Chicago’s vibrant improv and comedy scene has long been a vital talent pipeline for Saturday Night Live (SNL). Since the show’s inception in 1975, creator Lorne Michaels and his team have consistently scouted Chicago’s Second City, a renowned improv and sketch comedy theater, for fresh talent. Many of SNL’s most iconic cast members, including John Belushi, Bill Murray, Tina Fey, and Chris Farley, honed their comedic skills on Second City’s stages before making the leap to national fame. Chicago’s ImprovOlympic (iO) and The Annoyance Theatre have also contributed to this talent pool, nurturing comedians who excel in quick wit, improvisation, and sharp comedic timing — key ingredients for success on SNL’s live format.
SNL’s connection to Chicago runs deep, with the city often serving as a testing ground for future stars. Beyond training comedic performers, Chicago’s improv institutions teach essential skills such as character development, collaborative writing, and audience engagement — all of which translate seamlessly to SNL’s demanding schedule of weekly sketches and live performances. The alumni network from these institutions remains a powerful link between Chicago and SNL, with scouts frequently attending showcases and performances to identify promising talent. As a result, Chicago continues to be a breeding ground for the next generation of comedians who are ready to take their place on SNL’s storied stage.
Dan Akyroyd
Dan Aykroyd developed his comedic skills at The Second City in Chicago, preparing him for his role as one of the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players on Saturday Night Live (SNL). Debuting in 1975, Aykroyd was known for his versatility, delivering memorable impressions of Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter and creating iconic characters like Beldar Conehead and Elwood Blues of The Blues Brothers. One of his most unforgettable sketches was “Bass-O-Matic,” a parody of TV infomercials.
Dan Akyroyd - "Bass-O-Matic '76" sketch from Season 1 (1976)
John Belushi —“Cheeseburger” sketch from season 3 (1978)
John Belushi
John Belushi began his career at Chicago’s Second City. Born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Wheaton, Belushi’s early exposure to the city’s rich improv and theater scene helped him develop his bold, high-energy comedic style. His time at Second City honed his improvisational skills and led to his eventual casting as one of the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players on Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 1975. Belushi became known for his dynamic performances, including his portrayal of Jake Blues in The Blues Brothers alongside Dan Aykroyd and his unforgettable characters such as Samurai Futaba.
Bill Murray
Bill Murray joined Saturday Night Live in 1977, replacing Chevy Chase in the show’s second season. His sharp wit, impeccable timing, and ability to balance absurdity with genuine emotion quickly made him one of the show’s standout performers. Before SNL, Murray honed his comedic skills in Chicago, a city that played a crucial role in shaping his career. He was a key member of The Second City, the legendary improv theater that served as a training ground for many comedy greats. There, he developed his improvisational chops alongside future stars like John Belushi and Harold Ramis, mastering the art of spontaneous, character-driven humor.
Bill Murray - "Night Lounge Singer" Season 3 (1978)
Tim Kazurinsky - “I Married a Monkey” Season 6 (1981)
Tim Kazurinsky
Tim Kazurinsky’s journey to comedy stardom was deeply rooted in Chicago, where he found his voice at The Second City. Unlike many of his contemporaries, Kazurinsky didn’t initially set out to be a comedian—he started as an advertising copywriter before discovering improv. His time at Second City was transformative, allowing him to develop his signature style of intelligent, character-driven satire. This experience made him a natural fit for Saturday Night Live, where he was a cast member from 1981 to 1984. On SNL, Kazurinsky brought his Second City-honed skills to life, creating sharp, memorable characters like Dr. Jack Badofsky and excelling in sketch writing.
Mary Gross
Mary Gross, a Chicago native, trained at The Second City, where she developed her improvisational and character skills. In 1981, she joined Saturday Night Live during a major cast overhaul and remained until 1985. Her background at Second City prepared her for SNL’s fast-paced format, where she became known for her character work and impressions, including Nancy Reagan.
Mary Gross - “Sarcastic Nun” Season 9 (1983)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus- “Wrong Number Break-Up” Season 8 (1983)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Julia Louis-Dreyfus began her comedy career in Chicago, performing with The Practical Theatre Company, a small but influential troupe that caught the attention of Saturday Night Live producers. Her work there led to an invitation to join SNL in 1982, making her one of the youngest cast members at the time. While she was not an official member of The Second City, Chicago’s comedy scene, including her time with The Practical Theatre Company, was deeply intertwined with Second City, sharing many performers and comedic influences. During her three-season run on SNL (1982–1985), she struggled with limited creative input but still gained valuable experience that later shaped her career.
Joan Cusack
Joan Cusack, a Chicago native, studied improvisational comedy at The Second City, where she developed her skills alongside other rising talents in the city’s influential comedy scene. In 1985, she was cast on Saturday Night Live for its 11th season, becoming one of the few cast members with a strong Second City background. Though her time on SNL lasted only one season (1985–1986), she was one of the first women to be hired with a significant improv background, setting a precedent for future female comedians from Second City.
Joan Cusack - "Clichés" Season 11 (1985)
Mike Meyers- “Wayne's World: At the Movies” Season 19 (1993)
Mike Myers
Mike Myers began his career in comedy through improv, training at The Second City Toronto before moving to The Second City Chicago, where he further honed his skills in character work and sketch performance. In 1989, he joined Saturday Night Live as a featured player and was soon promoted to the main cast, where he remained until 1995. Myers portrayed enduring characters such as Wayne Campbell from Wayne’s World, which originated as a Canadian television sketch before being adapted for SNL and later becoming a successful film franchise.
Chris Farley
Chris Farley trained at The Second City in Chicago, where he was mentored by legendary improv teacher Del Close and became a standout performer in the theater’s mainstage cast. His high-energy physical comedy and larger-than-life presence quickly made him a star, leading to his recruitment by Saturday Night Live in 1990. Farley joined SNL as a featured player before becoming a full cast member, remaining on the show until 1995. His Second City background was evident in his fearless commitment to characters, particularly in sketches like "Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker," which originated at Second City before becoming one of his most famous SNL performances.
Chris Farley- "Van Down By The River" Season 18 (1993)
Horatio Sanz- “I Wish It Was Christmas Today” Season 26 (2000)
Horatio Sanz
Sanz honed his skills at Second City, where he gained a reputation for his energetic and often absurd sense of humor. In 1998, Sanz joined the cast of Saturday Night Live, becoming one of the first prominent Latino cast members. Known for his portrayal of characters like the exuberant news anchor and his memorable sketches with fellow cast members like Jimmy Fallon, Sanz’s time on SNL made him a key player in the show's late-'90s and early-2000s golden era.
Rachel Dratch
A graduate of Dartmouth College, Dratch moved to Chicago in the early '90s to pursue improv, where she became a key player in the renowned comedy scene. She joined the Second City and later The Improv Olympic (now known as iO Theater), where she honed her craft further and became a sought-after performer. In 1999, Dratch joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (SNL). Dratch was known for her comedic versatility, playing a wide range of characters, from quirky political figures to hilarious celebrities. Though she was only a cast member for a short time (1999-2006), her presence on the show was marked by her sharp character work and willingness to embrace the absurd, often making her sketches stand out.
Rachel Dratch- "Debbie Downer: Disney World" sketch from Season 29 (2004)
Tina Fey- “Katie Couric Interviews Sarah Palin” Season 34 (2008)
Tina Fey
After graduating from the University of Virginia in 1992 with a degree in drama, Fey moved to Chicago to pursue her passion for improv. She joined The Second City in 1994, where she co-wrote and performed in the revue "Paradigm Lost." In 1997, Fey's career took a significant turn when she joined the writing staff of "Saturday Night Live" (SNL). By 2000, she began performing on the show and became the first female head writer in SNL's history. Fey also co-anchored the "Weekend Update" segment alongside Jimmy Fallon and later Amy Poehler, earning acclaim for her sharp wit and engaging delivery.
Seth Meyers
After graduating from Northwestern University, Meyers immersed himself in Chicago's comedy community, studying under iO co-founder Charna Halpern. Meyers' time at iO Theater not only honed his improvisational skills but also connected him with fellow comedians who would become significant collaborators in his career. This foundation seamlessly transitioned to his role at Saturday Night Live (SNL). Joining the SNL cast in 2001, Meyers' sharp wit and improvisational prowess quickly became evident. He ascended to the position of head writer in 2006 and co-anchored the "Weekend Update" segment alongside Amy Poehler, later continuing solo.
Seth Meyers - "Really?!? With Seth, Amy and Tina" Season 35 (2010)
Fred Armisen- “New Girlfriend” Season 41 (2016)
Fred Armisen
Fred Armisen began his comedy career at The Second City in Chicago, where he trained in improvisational comedy before moving to New York and joining the Upright Citizens Brigade theater. While Armisen was not officially part of Second City's mainstage cast, his early improvisational experiences were heavily influenced by the Chicago comedy scene. In 2002, Armisen joined Saturday Night Live as a cast member. His ability to blend improv with scripted material made him one of SNL's most distinctive and consistent performers during his tenure.
Vanessa Bayer
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Bayer joined Second City and ImprovOlympic (now iO Theater). Her time in Chicago allowed her to develop her sharp comedic timing and character work, which ultimately helped her land a spot on SNL in 2010. Over her seven seasons on the show, she became known for her impeccable impressions, including Miley Cyrus, Rachel from Friends, and Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy, a recurring character that showcased her unique comedic style. Bayer’s bright, cheerful delivery and commitment to awkward humor made her a standout in both sketches and Weekend Update segments. Her performance earned her critical acclaim, and in 2017, she received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She left SNL at the end of the 2016–2017 season as the longest-tenured female cast member at the time, leaving behind a legacy of sharp character work and infectious enthusiasm.
Vanessa Bayer - "Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy" Season 39 (2013)
Cecily Strong- “Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation with on Christmas” Season 38 (2012)
Cecily Strong
Cecily Strong, a native of Illinois, began her comedy career at The Second City in Chicago, where she trained and performed with the theater's national touring company. In 2012, Strong joined Saturday Night Live as a featured player and quickly became a standout, known for her strong character work and impressions, including her memorable portrayal of Melania Trump. Strong was promoted to a full cast member in 2013 and became the longest-serving female cast members in SNL history, showcasing her ability to balance humor with emotion in a wide range of sketches.
Aidy Bryant
Aidy Bryant began her comedy career in Chicago, where she trained and performed at The Second City and with the Second City Touring Company. She joined Saturday Night Live in 2012 as a featured player. Bryant quickly became known for her impressive character work and impressions, including notable portrayals of figures like Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Over the course of her tenure, Bryant became a key player on SNL, recognized for her ability to balance humor with nuanced performances, and remained with the show until 2022.
Aidy Bryant - "Aidy B & Cardi B" Season 43 (2018)
Alex Moffat
Alex Moffat began his comedy career in Chicago, where he trained and performed at The Second City and with other local improv theaters. This foundation in improv led him to Saturday Night Live, where he joined the cast in 2016 as a featured player before being promoted to a full cast member. Moffat playing a wide range of characters, including his memorable portrayal of Joe Biden, which gained significant attention during the 2020 presidential election.
Alex Moffat “Guy Who Just Bought A Boat” Season 47 (2022)
Chris Redd
Chris Redd began his comedy career in Chicago, where he trained in improv and sketch at The Second City and iO Chicago, becoming a fixture in the city's vibrant comedy scene. His work in Chicago’s improv community, particularly his time at iO, helped shape his dynamic comedic style and improv skills. In 2017, Redd joined Saturday Night Live as a featured play. His most notable work on SNL included his impression of Kanye West, his portrayal of a variety of celebrity and political figures, and his ability to blend physical comedy with quick improvisation. Redd also showcased his versatility in recurring sketches like "Black Jeopardy!" and became known for his strong rapport with other cast members. Redd remained with SNL until 2022.
Chris Redd - "Seat Fillers" Season 47 (2022)
Michael Che “Colin Jost and Michael Che Swap Jokes” Season 49 (2024)
Michael Che
Michael Che began his comedy career in Chicago, where he was involved in the city’s vibrant improv scene, performing at The Second City and iO Chicago. His time in Chicago helped shape his sharp, observational comedy style and improv skills, which he later brought to Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 2014. Che joined the show as a writer and featured player, eventually becoming co-anchor of the Weekend Update segment alongside Colin Jost. Che's unique blend of humor, often addressing race, politics, and current events, brought a fresh dynamic to Weekend Update.