Random Best One-Season 'SNL' Cast Members (23 items)

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  (#8) Christopher Guest

  • 71

  1984 - 1985 

  Originally brought on as a writer, Guest used his time at SNL to continue to hone the comedy skills that he brought from The National Lampoon Radio Hour. But the show was not big enough to contain his brilliance and Guest, along with Michael McKean and Harry Shearer, had already make a now-classic film, This Is Spinal Tap. Moving on was the best move. Guest went on to create spoof documentaries, including Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, and A Mighty Wind.

  Source: Biography
  
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  (#7) Chris Elliott

  • 58

  1994 - 1995 

  Elliott, like a lot of his one-year Saturday Night Live cast mates, already had a career when he got sucked into the abyss. He hated his year on SNL and seemed unconcerned at how he was going over with the audience. Elliott was always fine with playing the oddball, the weirdo, and the slightly off-center characters.  

  It took leaving the show before he found his feet again with Kingpin, There's Something About Mary, and recurring roles on popular TV shows. The current era appreciates Elliott's brand of humor and he's found a new fan base with roles where audiences get him, including Adult Swim’s Eagleheart and Schitt’s Creek. He’ll also live on forever in Groundhog Day and Cabin Boy.  

  Source: Splitsider
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  (#9) Joan Cusack

  • 56

  1985 - 1986  

  Saturday Night Live is not a friendly place for the quirky and unique and Cusack had no luck in standing out during her one year run. Almost immediately after leaving SNL, she picked up a role in the hit film Broadcast News. She also appeared alongside her brother, John, in several films, including Say Anything, High Fidelity, and Grosse Pointe Blank and picked up two Oscar nominations for Working Girl and In & Out. She has had successful voice acting roles in the Toy Story franchise and a recurring role on the U.S. version of Shameless. 

  
  

  Source: Splitsider
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  (#10) Robert Downey Jr.

  • 53

  1985 - 1986  

  Downey was not fully formed when he joined the Saturday Night Live cast in 1985. He was only 20 years old and not the awesome man audiences cherish today. His work on the show was so meh that many people don't even remember that he was part of the cast. But he has never suffered from his time on SNL. Instead, Downey ran amok, went to prison for a time, got clean and sober, and has starred in indie and blockbuster films like a boss. There's no business like show business.

  Source: Roilling Stone
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  (#12) David Koechner

  • 56

  1995 - 1996  

  Koechner used his one year well at Saturday Night Live, introducing audiences to his surrealistic good ole boy characters and making a life long friend (and future costar) in Will Ferrell. Koechner brought an everyman element to Saturday Night Live sketches and also knew when to get weird but NBC executive Don Ohlmeyer wanted him gone. Koechner also had no trouble telling writers and producers no.  

  After SNL, he appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and starred in The Naked Trucker Show. Koechner is also known for his role as Champ Kind in the Anchorman movie franchise and voice work on American Dad! 

  Source: Splitsider
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  (#1) Billy Crystal

  • 70

  1985 - 1986 

  Crystal's year on Saturday Night Live was a boost for the show. His characters such as Fernando, Sammy Davis Jr., and "I hate it when that happens" Willie left an impression on the audience. Crystal was white hot and didn't linger past one season, though. He went on to become the showbiz legend we all know and love today. He has hosted the Oscars nine times and continues to star in films and appear on TV with projects such as 2015's The Comedians on FX.  
  
  Source: Variety

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