gottfried
Gilbert was, if anything, used for sketches in the 1980 season. Though not as annoying as he is today, he was funny in the cast that year and almost made it to next years crew. One of his better known characters is Leo Waxman, who would g around and visit New York. Since his gig on the show, he has been one of the most successful of that season. He's made some movies and does numerous standup acts around the country.

Tim Kazurinsky
Tim was one of the shortest SNLers, though brilliant in his talents. One of the smartest and knowledgeable members for 3 seasons, he brought funny characters to the stage, including Havnagootiim Vishnuuerheer on Weekend Update, Mr. Landlord, and Wayne Huevos. Since his time, he's done small film projects.

Gail Matthius
Along with Charlie Rocket, they both took over reigns on Weekend Update in 1980. Like 1994, this part of the show was considered the high point. While not behind the news desk, he did impressions of Nancy Reagan and Brooke Sheilds. Lately, she's been working on small budget films.

Eddie Murphy
Hired as an extra, then moved up to featured player, to being promoted to cast member in the course of a 13 episode season, Eddie was the lone star of the show for 4 years. Had it not been for him, SNL may have fallen apart. He created loved characters like Buckwheat, Gumby, Velvet Jones, and the classic Mr. Robinson, host of Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood. He didn't stop there as he portrayed hilarious impressions of Sammy Davis Jr., Bill Cosby, Stevie Wonder, and James Brown. He left the show in 1984 as Hollywood was calling him, and has appeared in numerous hit films.

Joe Piscopo
As he tag teamed with Eddie Murphy, these two were the "Aykroyd and Belushi" of the 80's cast. With over 35 impressions he brought to the show, including Ronald Reagan, Phil Donahue, David Letterman, Dan Rather, Barbara Streisand, Dean Martin, and Joan Rivers, and the DEAD ON of Frank Sinatra, he groomed the show to new highs. He also left with Murphy in 1984 to make movies, but has always been the brunt of many long-running SNL jokes.

Charles Rocket
Deemed as the next Chevy Chase, Charlie was part of the 1980 cast, were he wrote and starred in Weekend Update. His time was short and sweet though, as he was fired for saying the f-word on the air. He also brought to the show an impression of Ronald Reagan. Since his time on the show, no one has seen him.

Tony Rosato
Not a crucial part of the cast, he was part of the company for 1 season, and brought a decent impression of Captain Kangaroo along with him. Since then, some believed he fell off the face of the earth.

Christine Ebersol
It's not a coincidence that Christine showed up on the show, let alone Weekend Update, as Dick Ebersol was the executive producer. She was part of the Weekend Update team for her one season stint, and did an impression of Princess Di a few times.

Mary Gross
Mary was part of the crew for 3 years, from 1982-1985. She brought a new style to the show, and did many off-beat impressions and characters, including Pee-Wee Herman, Ann Landers, and Mary Tyler Moore and created Siobhan Cahill and Alfalfa. Her upbeat attitude kept the show rolling in the 80's, and since her departure in 85 has appeared in many films.

Brad Hall
Brad Hall was the anchor on Saturday Night News for 2 years. Though his jokes seemed endlessly long and not funny, he kept the news alive for two years. Since then he married former SNLer Julia Louis Dreyfus and has produced TV sitcoms. 

Gary Kroeger
Gary was a member of the crew for 3 years. During his time on the show, he created characters such as El Dorko, and has done hilarious impressions of Donny Osmond and Paul Shaffer. Since the show, he's believed to have fallen of the face of the earth.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus
One of the better performers of the show during this era, Julia created memorable characters like Becky, Consuela, and April May June. She did low key impressions like Linda Ellerbee and Marie Osmond. She was a dominant and good sketch performer, and since her time created a huge name for herself in the greatest sitcom ever, Seinfeld, which ran for 9 years. Her character, Elaine, would travel around New York with problems galore all while looking for Mr. Right. Currently, she is starring in the series, "Watching Ellie," where former SNLer and husband of Julia, Brad Hall produces, and former SNL writer Steve Carrell stars as well.

Jim Belushi
Brother of John Belushi, Jim was a cast member from 1983-1985. He had difficult shoes to follow; many expected an outrageous and wacky performance from him. What followed was a more calmer, somewhat more sophisticated Belushi. He created a memorable character, That White Guy, and one sketch, "White Guy's Rap" was one of the highest and funniest moments in the 1984 season. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Hulk Hogan, Willie Nelson, and Joan Collins are just a few impressions he perfected on his time. Since his SNL days, he has done some movies, and recently is starring in the hit ABC sitcom, "According to Jim."

Billy Crystal
A little fact known by very few; Billy was an original "Not Ready for Prime Time Player," who appeared in the dress rehearsal October 11, 1975 show, but his skit was cut before live, and he too, was cut from the show hours before its debut. To make peace with himself, he tried again in 1984 and got the job. Like many that year, he was already well known when he came to the cast. He brought to the show some of the best characters of this cast, including the very popular Fernando, in which he and his questioning voice would find trouble each week. He also created Buddy Young, Jr. and Willie, another popular character he made with Chris Guest. He did impressions of Joe Frankiln, Lew Goldman, and considered one of, if not, the best impression in SNL history, Sammy Davis Jr. This dead on impression was applauded by many critics. 

Christopher Guest
The only SNLer with royalty, Christopher Guest took over reigns from Brad Hall of Saturday Night News, although he was hard to come by on there, having many hosts fill in the spot there. His unique style was like no other; long get to the point jokes. It was difficult sometimes, but he kept the news alive for another year.

Rich Hall
Although not used much at all during his one stint season, Rich did impressions of Doug Fluttie and Paul Harvey. Since then, he has never been heard from anyone.

Martin Short
Also well known before he came to SNL, Marty was one of the fan favorites that season, one that he started on his debut night, Synchronized Swimmers, with Harry Shearer. He also created characters like Ed Grimley, Jackie Rogers Jr, and Nathan Thurm. He also did impressions of Katherine Hepburn, Robin Williams, and Paul Simon. Since the show, he's had a very successful TV and movie career and stars in his show, "Primetime Glick," where he portrays critic Jiminy Glick and does guest interviews and short skits.

Pamela Stephenson
Also not doing much this season, Pamela did impressions of Madonna, Billy Idol, and Joan Collins. Since then, she's done small, independent work.