Saturday Night Liveoften makes a big deal over celebrities hosting on multiple occasions. This achievement is even celebrated on the show as the exclusive “Five Timers' Club,” which most recently has been earned by comedian John Mulaney and actor Paul Rudd. However, some stars aren’t lucky enough to host even once.
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SNLhas been a centerpiece of pop culture since its premiere in 1975. Sadly, some famous actors, musicians, and athletes have never appeared on the show in over forty seasons. Others have made appearances, but never as the week’s guest host. These are some of the most surprising celebrities to never have the opportunity.
10Denzel Washington
In his four-decade-long career, there isn’t much that Denzel Washington hasn’t accomplished. The actor has his roots in theater, which have since translated intoa long catalog of dramatic work. Despite his strictly serious filmography, Denzel is one of the most charismatic actors on screen, often providing levity to his dark projects.
Still, Denzel has never appeared on the hit sketch comedy show even once. On the other hand, hisPhiladelphiaco-star, Tom Hanks, has hosted a total of ten times. Hopefully, the door’s not closed on Denzel hosting, and given the success of his recent filmThe Tragedy of Macbeth, it’s possible he’ll have many more chances.
9Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie was one of the most bankable movie stars in the late 90s and early 2000s. She truly became a legend in dramatic roles likeGirl, InterruptedandChangeling. She also has a long career in blockbuster action movies such as theTomb Raiderfranchise, and most recently the MCU filmEternals.
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However, like Denzel, Jolie has also never appeared on-screen in an episode ofSaturday Night Live. She has, however, been the subject of impressions by former cast members Abby Elliott and Molly Shannon. Perhaps her continued role in the Marvel movies will give her the chance to try out sketch comedy sometime soon.
8Sacha Baron Cohen
When it comes to comedy, no one has proven more divisive than Sacha Baron Cohen. The English comedian first gained notoriety for his character Ali G, buthe became a mainstream success with his 2006 filmBorat. Elsewhere, he’s flexed his creative muscles with a dramatic turn in Aaron Sorkin’sThe Trial of the Chicago 7.
Unlike the previous entries in this list, however, Sacha Baron Cohen is no stranger toSaturday Night Live. He famously appeared in a cold open as Borat around the time of the movie’s release. He also made a Weekend Update appearance as his character fromThe Dictator. However, he has yet to commit to a full hosting gig.
7Elizabeth Olsen
Some up-and-coming actors just seem like perfect fits for the comedy stylings ofSNL. Among them, it’s surprising that Elizabeth Olsen hasn’t gotten a shot to host the show thus far. She’s become a high-profile star following her role as Wanda Maximoff in the MCU,especially after the critically-acclaimedWandaVision.
It seemed as if Olsen would perhaps make her hosting debut to promoteDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. However, a recent announcement indicates that duty will go to the film’s star, Benedict Cumberbatch, for his second time hosting. Hopefully, Olsen’s busy schedule allows her to shine on NBC sometime soon.
6Keanu Reeves
It’s almost baffling that Keanu Reeves has not hostedSaturday Night Liveyet. The show’s choice of hosts tends to favor high-profile, relevant stars, which is an all-too-accurate description of Reeves' career. He became a breakout star following theBill & Tedmovies and has only seen greater success since.
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Keanu shot to legendary status among action stars with his iconic role as Neo in theMatrixfranchise. He even reprised the role in the recent rebootThe Matrix Resurrections. Keanu’s career has also resurged thanks to theJohn Wickmovies, which proves he still has the physical ability at his age to handle anSNLhosting gig.
5Serena Williams
Saturday Night Livehas seen its fair share of athletes take on sketch comedy in the past. Among them are Peyton & Eli Manning, Charles Barkley, and even O.J. Simpson. Surprisingly, one high-profile athlete who has not given comedy a try is Serena Williams, one of the greatest tennis champions in the world.
Serena and her sister Venus are no strangers to Hollywood, either, as they helped promote the filmKing Richard, a biopic of their father. The film was even nominated at the Oscars, thoughtheir victories were a bit overshadowed at the ceremony. Perhaps Serena getting to host would be a redemption for the film of some sort.
4Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk owes a lot toSaturday Night Live. The comedian was a writer on the show in the early 90s, penning iconic sketches like “Van Down By The River.” He later got to step in front of the camera alongside his comedy partner David Cross in the cult programMr. Show. In recent years, Odenkirk’s star has only grown larger.
Odenkirk is nowadays recognized for his role as Saul Goodman on the hit showBreaking Bad. Odenkirk’s performance was so good that the character got his own prequel inBetter Call Saul. Given thatthe spin-off is entering its final season, Odenkirk would be a perfect first-time host for the current season’s final episodes.
3Sandra Bullock
Sandra Bullock has an incredibly diverse career, becoming one of the highest-paid actresses in 2010 and 2014. Her breakout role was in the 1994 filmSpeed, but she received further acclaim for roles in films likeThe ProposalandThe Blind Side. The latter even earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
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Many Best Actress winners in the past have made their SNL hosting debuts, including Kate Winslet, Brie Larson, and Halle Berry. Bullock has even acted in her fair share of comedies, such asOcean’s 8, or more recentlyThe Lost City. She’d be the perfect host to appeal to both young audiences and older generations alike.
2Leonardo DiCaprio
In lists of the greatest actors of all time, Leonardo DiCaprio is often among them. The actor started young, appearing in films such asRomeo + JulietandTitanic. In recent years, he’s only had more and more success in films directed by Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino. However, the actor has never hostedSNLin all those years.
DiCaprio did, however, get a special moment on the stage of 30 Rock. He made a cameo appearance in a monologue by Jonah Hill, his co-star inThe Wolf of Wall Street. After reminding Jonah to remain humble, the two re-enact a scene fromTitanicbefore DiCaprio has the honor of telling audiences that they’ll be right back.
1Beyonce
This is perhaps the most surprising celebrity to never hostSaturday Night Live. Beyonce is, without a doubt, one of the biggest stars on planet Earth.She’s even appeared on the show numerous times as a musical guest, half of them being with Destiny’s Child. Even nowadays, Beyonce would be a guaranteed perfect host.
The singer has a background in comedy, co-starring withSNLalum Mike Myers in the thirdAustin Powersmovie. She also appeared in a sketch of her iconic “Single Ladies” video, with Justin Timberlake, Andy Samberg, and Bobby Moynihan as her dancers. It’s time the pop icon reminds audiences how natural a comedian she is.
