Dozens of Canada’s top entertainers have been on the show as hosts, cast members or musical guests. 

By: Anastasia Blosser

Since its first episode aired 47 seasons ago, Saturday Night Live has spent 90 minutes each week bringing comedy sketches to television. The skits often parody contemporary news, politics, and culture with a group of recurring cast members. Each episode also features a musical guest and celebrity host.

SNL was created by Torontonian producer and screenwriter, Lorne Michaels, in 1975. Michaels graduated from a constituent college of the University of Toronto with a degree in English and received an honorary degree from X University in 1999. His first work in broadcasting was at the CBC. Michaels has continued to produce Saturday Night Live since it first aired but took a five-year hiatus from the program in 1980.

Canada’s connection to the late-night sketch show doesn’t stop with Michaels. From Nova Scotia to British Columbia, dozens of Canada’s top entertainers have appeared as hosts, cast members or musical guests.

Jim Carrey

Hosted May 18, 1996, and Jan. 8, 2011

Comedian Jim Carrey hosted Saturday Night Live on May 18, 1996, and on Jan. 8, 2011. Born in Newmarket, a suburb of Toronto, the actor auditioned to be a cast member for seasons six and 11 but was not selected. Best known for films like The Truman Show and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Carrey last appeared on the show on Nov. 7, 2020, where he impersonated President Joe Biden.

Michael J. Fox

Hosted March 16, 1991

Born in Edmonton, Michael J. Fox hosted Saturday Night Live on March 16, 1991. The actor and producer is best known for his role as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy. Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 and retired from acting in 2020 due to his worsening health.

Mike Myers

Hosted March 22, 1997 / Cast member from Season 14 to Season 20

Scarborough native Mike Myers was a permanent cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1989 to 1995. During that time, he created the fan favourite character, Wayne Campbell. The character’s popularity later launched the actor into the full-length comedy film Wayne’s World and its sequel. Both were produced by Michaels. Myers later returned to host the show in 1997.

Sandra Oh

Hosted March 30, 2019

Sandra Oh is a Canadian American actress born in Ottawa. Most recognized for her portrayal of Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy and Eve Polastri on Killing Eve, she hosted the March 30, 2019 episode of Saturday Night Live. Oh used the opening monologue to celebrate her one-year anniversary of becoming an American citizen, referring to herself as “Asian Canadian American”.

Elliot Page

Hosted March 1, 2008

Elliot Page, best known for his work in Juno and The Umbrella Academy, hosted Saturday Night Live on March 1, 2008. Page is from Halifax. After coming out as queer and non-binary on Instagram in December 2020, they became the first openly trans man featured on the cover of Time magazine for the March 29 / April 5, 2021 issue.

Matthew Perry

Hosted Oct. 4, 1997

Matthew Perry hosted the Oct. 4, 1997 episode of Saturday Night Live. Born in Massachusetts and raised in Ottawa, Perry is best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the sitcom Friends. While hosting, he impersonated co-star Matt LeBlanc’s character Joey Tribbiani. Known for his sarcastic sense of humour, he also starred in Saturday Night Live’s infamous “Sarcasm 101” skit.

Ryan Reynolds

Hosted Oct. 3, 2009

Ryan Reynolds hosted Saturday Night Live on Oct. 3, 2009. Born in Vancouver, the actor is best known for films like Deadpool and The Proposal. Reynolds last made a surprise appearance on Saturday Night Live on Nov. 23, 2019, when host Will Ferrell pointed him out in the crowd during his opening monologue.

Martin Short

Hosted Dec. 6, 1986, Dec. 7, 1996, and Dec. 15, 2012 / Cast member from Season 10 to Season 11

Born in Hamilton, Ont., Martin Short was a cast member of Saturday Night Live from 1984 to 1985. The actor and comedian graduated from McMaster University with a BA in social work. Best known for his roles in Father of the Bride and Three Amigos, Short hosted Saturday Night Live on Dec. 6, 1986, Dec. 7, 1996, and Dec.15, 2012. He is currently starring in and producing Only Murders in the Building.

Bowen Yang

Cast Member from Season 45 to the present

Bowen Yang is an American comedian who grew up in a suburb of Montreal. After two years as a writer, he joined Saturday Night Live as a cast member in 2019, becoming the show’s first Chinese and third openly gay male cast member. In 2021, Yang was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He is the first featured player to ever be nominated.

Simu Liu

Hosted Nov. 20, 2021

Actor and stuntman Simu Liu hosted SNL early in the show’s 47th season. Best known for the character of Jung in Kim’s Convenience and the titular role in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Liu was born in China but moved to Canada at a young age. Raised in Mississauga, Ont., Liu worked as an accountant before pursuing fame. While on Saturday Night Live, he jokingly competed with Yang to see who could collect the most ridiculous “First Asian” awards.