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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Top Saturday Night Live Alums

Stars who made it big after the show

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(Newser) – Not all Saturday Night Live alums go on to bigger and better things after leaving the show. Time pronounces the top 10 who did.

  • Will Ferrell has come a long way since those cheerleader sketches. His latest flick, Land of the Lost, opens today (and judging from the reviews, it's a good thing he already has an enthusiastic fan base).
  • Janeane Garofalo and Sarah Silverman didn't last long on SNL, but that hasn't mattered much since.

  • John Belushi: The Blues Brother made his mark despite his early death.
  • Chevy Chase and Bill Murray were household names then, and they're household names now.
  • Chris Rock and Eddie Murphy both went on to win Grammys and dominate screens both big and small.
  • Tina Fey dabbles in political impersonations when she's not writing and starring in her network show.
  • Al Franken, aka Stuart Smalley, may soon be the junior senator from Minnesota.

Al Franken talks with reporters in Minneapolis on April 13, 2009.
Al Franken talks with reporters in Minneapolis on April 13, 2009.   (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Tina Fey holds the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her work on
Tina Fey holds the award for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series for her work on "30 Rock" at the Emmy Awards on Sept. 21, 2008, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)
Will Ferrell, left, Anna Friel, center, and Danny McBride are shown in a scene from
Will Ferrell, left, Anna Friel, center, and Danny McBride are shown in a scene from "Land of the Lost."   (AP Photo/Universal Pictures)
Comedian Chris Rock talks to spectators at an NBA game between the Pacers and Knicks on Jan. 2, 2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Comedian Chris Rock talks to spectators at an NBA game between the Pacers and Knicks on Jan. 2, 2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
Eddie Murphy talks with Sylvester Stallone as the Boston Celtics play the Los Angeles Lakers on June 10, 2008, in Los Angeles.
Eddie Murphy talks with Sylvester Stallone as the Boston Celtics play the Los Angeles Lakers on June 10, 2008, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Chevy Chase attends a screening of
Chevy Chase attends a screening of "Stay Cool" during the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival on April 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)
Bill Murray tips his hat to the gallery during the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Feb. 12, 2009.
Bill Murray tips his hat to the gallery during the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Feb. 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Sarah Silverman leaves a taping of the
Sarah Silverman leaves a taping of the "Late Show With David Letterman" on Oct. 13, 2008, in New York.   (AP Photo/Brian McDermott)
Janeane Garofalo arrives at the premiere of
Janeane Garofalo arrives at the premiere of "Ratatouille" on June 22, 2007, in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
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5 comments
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Collusive
Jun 5, 09 2:56 PM CDT
what about adam sandler? love him or hate him he defined the second half of the 90's. also, robert downey jr. has done much better than silverman and garafolo. Reply
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+1
paul123
Jun 5, 09 3:34 PM CDT
bill murray, eddie murphy, adam sandler, dan akroyd, belushi....i like the old school casts much better. Reply
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0
Observer
Jun 5, 09 4:28 PM CDT
Mike Meyers, Dana Carvey, David Spade and Phil Hartman need to be on this list. Reply
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+1
Forderon
Jun 5, 09 4:43 PM CDT
Where the hell is Chris Farley? Every SNL fan should read this book: http://www.amazon.com/Live-New-York-Uncensored-Saturday/dp/0316781460 Reply
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+1
DeniseVB
Jun 5, 09 8:12 PM CDT
Also, Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr, Conan O'Brien, Julia Louis-Drefus, Billy Crystal ? They haven't done too shabby ! Reply
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