SNL Cast - Bios and Photos

Currently in its 33rd season, Saturday Night Live has become an American institution. Saturday Night Live, or SNL as it's known to many, has launched many a movie career including those of Bill Murray, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell and Mike Myers. Over the years, SNL's cast and writers have created a slew of memorable characters including The Church Lady, The Spartan Cheerleaders and Mary Catherine Gallagher.

Now there's a new brand of cast members that are creating new and memorable characters right now. SNL's current cast is filled both with seasoned veterans of the show and a few newer faces as well. Here's a look at the cast members who keep the show running.

Many people wonder if they can simply go and just "try out" for SNL.

For the most part, the answer is no. Potential featured players and cast members usually come recommended to Lorne Michaels via their stand-up work or work with groups such as Second City or The Groundlings. Though that's not always the case, it is fairly common.

Once a "good word" is put in for a particular comedian, their agent is contacted for a reel and based on those factors, it is decided whether or not they should audition. If the actor seems to be a good match, their agent will once again be contacted and an audition will be assigned.

According to Chris Parnell in an interview with IGN, the actor is flown out to NYC by the show and asked to audition before Lorne Michaels inside Studio 8H where the show is filmed. Once there, the actor is asked to perform three original characters and three impressions.

Former cast member Jimmy Fallon has stated in many interviews that he was told before going in that "Lorne never laughs," though apparently he made an exception for Fallon's Adam Sandler impression.

Once the actor has auditioned, they then must play the waiting game until they are contacted to appear on the show as a featured player. However, just because one becomes a featured player doesn't insure their status as a repertory player. Some famous faces who were featured, but never made it to cast member include:

• Al Franken (despite appearing on the series for 11 and a half seasons)
• Laurie Metcalf
• Damon Wayans
• Ben Stiller
• Sarah Silverman
• Jay Mohr

As of its 33rd season, there were no new featured players introduced into the series.

Fred Armisen joined SNL in 2002 as a featured player. A skilled drummer, Armisen made a splash as "Fericito," a Venezuelan comedian who plays the timbales and peppers his act with phrases such as "Ay Dios Mio!" and "I'm just keeding!" Since then, he has created a number of other regular characters including "Gunther Kelly," a singer who performs along with Will Forte's high pitched "aaahs" to songs about such obscure topics as tax preparation. In 2004, Armisen was added to the roster as a repertory player. This year marks his sixth season with the SNL cast.

Beginning as a musician, it wasn't until Armisen appeared in the short film, "Fred Armisen’s Guide to Music and South by Southwest," that his career took a turn toward comedy. Since first appearing on SNL, he has appeared in a number of films including "Anchorman," "Eurotrip" and Tenacious D's "The Pick of Destiny."

Before joining SNL, you were more likely to find Will Forte working behind the scenes instead of before the camera. A former member of "The Groundlings," Forte produced and wrote for a number of television series such as "That 70s Show," "Third Rock From The Sun" and "Late Night With David Letterman."

Will joined the SNL cast in 2002 and has since created a number of original characters including "The Falconer" and "Tim Calhoun," a nearly inaudible politician who relies heavily on index cards when speaking. This season is Forte's sixth season with SNL.

Bill Hader held a number of jobs within the industry before landing his gig with SNL. Working as a field agent for the MTV series, "Punk'd," he also did PA work while performing with Second City Los Angeles.

Being added to SNL as a Featured Player in 2005, Hader quickly became known for his impressions which included Al Pacino, Colonel Sanders and even Animal from The Muppets. Currently in his second season with SNL, Hader has also recently appeared in the hit film, "Superbad."

Darrell Hammond has the distinction of being the cast member who has been with SNL for the longest period of time: thirteen seasons. A master impressionist, Hammond quickly became known for his impression of Former President Bill Clinton. Along with Clinton, Hammond commands a vast repertoire of impressions including Al Gore, Sean Connery, Dick Chaney and even Al Sharpton.

Since making a splash on SNL, Hammond has performed for both President Clinton and President Bush and has appeared in a number of films and television series including "Law and Order: SVU."

Currently one of the head writers for SNL, Seth Meyers joined the series as a Featured Player in 2001. Since becoming a Repertory Player, Seth has carved out a niche for himself as both writer for the series and complimenting player to many a sketch. A Boston Red Sox fan, he quickly became known as the ranting Sox fan who would frequently appear on Weekend Update with Jimmy Fallon and Tina Fey.

After Tina Fey's departure, Seth took over Tina's place at the Weekend Update desk. This season marks Seth's seventh season with SNL.

Amy Poehler is among one of three cast members who has made the leap from Featured Player to Cast Member during their first season. Among her many credits are "Blades of Glory," "Mean Girls" and "Shrek The Third." Recently, she has created an animated series, "Mighty B," which will premiere on Nickelodeon in 2008.

Currently in her seventh season on SNL, Amy replaced Jimmy Fallon on Weekend Update after his exit from the series. She has also created a number of memorable characters including Amber - The One Legged Hypoglycemic and Netti Bo Dance, a regular at the Appalacian Emergency Room.

Amy is also married to actor Will Arnett who currently has a recurring role in Tina Fey's "30 Rock" and formerly played "George Bluth" on the Fox series, "Arrested Development."

Maya Rudolph has played a vast range of characters during her time on SNL. From her infamous portrayal of Donatella Versace to her original characters such as Glenda Goodwin host of "Second Time Around" who can never quite say Hyundai correctly.

Maya has a strong background in music as well and has both played keyboards and sung back-up for "The Rentals." Currently in her eight season with the series, Maya's vocal talents can be heard on the soundtrack for the film, "Duets."

Andy Samberg was one half of the viral video sensation, "Lazy Sunday," along with SNL cast member Chris Parnell. Along with Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer, the trio formed "The Lonely Island," filming digital shorts and uploading them to the internet for surfers to download.

The group brought this format to SNL with SNL's "Digital Shorts" which included "Lazy Sunday" as well as a number of other shorts including a hilarious look a young Chuck Norris. This is Samberg's third season with SNL.

This summer, Andy appeared in the comedy, "Hot Rod" in the title role of Rod Kimble.

Like Tina Fey before him, Jason Sudeikis began his stint at SNL as a writer before becoming a Featured Player in 2005. Perhaps best known for his impressions of Taylor Hicks, Jason later went onto a recurring role in Tina Fey's series, "30 Rock." Since his debut on SNL, he has impersonated a number of celebrities and politicians including Harry Connick, Jr., George W. Bush, Dane Cook and Simon Cowell.

Jason is currently working on a number of films including "The Ten" and "Bill." This is his third season with SNL.

When Kenan joined SNL, he was no stranger to television sketch comedy. Having got his start on Nickelodeon in the series "All That" and later on, "Kenan and Kel," Kenan came to SNL a seasoned TV performer.

Since his debut on SNL, he has went on to work on a number of films including taking on the title role of "Fat Albert" in the 2004 film. This season marks his fifth season with SNL. As his recurring character, DJ Dynasty Handbag of Deep House Dish would say, "Ooo wee T'Shane!"

Kristin Wiig made a splash on SNL with her original character, "The Target Lady." Portraying an oddball Target employee, The Target Lady regularly runs off to find items that her customers bring up to the counter to purchase for herself later. Among her other SNL characters are one half of "The A-Holes" and a stellar impression of Megan Mullaly as Karen Walker.

A former member of "The Groundlings," Kristin joined SNL in 2005. Since then, she has appeared in "Knocked Up," "Unaccompanied Minors" and the upcoming "The Brothers Solomon." This is her third season with SNL.