"SNL" Who's Who: Characters and Cast Quiz

Answer: Bill Murray

Who didn't love Nick the Lounge Singer's version of the theme from "Star Wars"? Nick seemed to have gigs mostly at airport bars, and his last name typically corresponded with the season of the year or his current location - like Nick Summers or Nick Sands. According to the "SNL Archives", Nick appeared thirteen times on the show.

Still, there were other favorite Bill Murray sketches, such as his impression of Richard Dawson on Family Feud or Todd DiLaMuca. He was a cast member from 1977-1980, and also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 1977. He went on to star in iconic movies like "Meatballs" (1979), "Ghostbusters" (1984), and "What About Bob?" (1991).

Answer: Mike Myers

Lovable Wayne Campbell and his loyal friend Garth hosted a weekly music show in Wayne's parents' basement. Occasionally, they welcomed guests, who included the likes of Aerosmith and Madonna. Wayne Campbell appeared twenty-two times during Mike Myers' tenure on the program from 1989-1995, during which time he also portrayed other memorable characters such as Linda Richman.

Mike Myers turned his television character Wayne into the main character of two movies, "Wayne's World (1992) and "Wayne's World 2" (1993), and went on to star in the Austin Powers franchise (1997-2002) and "Shrek" (2001-2010). He has earned several awards, and in 2017 was named an Officer of the Order of Canada.

Answer: Adam Sandler

The handsome Opera Man was a regular guest on the "Weekend Update" segment. He sang the news - sometimes in Italian or using words that were supposed to sound like it. He played the role twelve times during his stint on "SNL" from 1990-1995. And who doesn't love to listen to his "Hanukkah Song" every holiday season?! Or think of "Lunch Lady Land" when they have to wait in line for food?

After leaving "SNL", Sandler became known for his comedy films, which include "Happy Gilmore" (1996) and "The Waterboy" (1998), and has won numerous awards for his work. In 2023, Sandler was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, which recognizes people who have had an impact on the world through the use of laughter.

Answer: Dana Carvey

Is there anyone who wasn't a bit taken aback by the overly pious Church Lady? Her talk of hell and punishment, along with the blatant attempt to point out the shortcomings she saw in her guests was partially based on someone that Garvey knew when he was growing up. Well, isn't that special? The Church Lady either scared us into being good or irritated us to death in twenty-four appearances during Dana Carvey's run on "SNL" from 1986-1993.

The fact that Carvey could then turn around a play the affable Garth Algar on both "SNL" and in the "Wayne's World" franchise (1992-1993) is a testimony to his versatility as an actor. He has gone on to co-host a podcast, "Fly on the Wall" (2022-) and starred in voice acting roles in "The Secret Life of Pets" (2016) and "The Secret Life of Pets 2" (2019).

Answer: Chris Farley

It was easy to feel sorry for Matt Foley, who lived in a van down by the river. He was a motivational speaker in spite of the fact that he had really poor social skills and was obviously down on his luck. Chris Farley, who starred on "SNL" from 1993-1997, appeared as Matt Foley eight times. The character was named after someone who Chris knew in college.

Chris had other memorable characters too, like the Gap Girl Cindy Crawford. He was known as one of the most likely cast members to break his co-stars, while all the time maintaining his composure. During his time on "SNL", Farley appeared in several movies, many times with his friends from the show, such as "Tommy Boy" (1995) and "Coneheads" (1993). There were plans to take Matt Foley to the movies when Farley suddenly passed away.

Answer: Gilda Radner

Nerdy Lisa and her boyfriend, Todd DiLaMuca, played by Bill Murray, tried to be a super couple, but always fell short. Lisa had thick glasses and frizzy hair, while Todd wore his pants to his chin! She called him "pizza face", and he looked down her shirt for "new developments". It was good that they had each other.

Gilda Radner was a cast member on "SNL" from 1975-1980; during that time she appeared as Lisa thirteen times. She also played other entertaining characters, such as Roseanne Rosenannadanna, who was a news correspondent based on an anchorwoman from a station in New York City. Radner was nominated for Emmy Awards three times for her work on "SNL" and won in 1978 for Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music.

Answer: Will Ferrell

It's very difficult to choose a favorite Will Ferrelll character from "SNL". Was it Dale in his patriotic short shorts or Gene Frenkle playing cowbell? Although Ferrell created a lot of memories while he was on the show from 1995-2002, Craig the Cheerleader, whom he played with Cheri O'Teri as Arianna, has to be the best! Other cheerleaders didn't want to be around them, but Craig and Arianna were happy to go about their business and perform their routines. The skit, a parody on cheerleaders, was performed seventeen times while they were on the show.

Ferrell went on a have a tremendous career in movies like "Elf" (2003) and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby" (2006), but his work on "SNL" as Alex Trebek and George W. Bush will always be remembered.

Answer: Molly Shannon

Poor Mary Katherine Gallagher! She was socially awkward. She was unpopular. She was never successful in participating at choir practice or in school plays at her Catholic girls' school. It seemed that she always ended up falling over or crashing into the set while flashing her underpants. The character, portrayed by Molly Shannon (1995-2001), believed she was a Superstar.

Mary Katherine Gallagher was seen in twenty-two episodes of "SNL", and went to star in her own movie: "Superstar" (1999). Shannon had other memorable roles on the show, like Sally O'Malley. She also appeared on "Glee" (2010), and won an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actress for "Other People" in 2017.

Answer: John Belushi

Like many of the other cast members, John Belushi portrayed many memorable characters on "SNL". Who could forget "The Killer Bees" or "The Olympia Restaurant" skits? One of the original cast members, Belushi starred on "SNL" from 1975-1979, during which time he also played Samari Futaba, who tried to apply his skills to the modern world at least twelve times.

Another memorable "SNL" role for Belushi was Jake Blues in the "Blues Brothers", which also transitioned away from "SNL" into an iconic movie role with Dan Aykroyd in 1980. Unfortunately, Belushi's future plans were cut short by his untimely death in 1982.

Answer: Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy's Mr. Robinson was not at all like Mr. Rogers. While he tried to portray the gentle, loving Rogers on the outside, on the inside he was a petty criminal who was always trying to avoid his landlord or the law. Can you say scumbag? It was a great parody, and Fred Rogers liked it so much that he asked to meet with Murphy.

Murphy was a cast member on "SNL" from 1980-1984, and appeared as Mr. Robinson in ten episodes. He also created other memorable characters like Velvet Jones and Buckwheat on the program, but went on to a successful film career as a voice actor (Donkey in "Shrek" 2001-2010). He won a Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picture Golden Globe Award for "Dreamgirls" (2006) and an Emmy Award for "Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2020 for hosting "SNL".