Actors Who Have Never Hosted SNL

As a longtime fan and observer of Hollywood, I must say that the careers of these talented individuals are nothing short of awe-inspiring. From Meryl Streep’s unparalleled versatility to Brad Pitt’s charm that transcends genres, it’s clear they’ve left an indelible mark on cinema.

Saturday Night Live is currently in its 50th season, providing a stage for fresh comedic talent as well as an avenue for established stars to showcase their recent ventures. Remarkably, some have returned as hosts as many as 17 times – such as Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin – while others like John Goodman, Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, and Woody Harrelson have hosted a substantial number of times. However, there are several acclaimed actors who, despite their long-standing careers, have yet to host Saturday Night Live. Here’s a peek at some of them; this list is by no means exhaustive.

It’s important to mention that if an actor has previously appeared as a guest star on the sketch comedy show, they were statistically less likely to be part of the group. This means no Jessica Alba or Mark Wahlberg, who both graced the screen there – Jessica in a Lonely Island video, and Mark alongside Andy Samberg mimicking an animal conversation. Both are worth checking out. Additionally, Bob Odenkirk from Better Call Saul was not included because of his writing stint on SNL from 1987 to 1991.

Some of the actors on our list might really surprise you, though. Starting with…

Sandra Bullock

In essence, Sandra Bullock dominated the romantic comedy scene during the ’90s and ’00s, similar to Julia Roberts in this genre. However, both these rom-com queens have not been chosen to host Saturday Night Live up until now.

It’s quite surprising that Bullock hasn’t been involved in this genre more often, considering her natural talent for it, even in simple comedies. On the other hand, Roberts has primarily focused on romantic comedies. However, Bullock did come close to venturing into this field when she appeared with Saturday Night Live veteran Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show.

Chris Evans

I’m just as much at home when handling comedic roles as I am with action, as evidenced by my past work like “Not Another Teen Comedy.” You’ll often find these two genres intertwined in my projects, such as DC’s “The Losers.” My portrayal of Johnny Storm in the “Fantastic Four” was already leaning towards comedy before I joined the cast of “Deadpool & Wolverine.” I even managed to slip in some laughs as Captain America in “Thor: The Dark World” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” and didn’t shy away from dark humor with “Knives Out.

Essentially, Evans is at ease with various styles of humor and even mocking his iconic, heroic persona from his eight-year stint in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It’s possible that Saturday Night Live might encourage him to do this. However, it’s important to note that he has previously expressed a reluctance towards hosting duties, stating that he’s avoided them “like the plague” (as reported by Variety).

Denzel Washington

Many Denzel Washington impersonations have graced Saturday Night Live, but the man himself has yet to make an appearance. Given that he’s a native of New York City and has been active in showbiz since the early ’80s, it’s somewhat unexpected. One might expect that when he first directed Antwone Fisher in 2002, NBC would have extended him an invitation to host.

Since he’s been discussing the idea of retiring, it might be that when the third Black Panther movie (where he’s confirmed to appear) is released, he could officially assume the role of host. For now, Jay Pharoah’s portrayal of him in “Give Us All Our Daughters Back” serves as the closest representation we have.

Morgan Freeman

Known for his tireless dedication to acting, Morgan Freeman has graced numerous films. Some of these films fall under the category of traditional comedies, like “Bruce Almighty“, while a significant number are genre-bending productions with a comical edge, such as “Going In Style“, “Red“, “The Bucket List“, and “The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard“.

An accomplished actor in every sense, Freeman has the versatility to take on any role – however, he’s never been the host for Saturday Night Live. Despite this, he did share the screen with the late Ernest Borgnine in a “What’s Up With That?” sketch. In essence, his part was simply to be present and enjoy the chaos that unfolded around him, but he was indeed part of it!

Cate Blanchett

Mostly, Cate Blanchett has chosen to focus on art-house dramas. However, there’s still a sprinkle of big-budget films like Thor: Ragnarok and Middle-earth adventures in her portfolio, so she hasn’t shied away from major productions. Even when the film Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull was released, you wouldn’t find her making an appearance on SNL, not even for a brief cameo.

She’s quite fond of comedy, as she has featured on “Family Guy” twice, “The Simpsons” once, and got some chuckles from the audience in Netflix’s “Don’t Look Up.” In fact, she put in her best effort in “Borderlands,” a film that aimed to be humorous, though it didn’t fare well at the box office.

Harrison Ford

Is Harrison Ford generally recognized for his action-packed and intense performances? Indeed, yet he has proven versatile by embracing comedic roles such as in the series “Shrinking” and maintaining a touch of humor throughout his iconic characters like Indiana Jones and Han Solo.

However, one clear indication of his potential excellence on SNL is the fact that he portrayed a werehyena in the decisive battle of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues – a role shared with other non-hosts such as Will Smith, Marion Cotillard, James Marsden, and Sacha Baron Cohen. If this doesn’t scream a versatile spirit, nothing does.

Tom Holland

Neither Tom Holland (who plays Spider-Man) nor Tom Hardy (Venom’s actor) has ever hosted SNL. It’s not too shocking that Hardy hasn’t hosted – it doesn’t seem like something he’d be comfortable with. However, for the energetic Holland, it could potentially be a good match.

Despite having starred in numerous Marvel Cinematic Universe films, including three standalone Spider-Man movies, it’s quite unexpected that he hasn’t appeared on a talk show to discuss his recent Spidey escapades. Given that there are more web-filled adventures ahead for him, it’s likely that his name will drop off this list as new ones take its place.

Allison Janney

Similar to her fellow “Mom” co-star Anna Faris, Allison Janney excels in comedic roles. Unlike Faris, however, Janney has never taken the helm as an “SNL” host. This comes as a surprise, particularly during the run of the popular sitcom “Mom”.

Jean Smart, another beloved and experienced actress, recently made her debut as the host of Saturday Night Live’s Season 50 premiere. It’s plausible that Ellen Pompeo might get the chance to host SNL sometime in the future. Maybe Pompeo could appear in a sketch alongside Heidi Gardner, who delivers an impressive impression, during one of her performances.

Al Pacino

It’s quite unusual that Al Pacino didn’t venture into the realm of sketch comedy during the ’90s, considering he was promoting “Scent of a Woman.” One of the most active and esteemed actors of his era or any other, Pacino showcases remarkable versatility in his roles. However, for the most part, he has chosen to keep his diverse talent out of the comedy genre.

On one occasion, he headlined a simple comedy, which was none other than “Jack and Jill” – a film widely considered to be the most dismal studio comedy of the 2010s. At this stage in his acting career, it seems extremely improbable that he will ever have the opportunity to host Saturday Night Live (SNL).

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt usually focuses on serious roles, but occasionally ventures into comedic parts as well. His portrayal of Lt. Aldo Raine in “Inglourious Basterds,” his appearance in “The Lost City,” and his performance in “Burn After Reading” are all quite humorous, with the latter being one of the funniest performances ever seen in a Coen brothers film.

Despite what’s been mentioned, Pitt isn’t completely new to Studio 8H; he has made two guest appearances. His first visit was back in 1998, where he acted as a therapist opposite David Spade. The second appearance was more recent, in the year 2020, when he portrayed Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Meryl Streep

As a die-hard fan, I must admit that Meryl Streep is often hailed as the greatest actress of her generation, and perhaps even of all time. Yet, despite this unparalleled talent, she hasn’t graced us with too many traditional comedy films. While she’s dabbled in rom-coms like “It’s Complicated” and genre-bending movies such as “Death Becomes Her,” there aren’t many films where her primary role is to make the audience laugh out loud. Interestingly, even Meryl’s “Death Becomes Her” co-star, Goldie Hawn, has never taken on the role of a comedy show host. The same goes for Goldie’s husband, Kurt Russell.

In terms of her knack for comedy, Hawn might seem more unexpected compared to Streep. However, it’s Streep who is most recognized for her versatility in playing diverse roles. The fact that Hawn hasn’t showcased this adaptability on Saturday Night Live (SNL) is puzzling. Since Streep likely won’t retire, there’s a chance she could host SNL someday, and it would be unexpected if she did. However, Streep thrives on taking on new challenges.

Zendaya

It’s highly plausible that, just like how Tom Holland is both her real-life and onscreen partner, Zendaya might host Saturday Night Live. Her acting skills and charm are undeniable, and she has proven to excel in dry, witty humor, a talent clearly displayed in the Spider-Man movies, notably Spider-Man: Homecoming.

It’s a great idea for Saturday Night Live to invite Zendaya for an episode if they can manage it when she has some free time. Her appearance could result in record-breaking ratings, which would be beneficial not just for her but also for NBC. However, with a new movie coming out every year, it’s likely that she will have promotional duties to fulfill regularly in the near future.

2024-11-30 20:10