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Entertainment & Arts

Ten ‘SNL’ Alums Who Went On To Fame

Conan O'Brien was a writer on SNL from 1987 to 1991, before leaving the show to write for "The Simpsons." After hosting numerous late night television shows, O'Brien was given his own show on TBS, simply entitled "Conan."

Conan O’Brien was a writer on SNL from 1987 to 1991, before leaving the show to write for “The Simpsons.” After hosting numerous late night television shows, O’Brien was given his own show on TBS, simply entitled “Conan.”   (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)

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Certain comedians are known almost exclusively by their stints on NBC’s Emmy Award-winning show “Saturday Night Live”. But other former cast members and writers of the show may come as a surprise to many viewers. Some were rarely on air, while others stayed on for such a short time that they were soon forgotten.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. performed a short stint on SNL, where his uncle Jim Downey, worked for 27 seasons. Downey was one of the youngest performers on SNL, beginning his short stint at the company in 1985, at age 20. Downey left the show in 1986, after a cast overhaul. Downey is most recently known for his work as the lead star in Marvel’s “Ironman” series.   (GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP/Getty Images)

David Koechner

David Koechner had a year-long stint at SNL, after which he was let go from the show. Koechner has since taken minor roles in films such as “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” and played his first lead in director Tom Brady’s “The Comebacks.”  ( MARIO ANZUONI/ REUTERS )

Louis C.K.

Louis Szekely, more commonly known as Louis C.K. has written on and off for SNL through the years. In November 2012, Szekely hosted an episode of SNL. Szekely is also known for his work as a producer and writer of multiple television series,many of which have won him awards. One show, “Louie,” is still on the air.  (Mark Mainz / Getty Images)

Ben Stiller

Ben Stiller wrote a short film in 1987, which was then aired by SNL. The show was so impressed by Stiller’s work that he was hired as a writer and performer. But when the show didn’t want Stiller to write more shorts, the comedian left after just four episodes. Stiller is best known for his roles in movies such as “Madagascar” and the “Night at the Museum” Series.  (Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)

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