When Did Bill Hader and Kristen Wiig Join SNL’s Repertory Cast? All about Season 32
Season 32 memorably brought a new face to the "Weekend Update" desk and continued the success of SNL Digital Shorts.
Saturday Night Live's Season 32 was marked by both change and stability. The show had seen the departures of Tina Fey, Rachel Dratch, Chris Parnell, Horatio Sanz and Finesse Mitchell, but were bringing back such mainstays as Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph and Fred Armisen. And, while they didn't bring aboard any new faces, producers did promote Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg, and Jason Sudeikis from the featured cast to repertory players, in the process spotlighting some of the most beloved performers in SNL history.
The season, which kicked off September 30, 2006, marked the first time Seth Meyers anchored "Weekend Update" alongside Amy Poehler, signaled Sudeikis’ first time impersonating George W. Bush, and continued the success of the SNL Digital Shorts, debuting the racy Christmas hit “D*** in a Box” when Justin Timberlake came to host in December of that year.
RELATED: SNL's "Mom Jeans" Was Inspired by Tina Fey's Experience at a Store in 30 Rock
Who was in SNL's Season 32 cast?
Fred Armisen
Fred Armisen found comedy later in life. He was a punk rock drummer before moving to Los Angeles in 2000 at the age of 33 to give stand-up a try, according to a profile in The Ringer. Two years later, he landed on SNL as a featured player in Season 28.
After his rise to fame, Armisen became a beloved fixture on the show for 11 seasons. During his time on the sketch comedy show, Armisen created a series of memorable original characters, including Ian Rubbish, the lead singer of a punk band, Stuart from the recurring soap operatic sketch “The Californians,” rude Regine, and Garth, one half of the perpetually unprepared singing group "Garth and Kat," also featuring Kristen Wiig. He also delivered uncanny impersonations of Michael Bloomberg, Lawrence Welk, David Paterson, and Michael Wolff.
After leaving SNL in 2013, Armisen went on to become the co-creator and star of the popular IFC sketch comedy series Portlandia, alongside comedy partner Carrie Brownstein, and teamed once again with fellow SNL alums Bill Hader and Seth Meyers to create the mockumentary television series Documentary Now! Armisen, who has a long list of other film and television credits to his name, hasn’t forgotten his musical roots and was the band leader for the Late Night with Seth Meyers house band.
Will Forte
Will Forte began his career as a financial broker before deciding to follow in the footsteps of his childhood idols and give comedy a try, according to Hollywood Insider. As his comedy career progressed, Forte earned writing credits on The Jenny McCarthy Show and Late Show with David Letterman, before the Groundlings alum landed a job with SNL in its 28th season.
Forte — who spent eight seasons on the show before leaving after Season 35 — was known for his characters Ken Mortimer, also known as "The Falconer," his impressions of President George W. Bush, and Andy, a character known for his dramatic “Ohhhh, Noooo!” catchphrase. Forte’s "MacGruber," a parody of the hero in television’s MacGyver, was so successful it resulted in its own 2010 movie and an original TV series on Peacock.
After leaving SNL, Forte helped create and star in Fox’s apocalyptic comedy The Last Man on Earth, earning him three Emmy nominations, one for writing and two for acting, during the show’s four seasons. He also showed another side to his acting abilities when he took on the dramatic role of David Grant in the critically-acclaimed movie Nebraska. The versatile actor has also done extensive voicework, including providing the voice of Shaggy Rogers in the movie Scoob! and providing the voice of Abe Lincoln in Clone High.
Bill Hader
Bill Hader, a native of Oklahoma, joined the SNL cast in 2005 as a featured player in Season 31 after spending his early days in Hollywood working as a production assistant and perfecting his comedy skills.
During his tenure on the show, Hader received four Emmy nominations and helped create some iconic characters, including frequent "Weekend Update" guest Stefon, a flamboyant New York tour guide offering one-of-a-kind recommendations in the city, and tortured puppeteer Anthony Peter Coleman. He also earned praise for his long list of celebrity impersonations, including Al Pacino, Charlie Sheen, Vincent Price, Lindsey Buckingham, James Carville, and Dateline reporter Keith Morrison.
Hader left SNL in 2013, though he’s returned to host the sketch comedy show twice. Since his departure, Hader has gone on to star in the film The Skeleton Twins with SNL alum Kristen Wiig, helped create the mockumentary television series Documentary Now!, and went on to write, direct, and act in the HBO comedy series Barry, for which he earned two Emmys.
Darrell Hammond
As one of the longest running cast members to ever appear on SNL, Darrell Hammond made his mark as a talented impressionist who could mimic everyone from powerful politicians to well-known celebrities.
During his time as a cast member on SNL from 1995 to 2009, Hammond wowed audiences with his impressions of political elite like Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Dick Cheney, and Donald Trump. He also embodied celebrities like Sean Connery, Ted Koppel, Phil Donahue, Clint Eastwood, and William Shatner during his long tenure on the show.
Although Hammond left SNL in 2009 at the end of Season 34, he remains a fixture on the show today. Hammond took over duties as the SNL announcer in 2014.
RELATED: SNL's "Debbie Downer: Disney World" with Lindsay Lohan Was a Chaotic Instant Classic
Seth Meyers
Before he was the host of his own late night talk show, Seth Meyers had a long tenure on SNL. Meyers joined the show in 2001 as a writer and cast member, ultimately becoming the show’s head writer in 2006.
Many fans likely remember Meyers as the anchor of "Weekend Update," a position he held on the show for eight years after premiering on the news desk in Season 32. However, Meyers also created some memorable original characters as well, including the Appalachian ER receptionist, comedian Boston Powers, prankster Zach Ricky, scientist David “Zinger” Clinger, and Dan Needler, one half of a couple who should be divorced. He also did a series of notable impressions including Michael Caine in The Adventures of Peter O’Toole and Michael Caine, Anderson Cooper, Prince Charles, and Kevin Federline.
Meyers left SNL mid-season in 2014 to helm Late Night with Seth Meyers. Amid his late night hosting responsibilities, Meyers released the comedy special Lobby Baby in 2019, which was later nominated for an Emmy for outstanding writing in a variety special, and released his first picture book I’m Not Scared, You’re Scared in 2022.
Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler may be one of the most influential female comedians of her generation, but she’s also helped foster a future generation of comedy talent. Poehler, who got her start touring with Chicago’s famed Second City alongside SNL alum Tina Fey, and joined the Upright Citizens Brigade, a well-known training and performance institution. Poehler was among a small group of UCB members who took the troupe to New York City in 1996.
Poehler made her way to SNL in 2001 where she memorably served as a co-anchor of "Weekend Update," first with Fey and then with Meyers. Poehler also never failed to deliver the laughs with her long list of recurring characters including "Bronx Beat’"s Betty Caruso, hyperactive child Kaitlyn, and Sally Needler. The Massachusetts native was also known for her impersonations of Hillary Clinton, Dakota Fanning, Jenna Bush, and Michael Jackson during her time on the show.
After leaving SNL in 2008, Poehler portrayed dedicated government employee Leslie Knope for seven seasons on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, winning a Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy in 2014. Poehler and Fey have hilariously co-hosted the award show numerous times. Poehler’s list of movie credits also include the comedy Baby Mama, Wet Hot American Summer, Inside Out, and Inside Out 2.
Maya Rudolph
Maya Rudolph may have made a name for herself in comedy, but she got her start in the ‘90s indie rock group The Rentals, following in the footsteps of her late musician mom Minnie Riperton, People reported. Rudolph ultimately decided to pursue comedy, joining the famed comedy troupe the Groundlings before finding her way to SNL in 2000.
Rudolph remained a cast member on the show through 2007, but has frequently returned to host and guest star, most recently impersonating Vice President Kamala Harris. Rudolph’s on-point impersonation skills were also on full display during her time as a cast member when she memorably played Oprah Winfrey, Beyoncé Knowles, Donatella Versace, and Whitney Houston, just to name a few. During her tenure, Rudolph also played Jodi Dietz on "Bronx Beat" opposite Poehler, Gemini’s Twin member Brittanica, and boy-crazy Megan from "Wake Up Wakefield!"
Rudolph’s career hasn’t slowed since leaving SNL. In the years after her departure, Rudolph starred in the blockbuster comedy Bridesmaids, had a recurring role in the NBC comedy The Good Place, co-starred in the sketch comedy show Maya & Marty alongside Martin Short, and most recently appeared in the comedy series Loot.
Andy Samberg
California native Andy Samberg found fame alongside his high school buddies, rocketing to fame just as the power of YouTube was becoming more evident. After college, Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone formed the Lonely Island comedy troupe. Their work and comedy videos soon got the attention of SNL producers, who invited them in for an audition.
Samberg was hired as a featured cast member in Season 31, while Schaffer and Taccone landed writing jobs on the show that same year. The trio were behind one of SNL’s first Digital Shorts later that season, the hugely popular rap “Lazy Sunday.” In Season 32, they added the holiday classic “D*** in a Box” featuring Samberg and Justin Timberlake, to the mix. Aside from the SNL Digital Shorts, Samberg also made a name for himself during his time on SNL playing celebrity account Mort Mort Feinberg, rapper Blizzard Man, and impersonating Nicolas Cage.
Samberg left SNL in 2012 and went on to play detective Jake Peralta in the comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine. He’s also appeared in Palm Springs, Never Have I Ever, and provided voicework for the Hotel Transylvania films.
RELATED: How Christopher Walken "Truly Surprised" Will Ferrell During SNL's "More Cowbell" Sketch
Jason Sudeikis
Jason Sudeikis, once a founding member of The Second City Las Vegas, was first hired onto SNL as a writer in 2003. Two years later, he’d join the cast as a featured player before ultimately being promoted to a repertory player in Season 32.
During his nine-season run on SNL, Sudeikis memorably portrayed political heavyweights Joe Biden, George W. Bush and Mitt Romney. Sudeikis, who grew up in Kansas and is the nephew of Cheers actor George Wendt, was also known for his original characters like ESPN commentator Pete Twinkle, the Devil, and one-half of the “Two A-Holes” couple alongside Wiig.
Sudeikis left the show in 2013, although he returned for a number of cameos and a hosting gig in 2021. Sudeikis, who has appeared in films like Horrible Bosses, Hall Pass, and We’re the Millers, also famously played the titular character in the sports comedy Ted Lasso, a role he received an Emmy for in 2021 and 2022. He also received nominations for his writing on the comedy and took home an Emmy for outstanding comedy series in 2021 and 2022 as an executive producer.
Kenan Thompson
Former Nickelodeon star Kenan Thompson holds the distinctive title of being the longest running cast member on SNL, appearing on the show for a staggering 21 seasons and counting. Thompson rose to fame as a child actor in the early ‘90s, first on the Nickelodeon hit All That and then on his own sitcom Kenan & Kel, alongside comedy partner Kel Mitchell. The pair also appeared in the movie Good Burger.
Thompson moved to SNL as a featured player in 2003 during Season 29 and was later promoted to repertory player status in Season 31. Thompson, who remains on the show today, has created a series of long-standing characters including "Scared Straight" inmate Lorenzo McIntosh, Diner Lobster, “Black Jeopardy” host Darnell Hayes, "What Up With That?" host Diondre Cole, along with offering up an impeccable impersonation of Steve Harvey.
Outside of SNL, Thompson recently appeared in the 2023 film Good Burger 2 and had guest appearances on the TV series Chucky, Bupkis, and The Kids in the Hall. He also starred for two seasons on the NBC sitcom Kenan.
Kristen Wiig
Rounding out the Season 32 cast was Kristen Wiig. Wiig dropped out of college in Arizona to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles, eventually landing with the comedy troupe the Groundlings, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Wiig joined SNL in 2005 as a featured player and was promoted to repertory player status the next year in Season 32. Wiig quickly became a beloved fixture on the sketch comedy show with her original characters like the Target Lady, Surprise Sue, singing sister Dooneese, mischievous child "Gilly," Kat from the singing duo "Garth and Kat," and travel writer Judy Grimes, known for her “just kidding” catchphrase.
While at SNL, Wiig co-wrote and starred in the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids, earning an Oscar nomination for best original screenplay. She left the show the following year and has gone on to star in The Skeleton Key, Zoolander 2, Ghostbusters, Downsizing, and Wonder Woman 1984. Most recently, she starred as the lead in the TV series Palm Royale.
