Most successful former SNL cast member

[Cheriehoop]

Little known or well known Cliff Clavin fact, Shrek was originally to be played by another SNL cast member, Chris Farley. But he died before they could finish and they had to re-do with Myers.

Surprised no one mentioned Dan Aykroyd as at least honorable mention. He was often the #2 or #1A guy, but he played alongside every star in the 80s. Belushi, Murphy, Chevy, Murray, Candy, Hanks, and has been in countless movies. Most notably and quotably of course as Ray Zalinsky, auto parts king.

Akroyd is a really smart guy - he was the youngest member of SNL and was a writer/performer from SNL‘s premier in 1975. He won Emmy’s for both his writing and his performances.
This was his first solo performance as Julia Childs, the chef on SNL. Most skits were ensemble skits, not solo ones.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Julia Louis Dreyfus
Chevy Chase (ick, but he was the biggest star of the 80s)
Bill Murray
Eddie Murphy
Will Ferrell

Akroyd and Downey Jr feel like guys who were ‘secondary’ in high-grossing pictures. Akroyd secondary as a sidekick and Downey secondary to a big cast, a lot of fx, a costume role, etc.

 

[Day2]

Julia Louis Dreyfus
Chevy Chase (ick, but he was the biggest star of the 80s)
Bill Murray
Eddie Murphy
Will Ferrell

Akroyd and Downey Jr feel like guys who were ‘secondary’ in high-grossing pictures. Akroyd secondary as a sidekick and Downey secondary to a big cast, a lot of fx, a costume role, etc.

Downey was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood for a stretch. While the Avengers movies featured an ensemble, Iron Man was the face of the franchise.

 

[Zelda Zonk]

Downey was the highest-paid actor in Hollywood for a stretch. While the Avengers movies featured an ensemble, Iron Man was the face of the franchise.

Understood. I don’t think it’s ’fair‘ to weigh Box Office $ as the criteria with tentpole franchises. And I’m just suggesting that half the role is CGI, and no one does much to contribute to their characters in those Marvel pictures.

 

[CuseTG2003]

Steve Martin was not a cast member, but he has hosted 30+ times.

That’s crazy. Thanks!

 

[cayugacuse]

Gene Frenkle. RIP