20 Actors You Didn’t Know Were On SNL (Or Managed To Forget)

Laurie Metcalf worked as a featured player for Season 6 (1980-1981). Unfortunately, Metcalf only appeared in one episode during a season plagued by writer’s strikes and a major management change from producer Jean Doumanian to executive Dick Ebersol.

In her short film skit “Laurie Has a Story,” Metcalf plays a confused dinner party attendee who never knows the right time to continue her interrupted story - despite encouragement from co-star Catherine O’Hara's character. Metcalf went on to star in TV hit Roseanne, and earn an Academy Award nomination for her performance in Ladybird.

Damon Wayans served as a featured player during Season 11 (1985-1986). Some of his most memorable characters include Little Richard and a Seinfeld-esque standup comedian who doesn't understand the concept of daylight savings time.

As the season progressed, Wayans grew increasingly frustrated due to creative differences with the show’s writers. He eventually snapped, going off-book as a background police character he decided to give a flamboyant edge. As improv is a no-no on SNL, Wayans was fired after the show. Still, the comedian returned to perform standup on the season finale that year. And a short time later, he made a name for himself as a founding cast member on In Living Color.

Robert Downey Jr. served as an SNL cast member during Season 11 (1985-1986). His biggest turn in the Studio 8H spotlight came from his infamous “Suitcase Boy” sketch, where a self-described “confrontational monologue” about life as a found piece of luggage doesn't go as planned.

Downey's one-season stint on the show ended with a massive recasting following poor reviews. Only two cast members returned, and RDJ was not one of them. After a rough time battling drug addiction, Downey managed to bounce back and become one of Hollywood’s most successful film stars, working with David Fincher in Zodiac and becoming the centerpiece of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Iron Man. 

Ben Stiller served as a featured player on Season 14 (1988-1989). Stiller came in mid-season, along with Mike Meyers, and appeared in only four episodes before leaving the show. He cited creative differences as his reason for his departure. Stiller managed to get a fair amount of screen time in his four episodes, though, including a Weekend Update segment with Meyers where the pair gave a very hesitant review of the film Rain Man.

After SNL, Stiller became a major comedic film star, director, and producer, with hits like Zoolander, Tropic Thunder, and Meet the Parents under his belt.

Joan Cusack worked as a cast member during Season 11 (1985-1986). At the time, audiences knew Cusack because of a small role in Sixteen Candles, and thanks to her brother, '80s heartthrob John Cusack. Her campy sense of humor helped punch up the traditionally reserved female characters she played on the show, including a knick-knack store clerk in the "Cute Shop" sketch.

Most of the performers from Season 11, including Cusack, didn't return for Season 12. After SNL, Cusack received two Best Supporting Actress Academy Awards nominations - one for Working Girl and the other for In & Out.

David Koechner served as a cast member during Season 21 (1995-1996). While Koechner only lasted a single season, he produced recurring character Gerald “T. Bone” Tibbins: a well-intentioned but intrusive executioner and hospital orderly. Despite creating several successful characters, Koechner didn't continue to the next season when executives got skittish over low ratings.

Since his SNL days, Koechner has co-starred in cult hits like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Snakes on a Plane, along with appearing in popular shows like The Office.