All 52 ‘SNL’ Cast Members Who Only Lasted One Season

By Kayla Cobb @kaylcobb

Published Aug. 10, 2016

Updated Aug. 16, 2018

Here's every 'SNL' star who never made it to Season 2.

Seven stars had short runs in 'SNL's first decade.

George Coe on 'SNL' — **George Coe (1975-1976)**
**What Happened?:** Coe was part of the show's original cast as well as part of the "Not Ready for Primetime Players," but he quickly had to take a backseat to John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and Chevy Chase.
**Post SNL Career:** Coe has been in everything from *Kramer vs. Kramer* to *Max Headroom*. Unfortunately, he passed away in July of 2015. Getty

Michael O’Donoghue on 'SNL' — **Michael O'Donoghue (1975-1976)**
**What Happened?:** This was less of a firing and more of a re-organizing. O'Donoghue was originally hired as the show's head writer, but he was also part of the original "Not Ready for Primetime Players." Michaels decided to keep him behind the scenes.
**Post SNL Career:** O'Donoghue may have been one of the most memorable writers in *SNL*'s rich history. He famously refused to write jokes for Jim Henson, saying, "I don't write for felt." Sadly, he passed away in 1994 after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. Getty

Alan Zweibel on 'SNL' — **Alan Zweibel (1979 - 1980)**
**What Happened?:** After the 1978 - 1979 season, Belushi and Aykroyd left the show to pursue feature-film careers. This transition prompted Michaels to experiment with recruiting writers to become feature players. Yeah, that experiment didn't go so well.
**Post SNL Career:** Zweibel found his groove behind the scenes and has been dominating for a while. He's won four Emmys and one Tony for his work. However, he's been less active in recent years. Getty

Jim Downey on 'SNL' — **Jim Downey (1979-1980)**
**What Happened?:** Like Alan Zweibel, he's another failed attempt by Michaels to bring the writing staff in front of the camera. But the difference between Zweibel and Downey is Downey's legacy. He's one of the best known and most revered writers in *SNL* history.
**Post SNL Career:** Downey stuck with Michaels, leaving the show in 1980 when the producer left. After that, Downey was a major creative influence for *Late Night with David Letterman*. He returned to *SNL* in 1984 where he became known for writing most of Norm MacDonald's jokes during his controversial *Weekend Update* reign.Getty

Paul Shaffer on 'SNL' — **Paul Shaffer (1979-1980)**
**What Happened?:** Scaffer graduated from house band member to featured cast member during one of the most difficult times in SNL's history. He appeared in a few sketches but was never really expected to carry the show.
**Post SNL Career:** In 1982, he starting working with an up-and-coming stand up comedian, David Letterman. The rest is late night history. Getty

**Peter Aykroyd (1979 - 1980)**
**What Happened?:** The younger Aykroyd brother was yet another writer promoted to actor following Belushi and Aykroyd's departure. You already know how this ends.
**Post SNL Career:** Peter has partnered with his brother on several occasions, most notably to create *Nothing but Trouble* and to voice the animated *Blues Brothers*. He also co-created his own sci-fi show, *Psi Factor*.NBC

**Tom Schiller (1979 - 1980)**
**What Happened?:** Schiller was another writer brought onscreen during the 1979 season. He was also a writer from the show's first season.
**Post SNL Career:** Though his time onscreen was brief, his contributions to SNL were not. Schiller has won three Emmys for his behind-the-scenes work.Getty

The '80s brought with it more complicated problems as well as 25 one-season wonders.

**Ann Risley (1980-1981)**
**What Happened?:** This marks a dark moment in SNL history. Michaels left after the 1979 - 1980 season, and producer Jean Doumanian was brought on to steer. The result? Mass firings and a trainwreck of a show. Risley was one of the casualties.
**Post SNL Career:** She really hasn't been in much since *SNL*, but she did have a small part in *Annie Hall*.Getty

**Charles Rocket (1980-1981)**
**What Happened?:** You guessed it - another casualty.
**Post SNL Career:** Rocket starred in a few more projects but his life was tragically cut short. He died in 2005 after committing suicide.Getty

**Denny Dillon (1980-1981)**
**What Happened?:** Another casualty of that troubled season. Dillon was the strongest performer of that season, but that didn't encourage Ebersol to invite her back.
**Post SNL Career:** Dillon has had consistent work since her time on *SNL*, both on TV and Broadway. Her most notable appearances have been in the 1990 HBO series *Dream On*, *Ice Age*, and *United 93*. Getty

**Emily Prager (1980-1981)**
**What Happened?:** Prager was hired to be a featured player, but because of the writer's strike, she never made it onstage, at least not for a live show.
**Post SNL Career:** She became an author and a journalist, writing *Eve's Tattoo, Clea and Zeus Divorce*, and *Roger Fishbite*.Getty

**Gail Matthius (1980-1981)**
**What Happened?:** Another casualty of that season.
**Post SNL Career:** A whole lot of voice acting work. Basically, if you watched it in the '90s and 2000s, Matthius probably had something to do with it.Getty

**Gilbert Gottfried (1980-1981)**
**What Happened?:** Another victim of that disastrous season.
**Post SNL Career:** You know the answer to this one, and honestly, you're probably now reading this in Gottfried's voice. He went on to be a wildly successful stand up comedian.Getty

**Laurie Metcalf (1980-1981)**
**What Happened?:** Metcalf may have had the saddest SNL career of all. She was brought on SNL April 11, 1981 and appeared in exactly one sketch. The next week, a writer's strike derailed the show.
**Post SNL Career:** Don't worry about her too much. Metcalf went on to win three Emmys for her work on *Roseanne*. She's also been on *The Big Bang Theory*, *Desperate Housewives*, and is up for two Emmys this year for her work on *Horace and Pete* and *Getting On*. Getty

**Matthew Laurance (1980-1981)**
**What Happened?:** You guessed it - Doumanian
**Post SNL Career:** You probably don't know his name, but you know his face. Laurance has been in *Eddie and the Cruisers* and *St. Elmo's Fire*, but he's probably best known for playing Mel Silver in *Beverly Hills 90210*.NBC

**Patrick Weathers (1980-1981)**
**What Happened?:** Doumanian. Againian.
**Post SNL Career:** Weathers has been keeping busy with bit parts. He's been in everything from Oliver Stone's *Wall Street* to *The Campaign* to the 2016 mini-series, *Roots*.Getty

**Yvonne Hudson (1980-1981)**
**What Happened?:** The good - Hudson was the first female, African-American cast member on the show. The bad - Hudson was part of Doumanian's disastrous season.
**Post SNL Career:** Based on her IMDB page, it looks like Hudson left show business after her time on the show. Getty

**Christine Ebersole (1981 - 1982)**
**What Happened?:** Ebersole was used as more of a go-to straight woman than a comedy heavy hitter. However, the show did utilize her amazing musical talents.
**Post SNL Career:** Ebersole was just fine without SNL. The actress is mostly known for her work on Broadway, having won two Tonys, one for the musical *42nd Street* and the other for *Grey Gardens*.Getty

**Billy Crystal (1984 - 1985)**
**What Happened?:** Crystal's addition signified a temporary shift in *SNL*. Producer Dick Ebersol decided to hire seasoned comedians instead of newcomers. However, the season was cut short due to the writer's strike and budget constraints. Another *SNL* experiment gone wrong.
**Post SNL Career:** Billy Crystal didn't need *SNL*. *SNL* needed Crystal. He went on to star in everything from When *Harry Met Sally* to *Monsters Inc.* and FX's short-lived *The Comedians*.Getty

**Christopher Guest (1984 - 1985)**
**What Happened?:** Guest was another casualty of Ebersol's failed known comedians experiment. He was originally known as a frequent contributor to *The National Lampoon Radio Hour*.
**Post SNL Career:** If you love bizarre mockumentaries, Guest is you hero. He's contributed to *This Is Spinal Tap, Best in Show*, and *For Your Consideration*. Also, he's married to Jamie Lee Curtis. Fun fact.Getty

**Martin Short (1984 - 1985)**
**What Happened?:** Ebersol's experiment. Enough said.
**Post SNL Career:** Once again, he's Martin Short, so he's doing just fine. Currently, Short is starring in *Maya & Marty*, but he's also known for his work in *Three Amigos* and the Broadway revival of *Little Me*, for which he won a Tony. Getty

**Pamela Stephenson (1984 - 1985)**
**What Happened?:** Ebersol.
**Post SNL Career:** Stephenson was the first female cast member to be born outside of North America. So what's she up to now? She's a clinical psychologist, writer, and actress in New Zealand. Props are due.Getty

**Rich Hall (1984 - 1985)**
**What Happened?:** He tried to burn - just kidding. It's another Ebersol hiccup.
**Post SNL Career:** Hall has found a lot of fame across the pond. He's created and starred in several series for the BBC, including comedies and documentaries, often about American cinema. He also has maintained a successful stand-up career.Getty

**Anthony Michael Hall (1985 - 1986)**
**What Happened?:** The 1985 season was a rough one for SNL. Lorne Michaels had just returned from a five-year hiatus, and though there was a lot of effort, the cast and writers never exactly clicked. But it's OK. Hall was able to recover.
**Post SNL Career:** 1985 was Hall's year. That's when both *Weird Science* and *The Breakfast Club* came out. But those roles shouldn't completely define this actor. More recently, Hall has been in *Edward Scissorhands, The Dead Zone*, and *The Dark Knight*.Getty

**Robert Downey Jr. (1985 - 1986)**
**What Happened?:** Just like Hall, RDJ was part of Michael's' new cast, and though the 20-year-old was committed, this young cast just didn't cut it. But his time on set did give us a painful sketch involving RDJ as a suitcase, and for that we are always grateful.
**Post SNL Career:** He decided to become Tony Stark and promptly made all the money. This big movie star has been in everything from *Sherlock Holmes* to *Zodiac*, but let's be real. You know him as *Iron Man*. Getty

**Damon Wayans (1985-1986)**
**What Happened?:** Wayans had a promising future on the show but went out in a big way. Reportedly, the cast member complained about creative differences as well as the show's stressful environment. However, things came to a head when Wayans went against Michael's' wishes, playing a straight cop as a gay character. He was fired.
**Post SNL Career:** If anything, SNL was holding this comedian back. Wayans went on to become one of the biggest comedians of the '90s and starred in *In Living Color*.Getty

**Danitra Vance (1985 - 1986)**
**What Happened?:** Vance was the first African-American female repertory player of SNL, but it was not a happy relationship. Though she received very little screen time, Vance was often blatantly typecast and left the show due to her demeaning characters.
**Post SNL Career:** Four years after her time on SNL, Vance was diagnosed with breast cancer. She died in 1993 at the age of 40.Getty

**Dan Vitale (1985-1986)**
**What Happened?:** It's pretty murky. He was hired as a feature player for the show, but the show's cast and writers never really clicked. Vitale was another casualty from a rough time.
**Post SNL Career:** Besides a few uncredited appearances in *Anger Management* and *Malibu's Most Wanted*, Vitale's career has been pretty quiet. NBC

**Joan Cusack (1985 - 1986)**
**What Happened?:** You know the drill - that young cast was R-O-U-G-H. Highly talented, though.
**Post SNL Career:** Because she's Joan Cusack, she kind of killed it at life after *SNL*. Cusack went on to star in *Working Girl, Say Anything ... , Shameless*, and two *Toy Story* movies. She's also received five Emmy noms.Getty

**Randy Quaid (1985 - 1986)**
**What Happened?:** Quaid was also part of that insane 1985 season, but he didn't last long.
**Post SNL Career:** You can firmly put Quaid in the relatively successful actor category. Quaid is best known for his roles in *Brokeback Mountain, LBJ: The Early Years*, and *Independance Day*. The original one, not the terrible 2016 version.Getty

**Terry Sweeney (1985 - 1986)**
**What Happened?:** You know the drill - weird, terrible season underlined by highly talented performers. Sweeney was also SNL's first openly gay male cast member. During his time on the show, he was ridiculed for his sexuality, especially by Chevy Chase.
**Post SNL Career:** Later, Sweeney wrote for *MADtv* as well as the Sci Fi Channel series, *Tripping the Rift*.Getty

**Ben Stiller (1988-1989)**
**What Happened?:** Creative differences. Stiller hoped to make more short films for the show, but Michaels wasn't really on board. The two parted ways after the 1989 season.
**Post SNL Career:** Stiller was barely successful after *SNL*. He starred in a few shows and movies you've probably never heard of - *The Ben Stiller Show, Zoolander, Meet the Parents, Night at the Museum*. A real nobody.Getty

There were only nine one-season players in the '90s, but many of them have gone on to be household names.

**Beth Cahill (1991-1992)**
**What Happened?:** Cahill was one of those mid-season members, coming on the show halfway through as a writer and featured player. Though she was able to occasionally hit some big laughs with her character Denise Swerski, her contract wasn't renewed. No one has a good reason why.
**Post SNL Career:** Cahill's career have been pretty silent. Besides appearing on episodes of *Review* and *Drunk History*, the most notable thing she's appeared in is something called *Fatty Drives the Bus*.NBC

**Siobhan Fallon (1991 - 1992)**
**What Happened?:** Fallon was known for turning down roles that conflicted with her Catholic ideals, but she was still universally liked. However, after an unmemorable season, she was not asked to return. She was one of the women to bring us the Delta Delta Delta sisters, and for that, we thank Fallon.
**Post SNL Career:** Fallon was another writer to transition to *MADtv*, and she also wrote on *Tripping the Rift*. Other than that, he career has been pretty quiet.Getty

**Sarah Silverman (1993 - 1994)**
**What Happened?:** Silverman's short-lived career had everything to do with her small presence on the show. As a writer, only one of her sketches made it to dress rehearsal, and as a performer, she made even less of an impression. She was fired.
**Post SNL Career:** This one isn't a sob story. Silverman went on to have a very lucrative if not controversial career as a stand up comedian. She also had her own show, *The Sarah Silverman Program* and is most recently known for pissing off Bernie Bros everywhere during the 2016 DNC. Haters gonna hate.Getty

**Chris Elliott (1994 - 1995)**
**What Happened?:** Long story short? Elliott was the victim of a highly-successful and overcrowded *SNL* year. However, he and his daughter, Abby Elliott, became the first parent-child pairing to both be on SNL.
**Post SNL Career:** Elliott has been working consistently lately, but he's probably best known for being in *There's Something About Mary*. He's also been in *Schitt's Creek* and *How I Met Your Mother*. Elliott hasn't been shy about calling his time on *SNL* the worst year of his life.

**Janeane Garofalo (1994 - 1995)**
**What Happened?:** Garofalo was only on the show for a short, five-month stint before she left the boy's club environment. She later cited it as "the most miserable experience of my life." Oof.
**Post SNL Career:** Garofalo's career is kind of in the middle of revival. She was great in both *Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp* and *Girlfriend's' Guide to Divorce*. She's also known for her work on *Delocated, 24*, and *The West Wing*.Getty

**Laura Kightlinger (1994 - 1995)**
**What Happened?:** Kightlinger, with her addictingly dark style, was another victim of the bro-backlash. She was hired as a replacement after several members of the previous season left, but she quit after only one season.
**Post SNL Career:** Kightlinger became a writer and consulting producer for *Will & Grace*, and later, she became a producer for *2 Broke Girls*.Getty

**Morwenna Banks (1994-1995)**
**What Happened?:** The British actress began as a repertory cast member in April of 1995. However, she left at the conclusion of the season.
**Post SNL Career:** Banks is now basically queen of the children. She voices a large amount of the characters on both *Peppa Pig* and *Danger Mouse*. She's also been on *Shameless* and *Skins*.Getty

**David Koechner (1995 - 1996)**
**What Happened?:** 1995 was the first year *SNL* had some serious competition in the form of *MADtv* and Howard Stern's late night show. Combine that pressure with Koechner's refusal to do some sketches and a higher up that didn't like the comedian, and Koechner was fired.
**Post SNL Career:** Koechner is one of those comedy faces you know. He was Champ Kind in *Anchorman* and Todd Packer on *The Office*, but he's also starred in *Talladega Nights, Thank You For Smoking*, and *Semi-Pro*. Currently, he's a co-star on *Another Period*.Getty

**Nancy Walls (1995 - 1996)**
**What Happened?:** Sadly, Walls was never really able to break out from the background despite her proclivity for insane suburban mom rants.
**Post SNL Career:** Walls became a regular correspondent for *The Daily Show* from 1999 to 2002. Today, she's known as one of the creators of cop comedy *Angie Tribeca*, which she created along with her husband, Steve Carell. Getty

One of the 2000s four cut players is responsible for arguably the biggest mess up in 'SNL' history.

**Jerry Minor (2000 - 2001)**
**What Happened?:** Minor went from Bob Odenkirk's *Mr. Show* to *SNL* cast member. However, he was fired along with Chris Parnell due to budget restraints. Fun fact: Minor is the only alum to have been a member of all three Second City touring companies.
**Post SNL Career:** Minor has been busy. You can see him in everything from *The Jim Gaffigan Show* and *Anchorman* to *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* and *Community*. He's been working consistently ever since he left *SNL*.Getty

**Rob Riggle (2004 - 2005)**
**What Happened?:** The former Marine had a hard time breaking out from the background. However, this isn't a sad story.
**Post SNL Career:** Riggle became a correspondent for *The Daily Show* from 2006 - 2008. Since then, he's been on everything from *The Hangover* to *21 Jump Street*. You may remember him as the villain in the original and the highly aggressive inmate in *22 Jump Street*.Getty

**Michaela Watkins (2008 - 2009)**
**What Happened?:** In an interview Watkins gave with EW, the star said Michaels fired her because he felt that she should have her own show. That must feel nice - being fired from your dream job because you're too good for it.
**Post SNL Career:** We think Michaels was onto something. Watkins has been slaying as the doe-eyed protagonist of Hulu's *Casual*. She's also been in the short-lived but incredible *Trophy Wife, The New Adventures of Old Christine*, and *Transparent*.Getty

**Jenny Slate (2009 - 2010)**
**What Happened?:** Slate made one huge, unforgivable mistake during her time on *SNL* - she dropped an f-bomb on live TV. Whoops. Michaels didn't even tell Slate she was fired; she found out about it online.
**Post SNL Career:** Slate is one comedian you need to be watching. Her delightfully bizarre sense of comedy shines through in *Obvious Child*. However, she's probably best known for playing Mona Lisa on *Parks and Recreation*.Getty

The decade isn't even over and 'SNL' has already had seven one-season hits.

**Tim Robinson (2012 - 2013)**
**What Happened?:** Robinson was another writer-turned-performer experiment gone wrong. Not everyone can be Tina Fey or Seth Meyers. Robinson was moved back to writer after one season.
**Post SNL Career:** Robinson is still on *SNL*'s writing staff, but that's not all he's been doing. The comedian also has a special on Netflix's *The Characters* and has appeared on *Late Night with Seth Meyers*.Getty

**Brooks Wheelan (2013 - 2014)**
**What Happened?:** This was the start of *SNL*'s seemingly never ending "rebuilding years," and Wheelan didn't make the cut. However, he holds the distinction of being one of the most outspoken and happy cast members to discuss his firing.
**Post SNL Career:** It hasn't been that long since Wheelan left, but things are looking up. He released a critically praised stand up album, *This Is Cool, Right?*, and he's been on *Late Night with Seth Meyers*.Getty

**John Milhiser (2013 - 2014)**
**What Happened?:** Another victim of *SNL* rebuilding itself.
**Post SNL Career:** He hasn't been in much since he just left the show, but Milhiser has been busy. The actor has been in *2 Broke Girls*, Netflix's *Love*, and *Other Space*.Getty

**Mike O'Brien (2013 - 2014)**
**What Happened?:** O'Brien has been a writer for the show since 2009, but he was moved to feature played during the 2013 season. He was moved back to writer after one season.
**Post SNL Career:** O'Brien continued to write for the show until last year. But more recently, he's been in *Man Seeking Woman* and *Documentary Now!*Getty

**Noël Wells (2013 - 2014)**
**What Happened?:** A very unfortunate casualty of *SNL*'s growing years.
**Post SNL Career:** Wells received critical praise for her portrayal of Rachel in Netflix's *Master of None*. She's another comedian you need to be watching.Getty

**Jon Rudnitsky (2015 - 2016)**
**What Happened?:** The latest addition to this very long list, it was just announced that *SNL* would not be renewing Rudnitsky's contract. The reason? He never really broke out from the background. Also, he faced a lot of controversy over old tweets.
**Post SNL Career:** It's too early to tell, but Rudnitsky had a solid stand-up career prior to his time on *SNL*. We're wishing him the best.Getty

Luke Null in 'SNL' — **Luke Null (2017 - 2018)**
**What Happened?:** For its 43rd season, *Saturday Night Live* hired three new featured players: Chris Redd, Heidi Gardner, and Luke Null. On August 16, 2018, it was announced that the variety show would not be renewing Null's contract. No reason was given for why, but considering that Null only received a limited amount of screentime during his season, that's likely the case. He's best known for the "Horns" sketch he did with Gardner and host John Mulaney.
**Post SNL Career:** Because Null has just left the show, it's unknown what he will do next.
Photo: NBC

Where to Stream:

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live has been cleaning house. Today it was announced that one of the variety show’s newest featured players, Luke Null, would not be returning for another season.

Casting cuts are nothing new. Two years ago the iconic NBC show was met with outrage when it cut Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah. But one-season wonders are in an interesting league of their own. The last time the series cut a newbie was in 2016 when it didn’t renew the contract of newbie Jon Rudnitsky. But don’t worry — Null and Rudnitsky are far from alone.

Everyone likes to focus on Saturday Night Live‘s outstanding successes, like the dynamically talented Tina Fey, Kristen Wiig, and Amy Poehler, or the sad side of its alumni, like John Belushi’s death. However, Saturday Night Live has had more than its fair share of in-show failures, and most of those failures can be traced through the history of the show’s one season cast members. From SNL flops who went on to become household names, like Robert Downey Jr., Ben Stiller, and Sarah Silverman, to talented performers who were never really heard from again, like Beth Cahill and Yvonne Hudson, this list of one season cast members provides a surprisingly interesting insight into SNL‘s storied past. Luke Null we’re sorry that your time live from New York was brief, but as this list will prove, you’re in good company.

Where to stream Saturday Night Live