Stars Who Expertly Portrayed Politicians onSaturday Night Live

Mar. 15, 2025

Tina Fey, Alec Baldwin and Maya Rudolph.Photo:Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty(2); Will Heath/NBC

Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty(2); Will Heath/NBC

Election years can be stressful. However, we can always count onSaturday Night Liveto bring some levity in the midst of all the hard politics.The hit NBC sketch show has managed to snag some of the best actors and actresses to portray politicians in the history of its 50 years. FromWill Ferrell’s impression ofGeorge W. BushtoTina Fey’s take onSarah Palin— for which she won anEmmy— the show has always managed to book comedians who can turn some shocking political moments into funny bits.Stars such asDana Carvey,Kate McKinnonandAlec Baldwinhave also lent their talents to satire our nation’s top leaders.Below, see the comedians who have expertly portrayed politicians onSaturday Night Live.

Election years can be stressful. However, we can always count onSaturday Night Liveto bring some levity in the midst of all the hard politics.

The hit NBC sketch show has managed to snag some of the best actors and actresses to portray politicians in the history of its 50 years. FromWill Ferrell’s impression ofGeorge W. BushtoTina Fey’s take onSarah Palin— for which she won anEmmy— the show has always managed to book comedians who can turn some shocking political moments into funny bits.

Stars such asDana Carvey,Kate McKinnonandAlec Baldwinhave also lent their talents to satire our nation’s top leaders.

Below, see the comedians who have expertly portrayed politicians onSaturday Night Live.

01of 18Tina Fey as Sarah PalinTina Fey as Sarah Palin.Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Ross D Franklin/AP/ShutterstockWho better to start with than the woman who won an Emmy award for her portrayal ofSarah Palin?Tina Fey played the former governor of Alaska when she ran for vice president alongside SenatorJohn McCainduring the 2008 presidential campaign.Speaking on whether or not she thought the famed impression was swaying peoples' perception of Palin, Fey toldDavid Letterman, “I can’t even sway people to watch30 Rock.““I can’t even sway my kid to use the potty,” she joked. “I can’t sway anybody, but there’s certainly been a strange reaction to it. I’ve [also] seen people who say, ‘Oh, no, you’re helping them.’ "

01of 18

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin

Tina Fey as Sarah Palin.Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Ross D Franklin/AP/Shutterstock

Who better to start with than the woman who won an Emmy award for her portrayal ofSarah Palin?

Tina Fey played the former governor of Alaska when she ran for vice president alongside SenatorJohn McCainduring the 2008 presidential campaign.

Speaking on whether or not she thought the famed impression was swaying peoples' perception of Palin, Fey toldDavid Letterman, “I can’t even sway people to watch30 Rock.”

“I can’t even sway my kid to use the potty,” she joked. “I can’t sway anybody, but there’s certainly been a strange reaction to it. I’ve [also] seen people who say, ‘Oh, no, you’re helping them.’ "

02of 18

Will Ferrell as George W. Bush

Will Ferrell as George Bush.Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty;  Brooks Kraft/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty;  Brooks Kraft/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty

Will Ferrell ran so Tina Fey could fly.

Prior to the Palin impression, perhaps no other impersonation had garnered as much fanfare asWill Ferrell’s take onGeorge W. Bush.

“Lorne Michaels told my dad, ‘You never said that,’ and he said, ‘What? I spent all those years [thinking I’d said it],’ ” Jenna said, “But you knew all along.”

“Oh, I knew all along,” Ferrell revealed before offering a light apology. “I’m sorry, Mr. President,” he said.

03of 18Alec Baldwin as Donald TrumpAlec Baldwin as Donald Trump.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/GettyAlec Baldwinfirst went viral for his impression ofDonald Trumpwhen he stepped into the role back in 2016. The30 Rockactor went on to impersonate the former president several times following that Oct. 2, 2016, season 42 opener.“Lorne came to me and said, ‘Do the Trump thing,’ and we thought we were gonna do it for three episodes in the fall [thinking] there was no way he was gonna win,” Baldwintold Jimmy Fallonwhile on his show in 2018. “And I remember laying in bed saying, ‘Oh, no,'” the actor said of the moment he realized he’d have to do the impression for longer.Like Fey, Alec Baldwin also won an Emmy for his impersonation.

03of 18

Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump

Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Alec Baldwinfirst went viral for his impression ofDonald Trumpwhen he stepped into the role back in 2016. The30 Rockactor went on to impersonate the former president several times following that Oct. 2, 2016, season 42 opener.

“Lorne came to me and said, ‘Do the Trump thing,’ and we thought we were gonna do it for three episodes in the fall [thinking] there was no way he was gonna win,” Baldwintold Jimmy Fallonwhile on his show in 2018. “And I remember laying in bed saying, ‘Oh, no,'” the actor said of the moment he realized he’d have to do the impression for longer.

Like Fey, Alec Baldwin also won an Emmy for his impersonation.

04of 18

Amy Poehler and Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton

Amy Poehler and Kate McKinnon, Hillary Clinton.Dana Edelson/NBCUniversal via Getty (2); Cindy Ord/Getty

Dana Edelson/NBCUniversal via Getty (2); Cindy Ord/Getty

Amy Poehlerfirst played the powerhouse politician in the 2008 to 2009 season, opposite Fey’s Sarah Palin. She even had the opportunity to do her impression in front of the future secretary of state as the two opened aMarch 1, 2008, episode together.

Poehler passed the baton toKate McKinnon, who played Clinton during the 2014 to 2015 season. She too, got to do her impressionin front of Clintonwhen they both visited theEllen Showback in 2016.

05of 18

Kate McKinnon as Jeff Sessions

06of 18Kate McKinnon as Rudy GiulianiKate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani.Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Roy Rochlin/GettyIn 2020, McKinnon also stepped into Rudy Giuliani’s shoes, a role which she told fellowSNLalumSeth Meyersoddlycame naturally to her.

06of 18

Kate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani

Kate McKinnon as Rudy Giuliani.Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Roy Rochlin/Getty

Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Roy Rochlin/Getty

In 2020, McKinnon also stepped into Rudy Giuliani’s shoes, a role which she told fellowSNLalumSeth Meyersoddlycame naturally to her.

07of 18Kate McKinnon as Elizabeth WarrenKate McKinnon as Elizabeth Warren.Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/GettyAnother impression in Kate McKinnon’s impressive Rolodex of characters was none other than Massachusetts Sen.Elizabeth Warren, who ran for president in the 2020 Democratic primaries.It seems Warren was completely fine being parodied on the show, as she joined McKinnon andparticipated in the viral “Flip the Switch” challengeback in 2020.

07of 18

Kate McKinnon as Elizabeth Warren

Kate McKinnon as Elizabeth Warren.Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Another impression in Kate McKinnon’s impressive Rolodex of characters was none other than Massachusetts Sen.Elizabeth Warren, who ran for president in the 2020 Democratic primaries.

It seems Warren was completely fine being parodied on the show, as she joined McKinnon andparticipated in the viral “Flip the Switch” challengeback in 2020.

08of 18Melissa McCarthy as Sean SpicerMelissa McCarthy, Sean Spicer.Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/GettyMelissa McCarthyhad a hilarious turn playing Trump’s former White House press secretary Sean Spicer.And while theBridesmaidsstar’s impression got the viewers going, Spicer had some notes at the time.While referring to a Feb. 5, 2017, episode in which McCarthy brought out silly props in order to satire her impression of a Spicer-led White House press conference, the subject stated he felt McCarthy “could dial back” a bit and that she “needs to slow down on the gum chewing” as there were “way too many pieces in there,“CBS News reported.

08of 18

Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer

Melissa McCarthy, Sean Spicer.Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Melissa McCarthyhad a hilarious turn playing Trump’s former White House press secretary Sean Spicer.

And while theBridesmaidsstar’s impression got the viewers going, Spicer had some notes at the time.

While referring to a Feb. 5, 2017, episode in which McCarthy brought out silly props in order to satire her impression of a Spicer-led White House press conference, the subject stated he felt McCarthy “could dial back” a bit and that she “needs to slow down on the gum chewing” as there were “way too many pieces in there,“CBS News reported.

09of 18Larry David as Bernie SandersLarry David as Bernie Sanders.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Jenny Anderson/Disney General Entertainment Content via GettyLarry Davidmade his return toSNLjust in time to playBernie Sanders.TheCurb Your Enthusiasmcreator left his position as writer on the show back in 1984 and wouldn’t come back again until 2016. He debuted hisfamed impressionof the Vermont senator during that hosting stint.While fans always noted that their resemblance was uncanny, David found out he was actuallyrelated to the former presidential candidateduring an episode of the PBS showFinding Your Roots.

09of 18

Larry David as Bernie Sanders

Larry David as Bernie Sanders.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Jenny Anderson/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Jenny Anderson/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Larry Davidmade his return toSNLjust in time to playBernie Sanders.

TheCurb Your Enthusiasmcreator left his position as writer on the show back in 1984 and wouldn’t come back again until 2016. He debuted hisfamed impressionof the Vermont senator during that hosting stint.

While fans always noted that their resemblance was uncanny, David found out he was actuallyrelated to the former presidential candidateduring an episode of the PBS showFinding Your Roots.

10of 18Phil Hartman and Darrell Hammond as Bill ClintonPhil Hartman and Darrell Hammond as Bill Clinton.Gerry Goodstein/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty; Andrew Chin/GettyPhil Hartmanplayed 42nd U.S. PresidentBill Clintonin the early ’90s, between 1992 to 1994. One of his sketches, titled “President Bill Clinton at McDonald’s’” remains one of the most popular from the show. But while fans love the skit, Hartman told David Letterman, “I found out the hard way that he really doesn’t like what I do,”Salon reported.It seems Darrell Hammond had better luck with Clinton as he recalled the former president tapping him to play a clone in a sketch at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.“I’m in the Oval Office in the full Clinton drag with the putty nose, the fake nose, the full thing,” Hammond said while on theHoward Stern Showback in 2001.“He wanted me to play a clone in a sketch — with him — that he was doing for the Washington Correspondents' Dinner,” he explained. He went on to reveal that Clinton actually sought his counsel when writing the funny bits of his speech.

10of 18

Phil Hartman and Darrell Hammond as Bill Clinton

Phil Hartman and Darrell Hammond as Bill Clinton.Gerry Goodstein/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty; Andrew Chin/Getty

Gerry Goodstein/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty; Andrew Chin/Getty

Phil Hartmanplayed 42nd U.S. PresidentBill Clintonin the early ’90s, between 1992 to 1994. One of his sketches, titled “President Bill Clinton at McDonald’s'” remains one of the most popular from the show. But while fans love the skit, Hartman told David Letterman, “I found out the hard way that he really doesn’t like what I do,”Salon reported.

It seems Darrell Hammond had better luck with Clinton as he recalled the former president tapping him to play a clone in a sketch at the White House Correspondents' Dinner.

“I’m in the Oval Office in the full Clinton drag with the putty nose, the fake nose, the full thing,” Hammond said while on theHoward Stern Showback in 2001.

“He wanted me to play a clone in a sketch — with him — that he was doing for the Washington Correspondents' Dinner,” he explained. He went on to reveal that Clinton actually sought his counsel when writing the funny bits of his speech.

11of 18Chloe Fineman as Nancy PelosiChloe Fineman as Nancy Pelosi.Will Heath/NBC via Getty; Jemal Countess/GettyChloe FinemanjoinedSaturday Night Livein 2019 and immediately became a fan-favorite with impressions that ranged fromCarole Baskin,Scarlett Johanssonand of course, longtime House SpeakerNancy Pelosi.

11of 18

Chloe Fineman as Nancy Pelosi

Chloe Fineman as Nancy Pelosi.Will Heath/NBC via Getty; Jemal Countess/Getty

Will Heath/NBC via Getty; Jemal Countess/Getty

Chloe FinemanjoinedSaturday Night Livein 2019 and immediately became a fan-favorite with impressions that ranged fromCarole Baskin,Scarlett Johanssonand of course, longtime House SpeakerNancy Pelosi.

12of 18Sarah Sherman and Alex Moffat as Chuck SchumerSarah Sherman and Alex Moffat as Chuck Schumer.NBC; Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Anna Moneymaker/GettyFineman’s Pelosi also appeared alongside Sarah Sherman’sChuck Schumer.Before Sherman took over the role, Alex Moffat was tasked with playing the Senate majority leader from New York. At the time, McKinnon was his Nancy Pelosi.

12of 18

Sarah Sherman and Alex Moffat as Chuck Schumer

Sarah Sherman and Alex Moffat as Chuck Schumer.NBC; Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Anna Moneymaker/Getty

NBC; Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Fineman’s Pelosi also appeared alongside Sarah Sherman’sChuck Schumer.

Before Sherman took over the role, Alex Moffat was tasked with playing the Senate majority leader from New York. At the time, McKinnon was his Nancy Pelosi.

13of 18Bowen Yang as George SantosBowen Yang as George Santos.Will Heath/NBC via Getty; Anna Moneymaker/GettyBowen Yangmay have done a killer impression ofGeorge Santos, but he revealed stepping into the former U.S. congressman’s shoes wasn’t exactly an easy choice as he couldn’t find any commonalities between them.“I didn’t think [I was the guy to play him] because I was just not sure what his deal was, like any of us weren’t sure,“Yang told Seth Meyers. “I was like, ‘Oh he has glasses and we both have a gross nasally voice, so maybe I’m the guy?’ “Needless to say, theFire Islandstar ultimately found a way in.

13of 18

Bowen Yang as George Santos

Bowen Yang as George Santos.Will Heath/NBC via Getty; Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Will Heath/NBC via Getty; Anna Moneymaker/Getty

Bowen Yangmay have done a killer impression ofGeorge Santos, but he revealed stepping into the former U.S. congressman’s shoes wasn’t exactly an easy choice as he couldn’t find any commonalities between them.

“I didn’t think [I was the guy to play him] because I was just not sure what his deal was, like any of us weren’t sure,“Yang told Seth Meyers. “I was like, ‘Oh he has glasses and we both have a gross nasally voice, so maybe I’m the guy?’ "

Needless to say, theFire Islandstar ultimately found a way in.

14of 18Fred Armisen and Jay Pharoah as Barack ObamaFred Armisen and Jay Pharoah as Barack Obama.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty (2): Ron Sachs-Pool/GettyMany people have attempted an Obama impression, but perhaps none have been quite as impactful asFred Armisenand Jay Pharoah.Armisen began impersonating the 44th president of the United States back in season 33, before Jay Pharoah joined the cast and took over. The latter has done impressions of Obama ranging from ordering pizzas to dinner parties to addressing Ukraine.And it seems like the impressions have gone over well as hetold Stephen ColbertObama even tapped him to do the impersonation at a super secret private event. Asked if Obama like did it, Pharoah joked, “Well, he did. I am still here.”

14of 18

Fred Armisen and Jay Pharoah as Barack Obama

Fred Armisen and Jay Pharoah as Barack Obama.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty (2): Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty

Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty (2): Ron Sachs-Pool/Getty

Many people have attempted an Obama impression, but perhaps none have been quite as impactful asFred Armisenand Jay Pharoah.

Armisen began impersonating the 44th president of the United States back in season 33, before Jay Pharoah joined the cast and took over. The latter has done impressions of Obama ranging from ordering pizzas to dinner parties to addressing Ukraine.

And it seems like the impressions have gone over well as hetold Stephen ColbertObama even tapped him to do the impersonation at a super secret private event. Asked if Obama like did it, Pharoah joked, “Well, he did. I am still here.”

15of 18Jason Sudeikis and Dana Carvey as Joe BidenJason Sudeikis and Dana Carvey as Joe Biden.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Rosalind O’Connor/NBC via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/GettyPlaying Obama’s former right-hand man wasJason Sudeikis, who debuted his take back in 2007 and played the role till he left in 2013, though he continued to step in occasionally till 2019.For the season 50 cold open on Sept. 28, formerSNLcast memberDana Carveydelivered his own Biden impression that immediately went viral.On his podcast,Fly on the Wall,Carvey revealed Lorne Michaels was “like a dog with a bone,” and pressed Carvey to take on the role. Though he was hesitant at first, Carvey revealed the impression he landed on was very much a collaboration between himself and theSNLwriters.

15of 18

Jason Sudeikis and Dana Carvey as Joe Biden

Jason Sudeikis and Dana Carvey as Joe Biden.Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Rosalind O’Connor/NBC via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty; Rosalind O’Connor/NBC via Getty; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

Playing Obama’s former right-hand man wasJason Sudeikis, who debuted his take back in 2007 and played the role till he left in 2013, though he continued to step in occasionally till 2019.

For the season 50 cold open on Sept. 28, formerSNLcast memberDana Carveydelivered his own Biden impression that immediately went viral.

On his podcast,Fly on the Wall,Carvey revealed Lorne Michaels was “like a dog with a bone,” and pressed Carvey to take on the role. Though he was hesitant at first, Carvey revealed the impression he landed on was very much a collaboration between himself and theSNLwriters.

16of 18Maya Rudolph as Kamala HarrisMaya Rudolph as Kamala Harris.Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Alexander Tamargo/GettyAs soon asKamala Harrisannounced she was running for president, the internet cohesively urgedMaya Rudolphto polish up her impression of the sitting VP.And though she appreciated the support, Harris toldVariety,“It was also very bizarre, because I woke up to an article saying that I was confirmed to play her — and I hadn’t spoken to anyone!” she revealed.“This is so much bigger than me, and this is about something very important. I’m thrilled to be associated with it, and I’m also glad that I’ve played her and everyone’s cool with it. She likes it.”TheBridesmaidsactress and formerSNLalum first played Harris back in 2019 and has maintained the role since.

16of 18

Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris

Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris.Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Alexander Tamargo/Getty

Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty; Alexander Tamargo/Getty

As soon asKamala Harrisannounced she was running for president, the internet cohesively urgedMaya Rudolphto polish up her impression of the sitting VP.

And though she appreciated the support, Harris toldVariety,“It was also very bizarre, because I woke up to an article saying that I was confirmed to play her — and I hadn’t spoken to anyone!” she revealed.

“This is so much bigger than me, and this is about something very important. I’m thrilled to be associated with it, and I’m also glad that I’ve played her and everyone’s cool with it. She likes it.”

TheBridesmaidsactress and formerSNLalum first played Harris back in 2019 and has maintained the role since.

17of 18

Martin Short and Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff

Martin Short, Andy Samberg Doug Emhoff.Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty (2); Kent Nishimura/Getty

Will Heath/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty (2); Kent Nishimura/Getty

These impressions may still be relatively new, but the sheer commotion they’ve caused deserves to be noted.

FormerSaturday Night LivestarsMartin ShortandAndy Sambergtag-teamed to play second gentleman of the United States and husband to VP Kamala Harris,Doug Emhoff.

18of 18

Sarah Sherman as Matt Gaetz

Sarah Sherman, Matt Gaetz.Will Heath/NBC via Getty; David Banks/UPI/Shutterstock

Will Heath/NBC via Getty; David Banks/UPI/Shutterstock

source: people.com