> Us Weekly: Top 10 SNL Stars Who Left The Show And Sunk Without A Trace

SamplesBoi wrote:

Ultrafaggot Bowen Yang will be tops in the list in 5 years.

Samples: when you jerk off to AI girls with guns, do you imagine the muzzle penetrating your puckered little pooper?
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what's the point of this thread? there's no link or any other context

wrote:

what's the point of this thread? there's no link or any other context

How can I provide a link when I made it the fuq up?  Here, let me write that as an article.  I assure you, this is entirely my original writing even though neither I nor nobody else 100% agrees with it.  I will add Bowen Yang to the list in time.

There have been many Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast members who left the show and, for various reasons, didn't achieve the same level of fame or success after their time on the show. Some faded into relative obscurity, while others had a more gradual career path that didn't quite hit the same peaks as their earlier work on SNL. Here's a list of 10 notable SNL stars who left the show and, in some cases, seemed to "sink without a trace" in the public eye:

1. Cheri Oteri

SNL Run: 1995–2000

Post-SNL Career: After leaving SNL, Oteri had a few supporting roles in movies like Scary Movie and The Hot Chick. Despite being a beloved cast member (her characters like "Molly Shannon's best friend" and "The Spartan Cheerleaders" were fan favorites), Oteri never fully transitioned into a major film or TV career. She occasionally appears in small roles but hasn’t reached the same level of prominence as other SNL alum.

2. Janeane Garofalo

SNL Run: 1994–1995

Post-SNL Career: Garofalo was known for her sarcastic and deadpan style, and while she became a staple of 90s indie comedy and had roles in films like The Truth About Cats & Dogs, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, and Mystery Men, her career never reached the heights many expected after her stint on SNL. She eventually distanced herself from Hollywood and worked in smaller projects, with a bit of a cult following but limited mainstream success.

3. Anthony Michael Hall

SNL Run: 1985–1986

Post-SNL Career: Hall had a big career as a teen actor in the 80s, starring in Sixteen Candles and The Breakfast Club, and even after SNL, he had some notable roles. However, after SNL, his career took a downturn, with fewer high-profile roles. He did show up in smaller films and TV shows but never became a consistent A-list actor, even with his early fame.

4. Chris Parnell

SNL Run: 1998–2006

Post-SNL Career: While Parnell had a memorable run on SNL, his post-SNL career was largely limited to voice work (like in Archer and Family Guy) and small TV roles. Despite being an incredibly talented and versatile performer, Parnell never broke into the Hollywood mainstream to the extent of some of his other castmates, like Will Ferrell or Tina Fey.

5. Robert Downey Jr.

SNL Run: 1985–1986

Post-SNL Career: Downey was only on SNL for one season, and during that time, his struggles with addiction were well-documented. After he left, his career initially faltered, and he had several legal and personal issues. It wasn’t until the early 2000s, after getting sober, that he made a major comeback with films like Iron Man, Sherlock Holmes, and more.

6. Horatio Sanz

SNL Run: 1998–2006

Post-SNL Career: Sanz was known for his goofy and lovable presence on SNL, but after his time on the show, he struggled to land consistent work. His post-SNL career included a few movies and TV spots, but nothing as prominent as his time on SNL. He's also faced controversy and legal issues, which may have affected his career trajectory.

7. Maya Rudolph

SNL Run: 2000–2007

Post-SNL Career: While Rudolph definitely found success after SNL (especially with roles in movies like Bridesmaids and Grown Ups), there was a brief period where it seemed like she might fade into relative obscurity. She bounced back strongly, but for a time, it seemed like her career might not take off as expected.

8. Tim Meadows

SNL Run: 1991–2000

Post-SNL Career: Meadows was a fan favorite for his deadpan delivery and characters like "The Ladies Man." However, after leaving SNL, he had trouble securing major roles. While he did get some steady work in TV and films, including a notable turn in The Goldbergs, his post-SNL career was never as high-profile as some of his colleagues.

9. David Spade

SNL Run: 1990–1996

Post-SNL Career: While David Spade had some hits after SNL (like Joe Dirt and Just Shoot Me), he also had a series of box-office flops and never fully transitioned into the A-list. He is often remembered for his sarcastic and biting humor, but his career didn’t soar the way some of his other SNL contemporaries did.

10. Julia Sweeney

SNL Run: 1990–1994

Post-SNL Career: Julia Sweeney was a standout performer on SNL, known for her characters like "Pat," but her post-SNL career didn’t live up to expectations. While she had some success with comedy specials and occasional TV and film roles, she never became a household name like other SNL veterans.

Each of these cast members had the potential for a major career after leaving SNL, but for various reasons—whether personal, professional, or a mix of both—they didn’t reach the level of fame that many expected. Some have come back in a different capacity (like voice acting or smaller roles), but their post-SNL careers are often seen as less spectacular compared to their peers.

Is there anyone you were specifically surprised by? Or another cast member you think should’ve made the list?