Behind-the-Scenes Photos from SNL From the ’70s Through the ’90s

Written by Rachel Schneider on
A split image: On the left, a group photo of 1990s SNL cast members, smiling in casual outfits. On the right, two men in streetwear sit on a couch with 40 oz bottles, recreating a comedy skit set.

“Saturday Night Live” recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, and while the show is still going strong and produces some funny skits, strolling down “SNL”‘s memory lane is unbeatable. From the OGs of the ’70s like John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, and Bill Murray to the ’90s dream team with Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, David Spade, Chris Rock, and Rob Schneider, the show has given us so many laughs.

Take a look at these photos that remind us why we fell in love with “SNL” in the first place. Let us know in the comments which cast was your favorite!

1. MC Hammer Hosting (1991)

A group of people, including a man in a yellow suit and sunglasses, stand together indoors, clapping and smiling. Children are in front, and adults are in the background with a classic painting on the wall behind them.
morganmonroe81 / Reddit.com

Do you think they were clapping along to “The Addams Family” theme song?

2. Gilda Radner Laughing at Dan Aykroyd on Set (1978)

A man in a red cap and blue t-shirt stands with a stern expression next to a woman in glasses and a cardigan who is laughing and covering her nose, in a kitchen with floral wallpaper and lace curtains.
eaglemaxie / Reddit.com

I love when “SNL” skits make actors break character and crack up, and if you’ve seen this scene, you probably laughed so hard you cried, too.

3. Bill Murray and Gilda Radner in the ‘SNL’ Office (1979)

A man and woman stand in an office. The man has one arm around the woman, who is holding a notebook. Behind them, a chalkboard displays "2 + =" with a lightning bolt. The room is cluttered with office supplies.
eaglemaxie / Reddit.com

Everything looks serious, and then you see the chalkboard.

4. Backstage With Mike Myers (1990)

Two men pose together indoors. The man on the left has curly hair, a mustache, and a serious expression, wearing a dark Puma shirt. The man on the right has light hair, is smiling widely, and has his arm around the other man.
stairwaytoevan / Reddit.com

All I hear when I see this picture is Austin Powers quotes. Groovy baby, yeah!

5. Paul Simon, Chevy Chase, and George Harrison Meeting for an Episode of ‘SNL’ (1976)

Three people stand and talk in a hallway. One holds a coffee cup, another wears a scarf and leather jacket, and the third wears a patterned sweater. A guitar case is partially visible in the foreground.
Admiral37 / Reddit.com

Ten points if you can tell us in the comments which song was performed in this episode. Iconic stuff, folks.

6. Jon Lovitz, Kevin Nealon, and Phil Hartman as Frankenstein, Tarzan, and Tonto (1987)

Three men stand indoors in front of window blinds; one wears a Native American-inspired outfit, another wears a one-shoulder animal print tunic, and the third wears a black suit.
MattelJones / Reddit.com

“Fire bad!”

7. Chris Farley Dressed as Blind Melon’s Bee Girl (1994)

A smiling person stands indoors in a shiny bee costume with a black tutu, striped armbands, and antenna headband, posing with arms raised.
MulciberTenebras / Reddit.com

Chris Farley vibing out in the bumblebee tutu, flailing around in the background as Blind Melon was introduced as the musical guest, lives rent-free in my head, and I’m not going to start charging it anytime soon. 

8. Chris Rock and Chris Farley During Their ‘I’m Chillin’ Skit (1991)

Two men wearing baggy clothes and hats sit on a couch in a TV studio set, with several bottles of malt liquor on a crate in front of them. A microphone hangs above and posters are on the walls behind them.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

Onski and B-Fats were hilarious during the “I’m Chillin” skit — endless nonsensical rhymes, and the beverage sponsors were always spot-on. The Chris on Chris skits were some of “SNL”‘s finest.

9. Bill Murray, Jane Curtin, Dan Aykroyd, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, and Laraine Newman (1977)

Six performers in matching plaid costumes sing and gesture energetically on a stage decorated to look like a rehearsal space. A sign in the background reads, “Positively No Food Allowed In This Room.”
gregornot / Reddit.com

The chemistry of this cast was off the charts, even though they were dubbed the “not ready for prime time” players.

10. Farley, Rock, Sandler, and Spade (1997)

Four men stand close together, smiling at the camera. The man on the left gives a thumbs-up, the second man wears black and smiles widely, the third man wears glasses, and the fourth man has shoulder-length blond hair.
hnirobert / Reddit.com

This group (plus Rob Schneider) dominated “SNL” during the ’90s, and their friend group remains close-knit today, which makes their episodes together all the more fun to watch.

11. Meeting Matt Foley (1993)

A man in a plaid jacket leans forward and yells at a young man and woman sitting on a plaid couch, both looking uncomfortable and avoiding eye contact. The scene appears to be indoors, in a living room.
eaglemaxie / Reddit.com

Just saying: If I had Matt Foley to scream at me, tell me I’m not going to amount to jack squat, and warn me about the potential to live in a van down by the river if I didn’t get my life right, I’d probably be more than a La-Dee-Freaking-Da writer.

12. Billy Murray and His Mustache (1977)

A man with a mustache speaks into a microphone on stage, wearing a light shirt over a t-shirt with partially visible letters. A spotlight shines in the background.
Bigbobseinfeld / Reddit.com

Honestly, Bill Murray’s stage presence when he was on “SNL” is pretty unmatched. He had that quiet confidence that made him even funnier.

13. The Original ‘SNL’ Cast (1975)

A group of seven people poses together on a staircase in front of a brick wall. Some are standing, others sitting or leaning on the railing, all wearing 1970s-style clothing and serious or playful expressions.
gregornot / Reddit.com

Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, George Coe, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, Michael O’Donoghue, and Gilda Radner were the first-ever cast on “Saturday Night Live,” performing in the first 24 episodes (and many of them well beyond that). 

14. Patrick Swayze and Mariah Carey as Special Guests (1990)

A woman with long, curly hair, wearing a black top and blue jeans, stands smiling beside a man with blond, shoulder-length hair in a checked blazer and dark shirt. Both look happy in an indoor setting.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

Patrick Swayze was always a beloved guest on “SNL,” particularly during the Chippendales skit he did alongside Chris Farley (which is undoubtedly one of the most iconic moments ever shown on television). 

15. Bill Murray Replacing Chevy Chase on the Weekend Update (1977)

babyhandedtheif / Reddit.com

Chevy Chase made a name for himself with his Weekend Update skit on “SNL,” but Bill Murray stepped into it without hesitation and without silence from the audience. 

16. One of the Most Beloved Casts (1992)

A group of thirteen people, including men and women, pose closely together indoors, smiling at the camera. The group is diverse in age, race, and style, with casual clothing and a lively, friendly atmosphere.
StealyAdventures / Reddit.com

Adam Sandler, David Spade, Ellen Cleghorn, Kevin Nealon, Phil Hartman, Tim Meadows, Chris Rock, Julia Sweeney, Dana Carvey, Rob Schneider, Chris Farley, Al Franken, and Melanie Hutsell rounded out the roster for “SNL” in 1992. Who knows which one of these funny people wound up pursuing a career in politics as a senator? 

17. The Facial Expressions (1976)

Seven people in casual 1970s attire stand side by side against a plain background, posing with serious expressions and hands on their hips, looking directly at the camera.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

They haven’t even said anything, but the look on Belushi, Aykroyd, and Murray’s faces alone makes me want to laugh. (Okay, maybe it’s their mustaches, collars, and hands on their hips, too.) 

18. Robin Williams Backstage (1987)

A person smiles playfully at the camera, holding a pair of round glasses and a thin stick towards the lens. The image is in black and white, with the background softly blurred.
SmokeTheFire / Reddit.com

It was always a good show if Robin Williams was hosting or making a cameo. I can only imagine the laughs we’d have had if he were a regular cast member in the ’80s.

19. Eddie Murphy as Stevie Wonder (1983)

Two men stand close together; one wears sunglasses, a colorful striped poncho, and beaded braids, smiling. The other wears a blue sweater and has a hand on the first man's shoulder, speaking to him.
HesJuggernaut / Reddit.com

Eddie Murphy as Stevie Wonder and Joe Piscopo … the most hilarious remix of “Ebony and Ivory.” 

20. Jane Curtin and Chevy Chase During a Skit (1976)

A group of people dressed as judges stand around a bed where a man and woman lie under the covers, looking surprised. The scene appears comedic and staged, likely from a television show or skit.
eaglemaxie / Reddit.com

“SNL” is known for hilarious scenarios, and Chevy Chase and Jane Curtin as a married couple in bed being monitored by the Supreme Court was hilariously outlandish. 

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On the left, a group of colorful Muppet characters pose together. On the right, five people from a 1970s TV family, wearing bright clothing, pose in front of a red background.
AndrewK1108 / Wrenhasfun via Reddit.com