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)