Best SNL Hosts of the '80s

Steve Martin, born August 14, 1945, in Waco, Texas, is a talent with many skills. He worked in Disneyland's magic shop early on. This sparked his love for performance and started his stand-up comedy. Martin's mix of humor and banjo playing made him popular on the comedy circuit. This success pushed him to TV. He appeared on shows like The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Saturday Night Live. Martin's comedy skill reached beyond the stage.

Robin Williams, an American actor and comedian, left a huge mark on Hollywood. He was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1951. Williams developed a passion for acting early. He studied theater at Juilliard School in New York City. Then, he moved to California and began his career doing stand-up comedy. The series Mork & Mindy gave Williams his breakthrough role, showing his improvisational skills and funny humor. He created memorable characters in films like Mrs. Doubtfire, Good Morning Vietnam, and Dead Poets Society.

John Candy, born in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada in 1950, became a beloved comedic figure. He came from humble beginnings. Candy attended Neil McNeil Catholic High School, where he showed early talent for making people laugh. He sharpened his comedy skills at Centennial Community College. Joining the Second City comedy troupe in Toronto launched his career in film and television. Candy got his big TV break.

Eddie Murphy is an iconic entertainment figure. He was born Edward Regan Murphy on April 3, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York. Murphy faced hard times. His parents divorced when he was three, and his father died five years later. These struggles fueled his performance passion. As a teenager, Murphy sharpened his skills at the Roosevelt Youth Center, where he impressed audiences with his comedy impressions. His talent got noticed quickly; at age 19,

Martin Short, born Martin Hayter Short in 1950 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, is a respected name. He works as an actor, comedian, writer, singer, and producer. Short experienced tragedy early; he lost his brother and parents by age 21. He found comfort in the performing arts. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from McMaster University. During that time, he built his talent in theater productions. Short started his comedy career as a member of the Second City Troupe.

Bill Murray, born in 1950, is an American actor, comedian, and writer known for his deadpan delivery. Raised in Wilmette, Illinois, Murray was one of nine children in a large Irish Catholic family. Murray found his passion for performing arts in high school, leading him to join the Second City comedy troupe in Chicago. In 1974, he moved to New York City and played on The National Lampoon Radio Hour, a comedy show that launched many Saturday Night Live (SNL) performers. Murray made his breakthrough in 1975 when NBC cast him in SNL.

Tom Hanks is a highly regarded American actor and filmmaker, known for strong performances in comedy and drama. Born July 9, 1956, in Concord, California, Hanks attended Skyline High School in Oakland. He studied theater at Chabot College before transferring to California State University, Sacramento. A meeting with Vincent Dowling, head of the Great Lakes Theater Festival in Ohio, sparked Hanks's acting career. Hanks's early work includes television series like Bosom Buddies; his breakthrough came in Ron Howard's film.

Jamie Lee Curtis was born November 22, 1958, in Santa Monica, California, from Hollywood royalty. She is the daughter of Janet Leigh, who starred in Psycho, and Tony Curtis, a popular actor of the 1950s and 60s. Despite this background, Curtis found her own path as an actress, author, and activist. Curtis started acting in 1978 in John Carpenter's horror film Halloween. Her role as Laurie Strode, a teenager fighting Michael Myers, earned her the title 'scream'.

Actress Rhea Perlman brought a strong onscreen presence to memorable, strong-willed characters across her career. Her barmaid, Carla Tortelli, on "Cheers" (NBC, 1982-1993), stood out as larger-than-life, sharp-tongued, and often pregnant. Perlman played Carla for 11 seasons, slinging beers and barbs, earning her a spot among television's great putdown masters. Before winning an Emmy on "Cheers," Perlman acted on stage and screen. She appeared in the recurring role on "Taxi" (ABC/NBC, 1978-1983), which featured real-life actor Hugh Glass.

Drew Barrymore was born February 22, 1975, in Culver City, California. She is a famous American actress, producer, director, and author. Barrymore comes from the Barrymore family, synonymous with American cinema for over a century. Her career shows many ups and downs that shaped her into an icon of resilience and reinvention. Barrymore began acting at a very young age. She gained attention with her heartwarming performance in Steven Spielberg's blockbuster E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial when she was j

Danny DeVito was born November 17, 1944, in Neptune Township, New Jersey. He became a major entertainment figure despite his small size. DeVito built his career through hard work, talent, and humor, not easy advantages. After finishing the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, DeVito worked in off-Broadway shows before Hollywood. The hit TV series *Taxi* in the late 1970s launched DeVito's career.

Jeff Bridges has an acting career spanning over sixty years in Hollywood films. Bridges appeared on screen as a baby in the 1951 film *The Company She Keeps*. He was born December 4, 1949, in Los Angeles, California. He is the son of actor Lloyd Bridges and the younger brother of Beau Bridges. Despite this family background, Bridges found his own place in film history.

Ronald William Howard, known as Ron Howard, is an iconic cinema figure. Howard was born March 1, 1954, in Oklahoma, U.S. He grew up in a family deeply involved in film and television. His father, Rance Howard, acted, and his mother, Jean Speegle Howard, was an actress. This background made it likely Howard would enter entertainment. Howard started his career young, starring in the film *The Journey*, and later became Opie Taylor on the TV series.

Woody Harrelson, an American actor and playwright, left a mark on cinema with varied roles. Harrelson was born July 23, 1961, in Midland, Texas. Adversity in his early life may have fueled his drive to succeed. He studied theatre arts and English at Hanover College, Indiana, where he found acting and sharpened his skills. Harrelson first gained national recognition as bartender Woody Boyd in the TV series *Cheers*, which aired from 1985 to 1993.

Rick Moranis is a Canadian actor, comedian, and screenwriter. Born April 18, 1953, in Toronto, Canada, he started as a radio disc jockey. He moved into television and film after that. His breakthrough came with the sketch comedy show *Second City Television* (SCTV), where he sharpened his comedy. Moranis used this platform to write, earning two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program.

Bob Newhart, an American stand-up comedian and actor, was born September 5, 1929, in Oak Park, Illinois. He got a business degree from Loyola University of Chicago. Newhart first worked in accounting. He found his comedic wit better than crunching numbers. This led to a distinct voice in comedy, known for his deadpan delivery and slight stammering. His recording career started with his album, The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart, released in 1960.

Geena Davis is an American actress, producer, activist, and former model. She appeared in many film and television shows over many decades. Davis was born January 21, 1956, in Wareham, Massachusetts. She studied drama at Boston University, graduating in 1979. Afterward, she moved to New York to model. Her acting career started with the film Tootsie (1982). Davis' performance in that film launched her acting career.

Valerie Bertinelli acted as a child, growing up on American TV. The petite Bertinelli brought a fresh, smart-alecky feel to Norman Lear's CBS sitcom, "One Day at a Time" (1975-1984). Her persona changed with her young marriage to guitarist Eddie Van Halen. Bertinelli moved into TV movies, miniseries, and series, including the family drama "Touched by an Angel" (CBS, 1994-2003). Bertinelli managed home and work life while staying a welcome presence.

Stevie Wonder, born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in 1950, is an iconic American musician, singer, and songwriter. His huge talent changed the music world. Wonder was born premature and had retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which caused blindness soon after birth. This disability did not stop him from making music. His musical path began young; he played piano, harmonica, and drums. Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records, signed Wonder after seeing his talent.

Andie MacDowell is an entertainment figure famous for award-winning film and television work. Born Rosalie Anderson MacDowell on April 21, 1958, in Gaffney, South Carolina, she started as a model before moving into acting. MacDowell began her modeling with Elite Model Management. This led her to represent brands like Vogue and Yves Saint Laurent. Director Bruce Beresford noticed her striking look and talent, offering her a starring role in his 1

Susan Alexandra Weaver, born in 1949, is a versatile, lasting actress. From a New York City family, she took her stage name from a character in F. Scott Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby*. Weaver started acting young. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford University. She then got a Master of Fine Arts from the Yale School of Drama. In 1979, she starred as Ellen Ripley in Ridley Scott's *Alien*.

Michael John Douglas, born September 5, 1951, in Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, is an acclaimed American actor. Keaton shows versatility and dynamic performances. Keaton has worked for decades. He showed a wide range of acting skills across genres: comedy, drama, action, and thriller. Keaton started his career on television. He appeared on shows like Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and The Mary Tyler Moore Hour. Keaton found stardom in the '80s when he collaborated

Kathleen Turner, born June 19, 1954, in Springfield, Missouri, is an American actress. She has acted for over four decades. Turner grew up in a diplomatic family. She lived in countries like Canada, Cuba, and Venezuela before returning to the United States. After school at Southwest Missouri State University, she moved to New York City to act. Turner debuted in the NBC soap opera The Doctors in 1977. Her breakout role came in 1981 when she starred in Body Heat. People highly praised her performance, opening doors for a success

Johnny Cash was born John R. Cash on February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas. His life showed music's power and human spirit's strength. Cash used his deep baritone and the Tennessee Three's sound—boom-chicka-boom—to create a unique spot in American music. His songs, often about love, loss, and redemption, touched listeners everywhere. Cash began his musical path as a child by playing guitar and writing songs.

Teri Garr, an American actress and comedian, built a major career in Hollywood over four decades. Garr was born December 11, 1944, in Lakewood, Ohio. Garr grew up in a performing arts family. Her mother was a radio actress; her father was a Broadway stage actor. This early exposure sparked her acting passion. Garr studied drama at California State University, Northridge. Known for her lively personality and comedic timing, Garr got her big role in 1974. She starred in the film Young Frankenstein, directed by Mel Brooks

Ringo Starr, born Richard Starkey on July 7, 1940, in Liverpool, England, became a world-renowned drummer with The Beatles. A working-class family raised him. Starr faced health issues as a child, causing him to miss school. During hospital stays, he found his drumming passion. Starr started his music career with Rory Storm and the Hurricanes, leading to The Beatles. In 1962, Starr replaced Pete Best as the drummer.

Candice Bergen is a talent in entertainment, known for acting, modeling, and photography. She was born May 9, 1946, in Beverly Hills, California. Her parents were ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and model Frances Westerman. Bergen attended the University of Pennsylvania but dropped out to model. She began acting with small roles in the early 1960s. Her performance in Carnal Knowledge (1971) provided her acting breakthrough.

Anjelica Huston is an American actress and director. She was born July 8, 1951, in Santa Monica, California. Her father was director John Huston and prima ballerina Enrica Soma. Her family background shows artistic history. Huston lived in Ireland and England for most of her youth. Huston's early years involved famous people visiting her father's home. Huston moved to New York City in 1969 for acting. After a few minor roles, she continued.

John Goodman is an American actor known for big performances in film and television. He was born June 20, 1952, in Affton, Missouri. Goodman found his acting passion at Southwest Missouri State University, where he studied drama. After graduation, he moved to New York City. He worked in commercials and off-Broadway shows before getting a big role. Goodman's career grew in the late 1980s when he played Dan Conner on the hit sitcom Roseanne.

Dolly Parton was born January 19, 1946, in a one-room cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. She is an iconic music figure. Parton was the fourth of twelve children; her family lacked money but possessed music and love. Her singing and songwriting talent started early. At ten, she performed on local TV and radio in Knoxville, Tennessee. At thirteen, she debuted at the Grand Ole Opry. Country music star Johnny Cash encouraged her to pursue her dreams. Parton's career grew when she partnered with Porter Wagoner on his popular show.

Tim Curry, born Timothy James Curry on April 19, 1946 in Grappenhall, England, is an actor, singer, and voice artist. His acting career started in London's West End, where he won audiences with his theatrical performances. He gained global fame playing Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult film, The Rocky Horror Picture Show. This role showed Curry could mix drama, comedy, and music. Curry also made big contributions to the w

Christopher Reeve, an American actor, director, and activist, left a mark on entertainment and more. He was born September 25, 1952, in New York City. Reeve began acting young, joining the theater scene in his hometown. His love for performing arts led him to study at Cornell University and then Juilliard School in New York. He made his Broadway debut in 1976. His role as Clark Kent/Superman in the 1978 film Superman launched him to international fame.

Ted Danson is a respected and lasting figure in American television. Born Edward Bridge Danson III on December 29, 1947, in San Diego, California, he got a Bachelor's degree in Drama from Stanford University. Danson honed his skills at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. Danson began pursuing acting seriously in the early 1970s, starting a career with many memorable roles. His breakthrough came in 1982 with the role of Sam Malone in the celebrated sitcom.

Mark Harmon, born Thomas Mark Harmon on September 2, 1951, in Burbank, California, is an American actor who shaped the entertainment industry over decades. Harmon grew up in Hollywood: his mother, Elyse Knox, was an actress, and his father, Tom Harmon, was a football player and broadcaster. Harmon first pursued sports, playing quarterback at UCLA in the early 1970s, following his father. Harmon moved into acting later.

Dabney Wharton Coleman (January 3, 1932 – May 16, 2024) was an American actor. Coleman starred in films like 9 to 5 (1980), On Golden Pond (1981), Tootsie (1982), WarGames (1983), Cloak & Dagger (1984), The Muppets Take Manhattan (1984), The Beverly Hillbillies (1993), You've Got Mail (1998), Inspector Gadget (1999), Recess: School's Out (2001), Moonlight Mile (2002), and Rules Don't Apply (2016). For television, Coleman played the title character in Buffalo Bill (1983–1984), Burton Fallin in The Guardian (2001–2004), and the voice of Principal Peter Prickly in Recess (1997–2001).

Paul Simon is an American music artist. He sings, writes songs, and acts. Born October 13, 1941, in Newark, New Jersey, he started music early. He loved music after baseball faded. He got his first guitar at age 11. This started a career lasting over sixty years. He earned many awards and became a major musician.

Mary Tyler Moore is an actress known for American television. Her career lasted over sixty years. Born December 29, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, Moore used charm, wit, and strength in entertainment. She broke away from typical female roles. Her breakout role appeared in 1961 as Laura Petrie on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Audiences liked her charming persona. She won two Emmy Awards there.

Tony Danza acts, dances, and teaches. Antonio Salvatore Iadanza, Danza's birth name, was born April 21, 1951, in Brooklyn, New York. Danza grew up in a working-class family. He was a great athlete then. He first pursued a boxing career as "Dangerous" Tony Danza. A TV producer found him at a boxing gym, leading to his first acting job as Tony Banta in Taxi (1978-1983). This started a successful acting career lasting over four years.

Don Rickles was an American stand-up comedian and actor. He used sharp wit and a cutting tongue. Born May 8, 1926, in Queens, New York, Rickles made a place for himself with insult comedy. His career spanned sixty years. He earned the nickname "Mr. Warmth" for his harsh jokes aimed at famous people. Rickles started as a comic after serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began performing in nightclubs in the 195

Bruce Willis, born Walter Bruce Willis on March 19, 1955, in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, became a famous and versatile actor in Hollywood. Willis grew up in a working-class family in New Jersey. He worked as a security guard and private investigator before acting got him a big break. His father was an American soldier; his mother was a German bank teller. These mixed backgrounds shaped his tough-guy look on screen. Willis started his acting career with the television series Moonlighting (1985-1989), where he starred opposite Cybil

Willie Nelson was born April 29, 1933, in Abbott, Texas. Hardship marked Nelson's early life. He found music, started writing songs, and played guitar young. Gospel, pop, blues, and folk shaped his sound, crossing genre lines. Nelson's fame took many turns. He first worked as a radio disc jockey while improving his songwriting. "Crazy" became a huge hit for Patsy Cline when he wrote it.

Elliott Gould, born Elliott Goldstein August 29, 1938, in Brooklyn, New York, is a major Hollywood figure. He stars in films like MASH, The Long Goodbye, and Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, earning an Academy Award nomination. Gould's career spans over sixty years, making him an enduring actor. Raised in a Jewish family, Gould started acting on Broadway before moving to film. He gained initial success in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a leading actor in Ho

Kirk Douglas, born Issur Danielovitch December 9, 1916, was an American actor, producer, director, and author. He went from a ragman's son in Amsterdam, New York, to a respected, long-lasting Hollywood star. Douglas's voice, rugged look, and intense acting made a mark on cinema. He worked over sixty years, appearing in more than 90 films. His career took off after his role in Champion (1949), which brought him his first Academy Award nom

Michael Douglas has dominated Hollywood for over forty years. Born September 25, 1944, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, he was set for stardom; he was the son of actor Kirk Douglas and actress Diana Dill. The entertainment industry let him develop his skills and made him an acting powerhouse. Douglas started acting with small parts in the late 1960s before getting his breakthrough role in The Streets of San Francisco (1972-1976). Real praise came when he entered film

Justine Bateman, a likable performer in 1980s sitcoms and TV-movies, moved from light juvenile roles to tougher work on stage and cable TV in the 1990s. She remains best known as Mallory Keaton, the academic underachiever and dedicated shopper on the hit sitcom "Family Ties" (NBC, 1982-89). Bateman entered show business after her younger brother Jason joined the final season of "Little House on the Prairie." She joined her brother's agency and found commercial work by age 15. Bateman began her seven-season run as a sitcom actress after reading for a small part in the pilot of "Family Ties."

John Malkovich, a versatile actor and creative force, was born December 9, 1953, in Christopher, Illinois. He possesses an unmatched skill for exploring character minds, delivering performances that grip audiences and move them. Malkovich built a career across decades, leaving a lasting mark on film and the stage. Malkovich started his path to stardom at Illinois State University, where he sharpened his skills under the guida.

Harry Anderson, a popular stage comic and street magician, transitioned to television in the early 1980s, becoming a well-known actor. Anderson gained recognition playing the eccentric Judge Harold T. Stone on the long-running courtroom comedy, "Night Court" (NBC, 1984-1992). He also appeared as newspaper columnist Dave Barry in the sitcom "Dave's World" (CBS 1993-97). Harry Anderson was born October 14, 1952, in Newport, RI. His childhood was very unusual. His father, a traveling sales...

Burt Reynolds, born Burton Leon Reynolds Jr. on February 11, 1936, became an iconic American film figure. His versatile acting and charismatic presence left a mark. Reynolds played football in Lansing, Michigan, earning a scholarship to Florida State University. Injuries shifted his focus to acting. He began his career in the late 1950s with small television parts. Reynolds broke through in 1972 starring in Deliverance, a film that showed his skill portraying complex...

Paul Reubens became famous for his character Pee-wee Herman, an eccentric, childlike persona in American pop culture. Paul Rubenfeld was born in 1952 in Peekskill, New York. Reubens pursued performing arts. He studied drama at Boston University. He later attended the California Institute of the Arts, building his acting career. Reubens joined the Los Angeles improv group, The Groundlings, in the 1970s. Pee-wee Herman originated there.

Bernadette Peters is an American actress and singer famous on Broadway. She performed across five decades. Bernadette Lazzara was born February 28, 1948, in Queens, New York. Peters showed talent early. She began as a child actress. She appeared on TV shows and stage productions. By age nine, she earned her Actors Equity Card. Her breakthrough came in 1968 starring in the musical Dames at Sea.