Saturday Night Live is not just about skits and laughs—it is a secret weapon for launching Hollywood careers. Some of the industry's biggest names owe their rise to the iconic SNL stage. These actors turned SNL scenes into blockbuster careers. Who knew that one unforgettable sketch or a perfectly timed impression could turn a comedian into a household name? 

Want to know which A-listers were made by SNL’s unpredictable magic? From goofy characters to laugh-out-loud one-liners, these stars transitioned from Saturday night highlights to taking over the big screen.

Tina Fey’s rise from SNL writer to Hollywood powerhouse is nothing short of iconic. After joining SNL in 1997, she quickly became the first female head writer and went on to make history with her sharp wit, memorable Weekend Update moments, and unforgettable impressions, like her Sarah Palin parody. 

Her talent then soared in Hollywood with Mean Girls (2004), featuring alongside Lindsay Lohan and the hit TV show 30 Rock, which she created, wrote, and starred in. With her own brand of humor, Fey turned every project into gold, making her one of comedy's brightest stars!

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Before Mike Myers became the quirky Austin Powers or the lovable Shrek, he was a standout on Saturday Night Live. During his five-year stint, Myers introduced viewers to memorable characters like Wayne Campbell from Wayne's World and Dieter from Mike Myers Sprockets. His knack for creating eccentric personas with fun catchphrases made him a fan favorite. These SNL parodies and more not only established his comedic brilliance but also set the stage for his Hollywood success!

Adam Sandler's stint on SNL was the stuff of legend. His offbeat skits, such as the now-iconic Chanukah Song and his outlandish Opera Man character, made him a beloved star. The Chanukah Song, with its  hilarious shout-outs to Jewish celebs, became an instant holiday classic, while Opera Man's over-the-top dramatic recaps of news events left fans in stitches. 

Sandler’s tenure on SNL was legendary, but it ended abruptly when he was fired in 1995. However, his comedic style proved unstoppable, and he soon became one of Hollywood’s biggest comedy stars

During the early '90s, Chris Rock was a new face on Saturday Night Live, introducing his keen sense of humor and his own brand of perspective to the stage. From 1990 until 1993, he was one of the Bad Boys of SNL along with other comedians such as Adam Sandler and David Spade. 

Rock's standout performances included impressions of figures like M.C. Hammer and Luther Campbell quickly making him a fan-favorite. His time at SNL not only perfected his craft but paved the way for his stand-up success and movie roles in New Jack City and Boomerang.

Robert Downey Jr.'s time on Saturday Night Live during the 1985-86 periods was short but memorable. The young actor, brimming with talent, got lost in a season that many regard as one of the show's most chaotic. His short-lived SNL stint did not define him, he quickly rebounded, starring in Less Than Zero before becoming a box office powerhouse with Iron Man. So, though his SNL stint was a short-lived blip, it did not define him but simply got warmed up for Hollywood domination!  

Before Julia Louis-Dreyfus became a sitcom icon, she was a college student taking on the fast-paced world of Saturday Night Live. At just 21, she joined the SNL cast in 1982, fresh out of Northwestern University. Though the early days were tough with her recalling in reports about feeling like her co-stars "hated" her— Louis-Dreyfus soon found her comedic legs alongside future legends such as Eddie Murphy.  

From awkward first rehearsals to unforgettable sketches her stint on SNL propelled her into the Hollywood star fans adore today.

Martin Short’s short but unforgettable run on Saturday Night Live left its mark with his quirky offbeat characters, like the wildly energetic Ed Grimley. His comedic timing caught the eye of audiences, setting the stage for a legendary career. Flash forward to the now, and Short's still creating waves, with him recently co-starring with Steve Martin and Selena Gomez in Only Murders in the Building. 

Whether on the SNL stage or cracking cases in a chic New York apartment, Martin Short's offbeat wit has kept him on top of his game!

After becoming a cast member of SNL in 1977, his offbeat sense of humor stole the limelight, but it was Ghostbusters (1984) that made him a household name. Murray later stunned audiences with his more serious, nuanced performance in Lost in Translation (2003), which earned him an Oscar nomination. 

From ghost-hunting to dramatic depth, Murray's skill at transitioning from comedy to drama made him a real cinematic chameleon. Who knew one SNL sketch could bring on such legendary success?

Eddie Murphy’s time on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984 was pure legend, with his classic characters leaving everyone in stitches. Among them, Buckwheat became a fan favorite—his hilarious twist on the classic Little Rascals character became a pop sensation. Murphy's masterstroke lay in making the mundane spectacular. This role, among his other SNL appearances, launched him into fame, proving how a dash creativity and a lot of humor can change the game.

Chevy Chase's brief single-season stint on Saturday Night Live left a lasting impression. As the first anchor of the iconic Weekend Update segment, his deadpan delivery became legendary. Although he did not stay long, his knack for humor caught Hollywood’s eye, and soon, he was headlining box-office hits like Caddyshack, where he played the coolly laid-back Ty Webb, and Memoirs of an Invisible Man, where he made invisibility funny. 

With his piercing wit and not-to-be-forgotten charisma, Chase quickly transitioned from an SNL's overnight sensation to a comedy movie icon! So, whether it is a wild impersonation or a memorable character, the SNL moments of stars set the stage for stardom, turning them into household names you cannot imagine Hollywood without!

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Now that you have seen the stars who owe it all to SNL, which actor’s rise surprised you the most? Drop your thoughts in the comments below!