For many celebrities, hosting Saturday Night Live is like a dream come true. It’s an opportunity to showcase their latest work and step out of their comfort zone. SNL is unlike any other form of entertainment with its live, fast-paced, and downright absurd nature. Even if some hosts have experience with sketch comedy, for many it’s a thrilling new challenge.
The most memorable SNL hosts are the ones who aren’t afraid to poke fun at themselves. They use the platform to playfully mock their projects, personal lives, and quirky personalities. They kick things off with a hilarious monologue that immediately gets them in on the joke. Let’s take a look at a few actors who fully embraced being the target of jokes on SNL. Get ready to be entertained!
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1. Adam Driver Lampooned His Entire Personality For A Monologue
When Adam Driver hosted Saturday Night Live in January 2020, it came after his breakout role as heartthrob Adam Sackler on Girls, his appearances in various indie hits, and just weeks after Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker premiered. Through all of this, Driver has developed a reputation for his intense and brooding persona as an actor.
During his monologue, he started off by playfully poking fun at the seriousness of his craft. He humorously mentioned, “I was a little sad to say goodbye to 2019 because I’ve acted so much and so hard. I was yelling… I cried, I punched, I sang. All four emotions.” This lighthearted comment showcased his ability to laugh at himself.
In addition to his monologue, Driver also took part in an Undercover Boss parody as Kylo Ren. This further demonstrated his willingness to embrace self-mockery and showcased his versatility as an actor.
2. Jeremy Renner Was Totally Cool To Clown On Hawkeye
It’s no secret that Hawkeye often gets underestimated among the Avengers. While his teammates possess extraordinary superpowers and high-tech gadgets, Hawkeye’s skill lies in his archery. But hey, sometimes being great with a bow and arrow is all you really need, right?
During his hosting gig on Saturday Night Live in November 2012, Jeremy Renner took a lighthearted jab at Hawkeye’s less-than-super persona. In a sketch called “Hawkeye Disappoints the Avengers,” Hawkeye hilariously runs out of arrows during an alien attack and ends up being used as a weapon by the Hulk. It’s all in good fun, of course.
3. Willem Dafoe Went To Town On His ‘Expressive Face’
In early 2022, the legendary Willem Dafoe took the reins as the host of Saturday Night Live. Opening his monologue, he took a trip down memory lane, sharing anecdotes from his early days in the Big Apple. But it wasn’t long before he delved into what he’s undoubtedly known for: his incredibly expressive face. Trust me, it’s a face you won’t forget anytime soon.
During his monologue, Dafoe fearlessly proclaimed that compared to him, acclaimed actors like Al Pacino and Nicolas Cage come across as subtle performers. With a mischievous grin, he even quipped that many people have suggested he should portray the Joker. Ah, the joys of being reminded of one’s potential to embody a sociopath, right?
4. Robert Downey Jr. Made Light Of His Controversial Antics
Many years before Iron Man began the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and around ten years after his brief time as a cast member, Robert Downey Jr. had the opportunity to host Saturday Night Live in late 1996. At that time, Downey Jr. was widely known for his personal struggles and had been arrested multiple times earlier that year for drug possession.
Instead of avoiding the matter, Downey Jr. bravely tackled it head-on during his monologue. He started off by humorously downplaying the situation as an “uneventful summer” and proceeded to share some silly slides depicting what supposedly occurred during his so-called summer vacation.
5. Garth Brooks Made Fun Of Pretty Much Every Country Music Star
Garth Brooks took on the role of both host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live in February 1998. During one sketch titled “Garth Brooks, Real Cowboy,” he joined forces with Will Ferrell, Tim Meadows, and Jim Breuer. In this hilarious skit, Brooks portrayed a fictionalized version of himself attempting to blend in with three genuine cowboys.
The sketch began with Brooks expressing his admiration for his wireless headset and a colossal 20 ft. jumbo screen. Adding a touch of self-deprecating humor, he then jokingly complained about how laser-light shows tend to dry out his skin. As the skit progressed, Brooks continued to crack more jokes about his concert cowboy persona, intentionally undermining his image as an authentic country-western cowboy.
6. Adam Sandler Was Really Comfortable Making Fun Of The Fact He Got Fired From ‘SNL’
Adam Sandler first appeared on Saturday Night Live (SNL) at the young age of 23. However, after five years on the show, he and Chris Farley were let go in 1995 due to declining ratings. Surprisingly, this setback didn’t hinder Sandler’s career. Soon after, he starred in beloved ’90s classics such as Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore.
Fast forward to February 2019, when Sandler made a grand return to SNL after 25 years since his departure. As expected from the comedic genius, he decided to make his firing the focal point of his monologue. In true Adam Sandler style, he even serenaded the audience with a song about the experience. To add to the nostalgia, Chris Rock, another SNL alum who had been fired in the 1990s, joined Sandler on stage to sing about his own firing.
During this memorable monologue, Sandler also humorously mentioned that he had managed to accumulate a staggering $4 billion at the box office. It’s safe to say that his firing from SNL didn’t hinder his success in the slightest.
7. Nic Cage Poked Fun At His Whole Persona
Andy Samberg became well-known for his portrayal of Nicolas Cage, one of his most popular characters during his time on the show. Samberg would hilariously imitate the famously high-energy actor in a recurring “Weekend Update” segment titled “Get in the Cage with Nicolas Cage.” In these segments, Samberg, in his Cage persona, would engage in discussions about acting with other famous actors.
Then, to the delight of fans, something extraordinary happened in 2013. Nicolas Cage himself made a surprise appearance on the show and joined Samberg in the segment. The best part? Cage was dressed exactly like Samberg’s exaggerated version of him. This was yet another instance where a celebrity appeared alongside their SNL look-alike, following in the footsteps of DeNiro and others.
During the segment, Cage amusingly spent most of his time poking fun at Samberg’s impression of him. It was a playful and light-hearted interaction between the two, adding to the grand tradition of SNL creating these memorable moments with celebrity doppelgangers.
8. Ashton Kutcher And Demi Moore Made Fun Of Their Age Difference
Many celebrities have made guest appearances on Saturday Night Live while simultaneously being in the spotlight of tabloid gossip. That was certainly the case in 2005 when Ashton Kutcher, known for his role in That ’70s Show, hosted the show. Interestingly, his then-partner Demi Moore decided to get in on the fun as well.
Kutcher and Moore had started dating two years prior, when he was 25 and she was 40, and they would tie the knot later that same year. Rather than shying away from the public’s curiosity, Kutcher chose to address the situation directly in his opening monologue. And to everyone’s surprise, he even invited Moore to join him on stage.
Moore’s enthusiasm for the skit was evident as she fully committed to the joke by dressing up in granny attire. It was a light-hearted and self-aware moment that showcased the couple’s ability to have fun with their public image.
9. Christian Slater Made Fun Of His Inherent Jack Nicholson-ness
Christian Slater has often been compared to Jack Nicholson due to their similar mannerisms. In fact, Slater himself confessed to drawing inspiration from Nicholson while shooting the movie Heathers. He didn’t shy away from addressing this comparison during his hosting gig on Saturday Night Live in October 1991.
During his monologue, Slater denied imitating Nicholson, but things quickly took an unexpected twist. The entire studio, including Lorne Michaels, got completely engrossed in the 1991 World Series between the Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins. Surprisingly, everyone in the studio was rooting for the Braves, causing a momentary distraction from the original topic.
10. Ryan Gosling Kept Talking In A New York Accent To Seem ‘Tough’ – Until He Was Reminded He’s Canadian
In 2015, during his hosting gig on SNL, Ryan Gosling put on a brash New York accent, expressing his joy at being back in his supposed hometown. He nostalgically mentioned childhood memories like the tree in Rockefeller Center, the Rockettes, and grabbing a slice of pizza with his buddies. The crowd applauded when he gave a shout-out to Brooklyn. However, his Canadian heritage was questioned by cast member Cecily Strong, who raised her hand and asked, “Aren’t you from Canada?”
Gosling playfully denied it for a while, but his act was interrupted by former SNL cast member and fellow Ontario native Mike Myers. Myers, donning a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, confronted Gosling with a tough question: “Are you ashamed to be Canadian?” Finally, Gosling admitted his Canadian roots and claimed to be extremely proud of them. He explained that he had adopted the tough-guy New York persona because people just wouldn’t accept a cool, dramatic actor from Canada. To mend the situation, Gosling and Myers sang a “traditional Canadian Christmas song,” and Gosling apologized to Myers for rejecting his roots. Myers, surprised, asked, “…sorry?” Gosling, in a Canadian accent, clarified, “sooor-ey.”