15 Famous Stars Who Tried But Never Made It to ‘SNL’

Breaking into the cast of Saturday Night Live is a dream for many comedians, but even some of Hollywood’s brightest and most hilarious stars have found themselves on the outside looking in. From charismatic stand-up regulars and scene-stealing TV actors to blockbuster movie talents, some of the funniest minds in entertainment never got the SNL spotlight. Discover which of your favorite comedy icons auditioned — or simply never made the cut — and learn about their unique journeys beyond Studio 8H.

Kevin Hart

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Kevin Hart may be one of the world’s top comedians and a box office heavyweight, yet SNL never became his launching pad. Hart auditioned for a part in the show in 2001 but was not cast, as reported by Mental Floss. Despite his massive influence in both stand-up and comedic films, the late-night stage always eluded him. Hart’s unmatched energy and signature charm found a home on other stages, making him an icon even without an SNL breakthrough.

Kathy Griffin

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Kathy Griffin‘s sharp wit and fearless humor made her a household name, but it never brought her an SNL gig. Known for her biting celebrity commentary and Emmy-winning specials, Griffin won two Primetime Emmy Awards for her hit reality series, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List, per Griffin’s official website. Griffin built her own path with a fiercely devoted fanbase. She is proof that you can push comedy boundaries and still command the spotlight without ever stepping onto Studio 8H.

Zach Galifianakis

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Zach Galifianakis is famous for his quirky, deadpan delivery and surreal comedic style. Despite later hosting and making memorable cameos, he never secured a spot as a cast member. Galifianakis hosted Saturday Night Live for the third time on May 4, 2013, according to NBC. He instead gained fame through his own irreverent creations and standout film roles, cementing his place in comedy history outside SNL‘s structure.

Aubrey Plaza

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With her singular deadpan and unpredictable comedic presence, Aubrey Plaza seemed destined for SNL. She worked as an NBC page during college and interned with SNL in 2004 and 2005, and later told Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show about her failed SNL audition early in her career, as reported by Boston.com. Her quirky performances on Parks and Recreation and acclaimed film roles have more than made up for her SNL near miss. Plaza’s career thrives on her own distinct comedic voice.

Geena Davis

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Geena Davis, an Oscar winner and versatile actress, brings comedic flair to the big screen but never became part of the SNL family. Davis received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Accidental Tourist. She’s made followers laugh and inspired on her own terms in film and TV. Her path highlights how the biggest stages aren’t always the only outlets for comedic talent.

Jordan Peele

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Jordan Peele‘s genius for blending comedy and horror captivated Hollywood, yet Saturday Night Live passed him by. Instead, he gained fame with the acclaimed sketch show Key & Peele, which was created by Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele for Comedy Central and ran from 2012 to 2015. Peele’s journey is a testament to creating your own opportunities beyond the SNL audition room.

Steve Carell

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Steve Carell‘s connection to Saturday Night Live is one comedy fans still debate — SNL creator Lorne Michaels has publicly stated that Carell auditioned, while Carell himself has disputed the story, as reported by Comic Basics. He went on to define comedic television with The Office and excel in dramatic roles and hit comedies. Carell’s wide-ranging career is proof that missing SNL isn’t the end — it can actually be the beginning of a different kind of stardom.

Stephen Colbert

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Stephen Colbert‘s razor-sharp satire found a home on The Daily Show and later his own series, yet SNL never added him to their ranks. Colbert auditioned for SNL in 1992 and later went on to become The Daily Show‘s longest-serving correspondent before getting his own show, The Colbert Report, according to Britannica. Today, Colbert has become a late-night institution on his own merits.

Jim Carrey

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One of the most successful comedic actors ever, Jim Carrey auditioned for SNL but wasn’t chosen as a regular. Afterward, from 1990 to 1994 Carrey was a regular cast member of the ensemble comedy television series In Living Color, which helped launch his career, as reported by Britannica. His career was subsequently filled with blockbuster hits and critical acclaim for both comic and dramatic roles. Carrey’s audition may have been a no, but his legacy is a resounding yes.

Jennifer Coolidge

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Jennifer Coolidge‘s singular voice and hilarious roles from Legally Blonde to The White Lotus didn’t come via SNL, but she’s become a comedy powerhouse on her own. Coolidge won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance as Tanya McQuoid on HBO’s The White Lotus — her second win for the series. Coolidge’s influence continues to grow, proving her talent needs no SNL stamp.

David Cross

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David Cross is beloved for his boundary-pushing comedy and cult hit shows like Mr. Show, but SNL was never his home turf. Mr. Show with Bob and David aired on HBO from November 3, 1995, to December 28, 1998, and remains a highly influential piece of American sketch comedy. Cross represents a generation redefining sketch comedy far outside the SNL bubble.

John Goodman

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Although John Goodman has hosted SNL many times and become a fan favorite, he never joined as a main cast member. Goodman hosted NBC’s Saturday Night Live 13 times between 1989 and 2013, with only Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin hosting the show more, as reported by Men’s Journal. Goodman’s comic legacy stretches far beyond any single show.

Jack McBrayer

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Jack McBrayer charmed audiences as the ever-pleasant Kenneth on 30 Rock, yet he never joined the SNL lineup. McBrayer starred as Kenneth Parcell on all seven seasons of the hit NBC sitcom 30 Rock, which ran from 2006 to 2013. McBrayer has built his own sunny legacy, showing that likability goes a long way without SNL‘s stamp.

Ellie Kemper

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Ellie Kemper‘s endearing awkwardness and radiant comedic timing light up any screen, but not the SNL stage. In August 2008, she auditioned for a spot on Saturday Night Live but was not cast, as reported by Variety. Instead, Kemper wowed America on The Office and as the title character in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, finding her place as a comedy darling elsewhere. Her bubbly personality made her a star without ever needing an SNL audition.

Lisa Kudrow

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Lisa Kudrow is best known for her beloved role on Friends and a long roster of memorable comic work, but she wasn’t among SNL‘s chosen cast. Kudrow tried out for Saturday Night Live in 1990 but was passed over, and went on to win a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1998 for her role as Phoebe Buffay on Friends, according to Newsweek. Kudrow proves you don’t need Saturday night to become a sitcom icon.

This story 15 Famous Stars Who Tried But Never Made It to ‘SNL’ first appeared on InTouch Weekly. Follow InTouch Weekly on Yahoo so you don’t miss what’s coming next.