The Jewish people have long dominated American comedy. This relationship dates all the way back to the early 20th century and continues today.
For half a century, “Saturday Night Live” has been the undisputed king of late-night sketch comedy, and at the heart of its legacy is a comedic tradition deeply shaped by Jewish talent. From its earliest days, SNL has been a showcase for Jewish writers, performers, and producers who have redefined satire, observational humor, and cultural commentary. From Gilda Radner’s unforgettable characters to Adam Sandler’s iconic “Chanukah Song” and creator Lorne Michaels’ legendary vision behind the scenes, Jewish humor has been woven into the DNA of the show.
On Sunday, the show celebrated its 50th anniversary with a three-hour special that featured today’s Jewish stars — Sarah Sherman and Chloe Fineman — but also featured cast members of years past.
Let’s unpack the best Jewish moments and cast members of “Saturday Night Live.”
“Saturday Night Live” was built by Jewish comedians
For nearly 50 years, “Saturday Night Live” has been the beating heart of American comedy — and at its core, it’s always had a distinctly Jewish rhythm. From its inception, SNL has been built by Jewish minds, shaped by Jewish humor, and propelled by the wit, neuroses, and cultural commentary that define so much of Jewish comedy.
Before he was the legendary Lorne Michaels, he was Lorne Lipowitz, a Jewish kid from Toronto, and his first writing staff was packed with Jewish talent, from Rosie Shuster to Al Franken and Alan Zweibel.
Even on-screen, the original Not Ready for Prime Time Players — the original seven members of the “Saturday Night Live” cast featured Jewish comedic powerhouses like Gilda Radner and Laraine Newman.
The new movie “Saturday Night” that details SNL’s birth — leans into the Jewishness of the show and its humor.
Newman recounted a 1976 Passover seder the cast hosted in studio 8H when Franken proposed they buy sandwiches and fries from Pastrami ‘n’ Things, a deli in the lobby of 30 Rock.
“Paul Shaffer was our ‘abba’ (father) and it was right. What I wasn’t prepared for was how well he knew his stuff. It just seemed so antithetical to his hipness,” Newman said. “Some of the swingin’ cats from the Saturday Night Live Band wandered in and I was flabbergasted when Alan ‘Mr. Fabulous’ Rubin (our trumpet player) recited Hebrew without missing a step.”
The seder included Bill Murray improvising his own versions of “Dayenu” and “Let My People Go,” a search for the afikomen around the studio, and some “not so bitter herbs” that caused Newman and Radner to dance on the table.
Unpacked’s favorite Jewish “Saturday Night Live” sketches
“The Chanukah Song” — Season 20, Episode 7 (Dec. 3, 1994)
Back in 1994, a young Adam Sandler took to “Weekend Update” with a guitar in hand and a mission: to give Jewish kids everywhere a holiday anthem of their own. Tired of hearing Christmas songs on repeat, he delivered The Chanukah Song, complete with a now-iconic chorus: “So, put on your yarmulke, it’s time to celebrate Hanukkah!” Instantly, it became a seasonal staple.
With his signature humor and a catchy melody, Sandler turned the song into a star-studded Jewish roll call, dropping names like David Lee Roth, James Caan, Kirk Douglas, and even “all three Stooges.” He even gave a shout out to the half-Jewish icons — Paul Newman and Goldie Hawn — playfully declaring, “Put them together, what a fine-looking Jew!”
The result? A hilarious, feel-good hit that not only had people laughing but also gave Jewish viewers a reason to sing along and celebrate their heritage with pride.
Eddie Murphy’s Jewish ghost — Season 8, Episode 9 (Dec. 11, 1982)
Eddie Murphy, as both host and cast member, absolutely nails a ghostly impression of an old Jewish man haunting his new Long Island home — except this spectral visitor has a habit of hurling racial slurs at him in Yiddish. Fast-forward a few years to his 1988 classic “Coming to America,” and Murphy dusts off the same voice, this time transforming into Saul, the lovable, kvetching Jewish barbershop regular.
Babra Streisand’s “Coffee Talk” cameo — Season 17, Episode 14 (Feb. 22, 1992)
Mike Myers may not be Jewish (though fun fact: Gilda Radner once played his mom in a commercial when he was just 10), but that didn’t stop him from creating one of the most iconic Jewish SNL characters of all time: The fabulous, endlessly verklempt Linda Richman. And let’s be honest — her legendary meeting with her hero, Barbra Streisand, was pure comedy gold. Babs must’ve recovered from Laraine Newman’s hilariously savage impression of her back in 1977!
Gilda Radner’s “Jewess Jeans” — Season 5, Episode 11 (Feb. 16, 1980)
Radner’s Rhonda Weiss set the standard for the Jewish American Princess trope, serving up both comedy and undeniable style. She was part of a bigger effort by Radner and SNL writer Marilyn Suzanne Miller to bring Jewish women into the spotlight — glamorous, hilarious, and unapologetically themselves. When Miller was recently asked which SNL character deserved their own movie, she didn’t hesitate with her answer:
“Rhonda Weiss, who I wrote for Gilda. A Jewish girl, her name was a sorority sister’s of mine; not sure why I thought I had the right to use her real name. Jewish women were and are not represented in the history of American film. It would have been very interesting to see what would have happened to her. The idea of centering a film around a typical kind of Jewish girl that existed then would have been more than terrific. Until Barbra Streisand, there were not a lot of Jewish women who were attractive and multifaceted, and you could go at them in a million ways. It wasn’t done and still hasn’t been, really. She was attractive — Gilda and I both felt like Jewish women, while they’re not Annette Funicello or Sandra Dee, they’re women too.”
“Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy” — Season 36, Episode 12 (Jan. 15, 2011)
If you’ve ever met a Jewish kid nervously gearing up for their bar mitzvah, then you already know Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy. Vanessa Bayer’s delightfully awkward character first popped up on SNL in 2011 and quickly became a “Weekend Update” staple. With his neatly combed hair, buttoned-up demeanor, and an endless supply of Jewish factoids, Jacob is always ready to educate the audience — whether they’re interested or not.
Armed with a rigidly scripted speech, he rattles off everything from the importance of Shabbat to Jewish holidays, tossing in some delightfully corny one-liners along the way. Case in point: “Shabbat is the traditional day of rest, from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday. I mean, I’ve heard of recess, but this is ridiculous!” Or his take on creation: “On the first day, God said let there be light, and on the second day, he said, let there be Derek Jeter and the New York Yankees.” No matter how hard the “Weekend Update” anchors try to get him to loosen up, Jacob sticks to his script like his bar mitzvah depends on it.
One of his most memorable moments came when Billy Crystal showed up as Jacob’s dad — who, surprise, turned out to be just as hilariously stiff and rehearsed as his son.
“Jewish Elvis” — Season 48, Episode 9 (Dec. 17, 2022)
When Austin Butler hosted SNL in 2022 to promote his “Elvis” biopic, everyone assumed he’d be doing an Elvis impression at some point. What they didn’t expect was “Jewish Elvis,” played by the always-hilarious Sarah Sherman.
The sketch is set on the first night of Hanukkah at a retirement home, where a group of very excited old ladies — including Butler in full drag — are eagerly awaiting the night’s entertainment. Enter Jewish Elvis, complete with a bedazzled belt covered in Stars of David, a matching necklace, and a whole lot of kvetching. “I’m schvitzing like a hound dog!” he complains, wiping his brow between songs.
Jewish Elvis isn’t just about the music — he’s also got a classic Borscht Belt comedic streak, throwing out lines like, “Wise men say… who are these wise men? Why are they so wise?” as he croons his way through Presley’s greatest hits. The King of Rock and Roll gets a uniquely Jewish twist, and while the retirement home crowd eats it up, you definitely don’t have to be an old bubbe to appreciate the brilliance of Jewish Elvis.
“Hanukkah Harry” — Season 15, Episode 9, (Dec. 16, 1989)
When Santa’s out of commission, who comes to save the holiday spirit? None other than Hanukkah Harry! Played by the always-hilarious Jon Lovitz, this unlikely hero made his SNL debut in 1989, proving that when Christmas needs a backup, a kindhearted Jewish guy with a long beard and a blue yarmulke is up for the job.
In his first appearance, Santa is bedridden with the flu, leaving Christmas in jeopardy. But fear not — Hanukkah Harry arrives, riding in with his trusty trio of donkeys (Moische, Herschel, and Schlomo) instead of a flashy reindeer squad. And while his presents may not be the stuff of childhood dreams — think sensible gifts like socks and pants — he delivers them with warmth, enthusiasm, and just a little bit of Jewish guilt.
But Hanukkah Harry’s generosity isn’t limited to Christmas. He even shows up in an Easter sketch, stepping in for the Easter Bunny and making sure kids get some festive treats — Passover-style, of course. Instead of chocolate eggs, he hands out macaroons and chocolate matzah, because nothing says holiday magic like unleavened snacks. Whether it’s Christmas, Easter, or any other occasion, Hanukkah Harry is always ready to spread a little joy (and maybe remind you to wear a sweater).
“Jewish Willy Wonka” — Season 37, Episode 3 (Oct. 8, 2011)
Ben Stiller’s monologue takes an unexpected turn when he’s whisked away by none other than Jewish Willy Wonka (Andy Samberg), who unveils a whimsical world where deli dreams come true. “It’s every taste you’ve ever imagined,” Jewish Wonka proclaims, “from salty to fishy!”
What follows is a show-stopping parody of Pure Imagination, reimagined as an ode to Jewish cuisine:
“Come with me, and you’ll be in a world of pure imagination,
Take a look, and you’ll see into your imagination.
There is no food I know to compare with good delicatessen,
If it’s bad, that’s good too, ’cause it’s also fun complaining.”
As the song unfolds, Stiller explores a fairytale land decorated with braided challahs, towering tubs of matzah ball soup, and pickles—both half-sours and full-sours, as Samberg proudly notes. Bobby Moynihan waddles around dressed as a massive lox bagel, while another cast member parades as a giant pickle.
At the heart of it all sits an enormous vat of matzah ball soup, which Stiller eagerly samples—only to declare it the worst soup he’s ever had. But, of course, that’s part of the charm. “I could get better soup from a can!” he kvetches, grinning ear to ear.
When Stiller finally asks, “Who makes all this food?” Samberg answers with a shrug: “Oh, I have an army of little men.”
“Oompa Loompas?” Stiller guesses.
“No,” Samberg deadpans. “Just regular Jewish guys.”
The first Hanukkah candle lighting — Season 3, Episode 7 ( Dec. 10, 1977)
Here’s a fun piece of SNL history: the show may have been the first to feature a menorah lighting on national television. And who do we have to thank for this milestone? None other than the legendary Gilda Radner.
In a 1977 sketch, Radner and John Belushi play a Jewish couple hosting Hanukkah dinner for Belushi’s boss (Bill Murray) and his wife (Mary Kay Place), who are… let’s just say, not exactly up to speed on Jewish traditions. But that doesn’t stop Radner’s character from going all in — she sets up the menorah, tells the story of the Maccabees, lights the candles, and recites the Hanukkah blessing. Even Murray’s clueless-but-curious character gets a little choked up by the moment.
While the sketch isn’t necessarily laugh-out-loud funny, it stands out for something even better — bringing an authentic and heartfelt piece of Jewish culture to a massive audience. And for that, it earns its spot in SNL history.
“Jew Not a Jew” — Season 14, Episode 1 (Oct. 8, 1988)
In this quirky game show spoof, Tom Hanks hosts as two non-Jewish families try their luck at guessing which celebrities are Jewish. The sketch briefly touches on matrilineal descent but ultimately takes a broad approach — if there’s any Jewish ancestry, it counts!
Though it raised some eyebrows at the time, Al Franken later defended the bit, noting that it played into a long-running cultural pastime: figuring out who’s Jewish. It’s a tradition that traces back to Lenny Bruce’s famous Jewish vs. Goyish routine and every time your parents learn about a new celebrity.
“This You Call a Wonderful Life?” — Season 36, Episode 10 (Dec. 18, 2010)
Imagine if one of the most iconic Christmas movies of all time got a Jewish makeover. That’s exactly what SNL did in 2010 with their parody of “It’s a Wonderful Life” — except this version, supposedly the original, was titled “This You Call a Wonderful Life?”
The sketch kicks off with a Turner Classic Movies host revealing that before George Bailey’s story became a Christmas classic, it was actually a Hanukkah film. But instead of the uplifting finale where the whole town rallies to save George from financial ruin, this version takes a much more realistic turn. When George’s uncle misplaces $8,000 and the bank examiner comes knocking, the community doesn’t exactly come to the rescue. Instead, they show up at the Bailey home deeply stressed — but at least they bring food. Out come the rugelach, babka, and lox spread, setting the stage for what turns into an epic, highly opinionated debate about the best delis in town.
According to the host, this deli discourse originally lasted a whopping 43 minutes. Because, let’s be honest, what’s a Jewish gathering without a heated argument about where to get the best pastrami?
“Christmastime for the Jews” — Season 31, Episode 9 (Dec. 17, 2005)
For many Jewish people, Christmas can feel like a holiday that’s happening for everyone else. Enter SNL’s 2005 classic, “Christmastime for the Jews” — a delightfully over-the-top anthem that turns December 25 into a night of pure Jewish joy.
Sung by the legendary Darlene Love and brought to life with charming stop-motion animation, the song flips the Christmas experience on its head. While gentiles are tucked away indoors celebrating with their families, Love belts out that it’s “the night the Jews control the town.” And what does that mean? Unlimited fun—hitting the movies with zero lines, feasting at Chinatown restaurants, blasting Barbra Streisand at full volume, and reveling in the one night of the year when the world is (almost) theirs.
Styled like a classic claymation Christmas special, the sketch playfully reminds us that even if you don’t celebrate the holiday, Christmas can still be a magical time — especially if you lean into the unique traditions that come with it.
Who are all the current and former Jewish cast members of “Saturday Night Live?”
Vanessa Bayer (2010-2017)
George Coe (1975)
Billy Crystal (1984-1985)
Pete Davidson (2014-2022)
Robert Downey Jr. (1985-1986)
Rachel Dratch (1999-2006)
Chloe Fineman (2019-present)
Al Franken (1979-1980, 1986, 1988-1995)
Gilbert Gottfried (1980-1981)
Christopher Guest (1984-1985)
Chris Kattan (1996-2003)
Matthew Laurence (1980-1981)
Julia Louis-Dreyfus (1982-1985)
Jon Lovitz (1985-1990)
Laraine Newman (1975-1980)
Gilda Radner (1975-1980)
Jon Rudnitsky (2015-2016)
Maya Rudolph (2000-2007)
Andy Samberg (2005-2012)
Adam Sandler (1991-1995)
Rob Schneider (1990-1994)
Paul Shaffer (1979-1980)
Harry Shearer (1979-1980, 1984-1985)
Sarah Sherman (2021-present)
Sarah Silverman (1993-1994)
Jenny Slate (2009-2010)
Robert Smigel (1991-1993)
Ben Stiller (1989)
Michaela Watkins (2008-2009)
Alan Zweibel (1980)
