5 Best Female SNL Cast Members, Ranked
From original cast members to modern stars, these women shaped Saturday Night Live in unforgettable ways. We picked the five biggest MVPs and ranked them.
Saturday Night Live has long been recognized for the exceptional talent of its cast, particularly its female members who have significantly contributed to the show's success. While there are many notable women who have graced Studio 8H, this article focuses on the five best female cast members who were integral to the series in various ways.
The first on the list is Cheri Oteri, who played a crucial role in the show's recovery in 1995 after a challenging Season 20. Oteri originated several beloved characters, such as the Spartans cheerleader Arianna and Morning Latte host Cass Van Rye, which helped bring new life to the show. Next is Jane Curtin, one of the show's original female cast members who helped define the genre by playing the straight woman in many sketches.
Curtin also became the first female Weekend Update host during the show's second year. Molly Shannon, who joined as a featured player in 1995, is another standout. Though she wasn't part of the incoming cast of newbies after the 1994 Season 20, Shannon's presence helped revive the show's popularity in the late 1990s. Shannon originated the iconic Mary Katherine Gallagher character, which became a breakout hit and marked the beginning of her mainstream success.
Lastly, Kate McKinnon, known for her extensive character work and celebrity impressions, is the modern face of SNL. With a 10-year run on the show, McKinnon developed many recurring characters, including Russian peasant woman Olya Povlatsky and cat lady Barbara DeDrew, and won two Emmy Awards for her supporting actress performances.
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