Kenan, Leslie, Eddie & More! Black Comedy Royalty Who Lit Up 'Saturday Night Live'
These hilarious comedians brought the heat and kept us in stitches on TV's iconic late-night show.
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Saturday Night Live is a comedic mainstay that has launched the careers of countless comedians and created decades of memorable characters.In honor of Kenan Thompson's 45th birthday, we are celebrating Black SNL alum who have made us laugh over the years. (Photo: Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Photo By (Photo by Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)
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Kenan Thompson joined the iconic show in 2003 and holds the record for the longest-tenured cast member in the show's history. Thompson is known for his impressions of celebrities such as Steve Harvey and Bill Cosby, as well as his original characters, including the high school student D'Andre Cole and the game show host Willie B. Hines. He has also appeared in several popular sketches, including the "What Up With That?" talk show and the "Black Jeopardy" game show. His longevity on the show is a testament to his comedic talent and his ability to adapt to changing trends and audiences. (Photo: Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
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For five years, Leslie Jones rocked Saturday Night Live from 2014 to 2019. She was known for her high-energy delivery and larger-than-life personality, as well as her impressions of celebrities such as Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. Jones brought a unique perspective to the show, using her experiences as a Black woman to comment on issues such as racism and sexism. Since then, she has appeared in Ghostbusters, Coming 2 America, and she is also beloved on social media for her witty takes on pop culture and politics.
Photo By (Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for ESSENCE)
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SNL’s first Black cast member was Garrett Morris from 1975 to 1980. He portrayed everyone from Idi Amin to Tina Turner to Sammy Davis Jr. The veteran actor remained active in TV with starring roles on Martin, The Jamie Foxx Show and the hit sitcom 2 Broke Girls. (Photo: Alan Singer/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
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The show’s superstar alum starred from 1980 to 1984, introducing classic impressions of Buckwheat, James Brown and Gumby. The Oscar nominee's TV stardom further translated into blockbuster film success with Beverly Hills Cop, Shrek, Nutty Professor and Dreamgirls. (Photo: Chris Haston/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
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Her typecasting as maids and hookers often-frustrated Saturday Night Live’s first Black female cast member From 1985-1986, Danitra Vance's recurring characters included "That Black Girl" (based on That Girl) and Diahann Carroll impressions. She later starred in the TV adaptation of The Colored Museum and the film Little Man Tate. Vance died of breast cancer in 1994 at the age of 40. (Photo: Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank)
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Damon Wayans - After Wayans' one season stint with the show from 1985 to 1986, his career blossomed. With brother Keenan Ivory Wayans, he starred in I'm Gonna Git You Sucka and the hit TV sketch comedy series In Living Color. Damon also enjoyed a New York Times bestselling book, Bootleg, films Mo' Money and Blankman, plus the hit TV sitcom My Wife and Kids.(Photo: Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank)
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Chris Rock appeared on the late night series from 1990 to 1993, but was famously fired. However, that didn't keep Rock down. His standup concerts made him a household name. Rock has had major success in television and film, and in 2014 he hosted the BET Awards. (Photo: Raymond Bonar/NBCU Photo Bank)
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Ellen Cleghorne, a cast member from 1991 to 1995, emerged as the queen of celebrity impressions, having spoofed Anita Hill, Dr. Dre, Natalie Cole, Mary J. Blige, Tina Turner and Whoopi Goldberg. She starred on her own sitcom Cleghorne! (with SNL alum Garrett Morris) and appeared in films Little Nicky, Kingdom Come and Old School. (Photo: Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank)
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Tim Meadows enjoyed the spotlight on SNL for nearly a decade from 1991 to 2000. He portrayed celebrities like O.J. Simpson, Tiger Woods and recurring character Leon Phelps, the basis for the 2000 film The Ladies Man. He also starred in the movies Mean Girls and Grownups. (Photo: Edie Baskin/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
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