Saturday Night Live (SNL) is famous for its sketch comedy, often pushing the limits of humor. Over the years, many sketches have gone viral thanks to cast members and hosts breaking character, a phenomenon that only makes the scenes even funnier. Whether it’s from laughter, unexpected mistakes, or sheer unpredictability, these moments of breaking character are legendary. Let’s take a look at the top 20 funniest SNL breaking character moments that left audiences in stitches.
1. Stefan on Halloween
One of the most iconic SNL breaking character moments is Bill Hader as Stefan, the over-the-top club scene expert. In this Halloween-themed segment, Stefan stops by Weekend Update to advise partygoers on finding the most outrageous events. Hader cracks up multiple times as he tries to hold it together, making it clear that the audience couldn’t get enough of Stefan’s chaotic descriptions, including mentions of “skunks,” “Kay fobs,” and “Jewish Dracula.”
2. More Cowbell
This legendary sketch features Christopher Walken as a record producer obsessed with adding more cowbell to Blue Oyster Cult’s recording. The entire cast breaks character multiple times as they try to keep it together while Walken’s deadpan delivery fuels the absurdity. Will Ferrell, in a ridiculously small shirt, steals the show with his energetic performance, making this one of SNL’s most memorable breaking moments.
3. I Live in a Van Down by the River
Chris Farley’s motivational speaker character, Matt Foley, is known for making anyone break character. In this sketch, Farley hilariously shouts about living in a van down by the river, causing host Christina Applegate and David Spade to break into uncontrollable laughter. Farley’s physical comedy and larger-than-life persona made this moment unforgettable.
4. Jeff’s Retail Store
In a 2001 sketch, Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell, and host Sha Hayes play employees at an upscale retail store, “Jeff’s.” The sketch was full of condescending remarks and rude behavior towards customers, but the best part was the laughter that erupted on set. Fallon couldn’t even get through the opening without laughing, and Hayes soon followed, leaving the audience in stitches.
5. The Kissing Family
A recurring sketch featuring a family that’s overly affectionate and constantly kissing each other on the lips. In one of the most chaotic instances, Taran Killam plays an outsider horrified by his boyfriend’s family. Bill Hader and Fred Armisen, along with the rest of the cast, break character as they can’t stop laughing at the absurdity of the situation.
6. Debbie Downer at Disney World
Rachel Dratch’s character Debbie Downer, who turns any situation into a depressing scenario, famously breaks the cast in the happiest place on Earth. At Disney World, her morbid comments about tragic events, including tigers attacking their owners, cause Horatio Sanz and the rest of the table to break character and laugh uncontrollably, much to the audience’s delight.
7. Fernando’s Hideaway with Hulk Hogan and Mr. T
In the 1980s, Billy Crystal played Fernando Lamas in a parody talk show where he interviewed celebrities like Hulk Hogan and Mr. T. During one hilarious moment, Crystal ad-libs a joke about exercise equipment, causing both Hogan and Mr. T to break character and burst out laughing. The scene proved that even the most stoic guests weren’t immune to Crystal’s humor.
8. Scared Straight
This 2009 sketch featured a cast full of comedic talent, including Tracy Morgan, Keenan Thompson, and Bill Hader. When playing convicts trying to scare kids straight, the ensemble couldn’t help but break character as they used ridiculous movie references. The chaos and improvisation led to moments where every single actor cracked up, especially Hader and Thompson.
9. Stefon and Shai
Bill Hader’s Stefon made another appearance in 2018 alongside his lawyer, Shai (played by John Mulaney). Hader struggles to maintain his composure throughout the segment, particularly when Stefon talks about bizarre hotspots in New York City. Hader’s laugh becomes so contagious that even Seth Meyers couldn’t keep a straight face, making it one of the most cherished Stefon moments.
10. Kissing Family with Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen
Kristen Wiig and Fred Armisen’s comedic timing is unmatched in the Kissing Family sketch. As Armisen awkwardly performs his character, Wiig can’t keep a straight face, and soon the entire cast is laughing hysterically. The absurdity of the family’s inappropriate behavior only adds to the comedic chaos.
11. Girlfriend’s Game Night
In 2018, Bill Hader returned to SNL and left everyone laughing with his sketch as an elderly husband on a game night. His hilarious portrayal of a man under the influence of medication led to his co-stars, including Cecily Strong, cracking up. Hader couldn’t contain his laughter, especially when using his prop in a humorous way that broke everyone’s composure.
12. Simon and Gecat
Fred Armisen and Kristen Wiig as the songwriting duo Simon and Gecat had a hard time keeping it together during their performances, as they never rehearsed their skits. The spontaneity of the scenes led to them often laughing at each other, creating moments that had both the cast and audience in stitches.
13. Family Feud: NBC vs. CBS
During a 2013 Celebrity Family Feud sketch, Justin Timberlake impersonates Jimmy Fallon in a way that causes Fallon (playing Jim Parsons) to break character almost immediately. Timberlake’s perfect Fallon impression sets off a chain reaction of laughter, with both hosts and the audience unable to hold it in.
14. Super Showcase
Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph take a mundane game show sketch to hilarious heights with their over-the-top European accents. When one of them starts laughing, the other inevitably follows, leading to a complete breakdown of the scene. The scene escalates further with Bill Hader and others joining in on the fun.
15. Cork Soakers
In 2004, Janet Jackson hosted a sketch where she learns how to soak corks with a group of Italian winemakers. The sketch, which was filled with double entendres, led to giggles from everyone involved. Jackson struggled to get through her lines, and even Jimmy Fallon, known for breaking character, kept it together for once.
From hilarious physical comedy to impromptu moments of laughter, SNL’s breaking character moments have become a beloved part of the show’s legacy. These unforgettable moments not only show the talent and chemistry of the cast and hosts but also highlight the unpredictable nature of live comedy. Whether it’s a surprising slip of the tongue or a contagious giggle, these top 20 moments prove why SNL remains one of the funniest shows on television.
