SNL's Best Cast Members.

This is not a list of favorites or who I think is the funniest in SNL's history. This is a list of the cast who best fit SNL, the sketch universe, and the ensembles of the show. This has nothing to do with career afterwards, just strictly time and impact on SNL. Realizing that there are so many to pick from and that I'm putting them in rank order I expect heavy disagreement.

HONORABLE MENTION-Gilda Radnor,Eddie Murphy,Kevin Nealon,Cheri Oteri,Darrell Hammond,Tim Meadows

10-Amy Poehler-hard to see it now, but I think time will tell.

9-Dana Carvey-a semi one man show, but impressions and cultural impact were huge

8-Bill Murray-seemed like his span was too short, but hard to find a better comedy miner.

7-Molly Shannon-prob wouldn't be a top of the head pick, but is one of the best sketch character comedians.

6-Dan Ackroyd-true emsemble member,took backseat a lot of the time,but he could play any character and with a huge amount of integrity.He is so serious selling the Bass-o-matic.

5.Chris Farley-his energy and the shows were a perfect marriage.

4.Mike Myers-like Carvey sometimes a one man show,but showed a range of comic stylings and characters.

3.Will Ferrell-carried SNL out from duldrums on the turn of the century, and was just insane funny.a cast member that the writers just loved to write for and u can tell in the amount of things he was in. not many cast members have two volumes of best of.

2.John Belushi-was almost overshadowed in the first year, but impact on that show,and years following in terms of what he created and influence will go on for a long time. So involved in whatever he was doing. I really thought he wanted to feed fingertips to wolverines.

1.Phil Hartman-the everyman. everystyle of comedy,genres,character,voices,he could do anything. didn't have the catchphrase or posters on bedroom wall characters,but i think he is the best cast member of SNL.