10 Unexpected Writers Who Contributed to SNL

While the cast of Saturday Night Live often receives the spotlight for their performances, gaining fame and moving on to successful careers in film and TV, the show's writers typically remain in the background. However, these writers are the true architects of the program, crafting its iconic sketches and characters that have kept audiences entertained for decades. From the Coneheads and Church Lady to the Jeopardy parodies and The Californians, every memorable moment began as an idea in the SNL writers’ room. Over the show's 40-plus-year history, many talented and well-known individuals have contributed as writers, and their involvement often comes as a surprise. Here are 10 individuals you might not have known were part of SNL's writing team.

10. Harry Shearer

Harry Shearer, renowned for voicing iconic characters like Principal Skinner and Mr. Burns on The Simpsons, began his career in entertainment as a writer for SNL in 1979. During his tenure, he crafted sketches for original cast members such as Bill Murray and Gilda Radner, and created humorous fake commercials, including one for an outrageously priced utility wrench. However, his writing stint was brief, lasting only one season. Shearer shifted his focus to acting, starring in films like This Is Spinal Tap and The Right Stuff, where he portrayed a NASA recruiter. He later returned to SNL in 1984, this time as a performer alongside friends Christopher Guest, Billy Crystal, and Martin Short.

9. Stephen Colbert

Before becoming a household name for his political satire on The Colbert Report and succeeding David Letterman on The Late Show, Stephen Colbert had a brief and forgettable stint as a writer for SNL in 1996. Colbert joined SNL after the cancellation of The Dana Carvey Show, where he had been a sketch comedy performer. Unfortunately, his time at SNL coincided with one of the show’s least successful seasons, following the departure of stars like Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, and David Spade, and before the arrival of future legends such as Will Ferrell, Jimmy Fallon, and Tina Fey. Colbert primarily wrote for cast members like David Koechner, Mark McKinney, and Jim Breuer. Despite the challenges, he collaborated with writer Robert Smigel on animated TV Funhouse segments, including the Ambiguously Gay Duo, and created a memorable parody commercial featuring a used mattress salesman.

8. Steve Higgins

Steve Higgins, best known as the announcer for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, has also been a prolific writer for SNL since 1995. Remarkably, he continues to contribute to both shows simultaneously, a feat made possible by their shared producer, Lorne Michaels. Higgins served as SNL's head writer in the late 1990s and remains a key member of the writing staff, even taking on a producer role. Over the years, he has penned numerous iconic sketches, including Black Jeopardy and Bathroom Businessman, as well as political parodies featuring Will Ferrell as George W. Bush and Tina Fey as Sarah Palin. His work also includes satirical takes on Obamacare and Donald Trump, solidifying his legacy as a cornerstone of SNL's creative team.

7. Dave Attell

Dave Attell, a well-regarded stand-up comedian and familiar face in the comedy world, had a brief and less-than-fulfilling tenure as a writer for SNL during the 1993-94 season. Despite working alongside a talented cast that included Adam Sandler, Rob Schneider, and Chris Farley, Attell contributed to only a handful of sketches. His primary role involved crafting opening monologues for guest hosts like Olympic figure skater Nancy Kerrigan, comedian Rosie O’Donnell, and actor Jeff Goldblum. Among his few sketches were the bench warmer guy and a parody of the movie Goodfellas. After one season, Attell left SNL to focus on his stand-up career, where he has since thrived.

6. J.B. Smoove

Known for his stand-up comedy and roles on shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Real Husbands of Hollywood alongside Kevin Hart, J.B. Smoove also spent three seasons as a writer for SNL from 2003 to 2006. During his time there, he created parodies of shows like Good Times, fake commercials for products such as Tylenol Extreme (targeting testicular trauma), and celebrity spoofs featuring Star Jones. One of his standout sketches was “Snoop Dog Needs Friends.” Smoove also wrote monologues for guest hosts like Kelly Ripa, Topher Grace, and David Spade. However, like many SNL writers, he ultimately found greater success as a performer.

5. Louis C.K.

Similar to Stephen Colbert, Louis C.K. contributed to SNL by assisting writer Robert Smigel with the animated TV Funhouse segments during the late 1990s. In 1997, Louis C.K. co-wrote several TV Funhouse clips, such as the X-Presidents and The Harlem Globetrotters, as well as parts of the Ambiguously Gay Duo series. This collaboration stemmed from his friendship with Smigel, which began when they worked together on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. Louis C.K. has downplayed his time at SNL, stating that his involvement was primarily limited to working with Smigel on the animated shorts, with little interaction with the rest of the writing team or cast.

4. Max Brooks

Max Brooks, celebrated for his zombie-themed books like The Zombie Survival Guide and World War Z (later adapted into a film starring Brad Pitt), is often referred to as the Stephen King of zombie literature. He is also the son of comedy icon Mel Brooks, the creative force behind classics such as Young Frankenstein and Blazing Saddles. Early in his career, Max Brooks spent two seasons as a writer for SNL from 2001 to 2003, crafting sketches for stars like Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler, and Chris Parnell. During this time, he secretly worked on his debut zombie book. His first sketch, which aired on the show, featured a humorous exchange between Superman and his father, Jor-El, at the Fortress of Solitude, where Superman boasts about his new bachelor pad while Jor-El urges him to return home. Despite his success, Brooks found the collaborative environment at SNL challenging, and his contract was not renewed after 2003. By then, he had already sold The Zombie Survival Guide and was fully immersed in his passion for writing about the undead.

3. Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien, a legendary late-night talk show host, is widely recognized for his writing contributions to The Simpsons. However, before that, he spent four successful seasons as a writer for SNL from 1987 to 1991. During his tenure, O'Brien created memorable recurring characters like Mr. Short-Term Memory and Lank Thompson: Handsome Actor, famously portrayed by Mike Myers. He also penned the popular Girl Watchers sketch, performed by guest host Tom Hanks and cast member Jon Lovitz. Additionally, O'Brien wrote a standout commercial parody for Irish Drinking Songs and monologues for guest hosts such as John Goodman and Alec Baldwin. His work on Weekend Update segments for anchor Dennis Miller further solidified his reputation. O'Brien's success at SNL paved the way for his role as a writer on The Simpsons and eventually his career in late-night television.

2. Brian Doyle-Murray

Brian Doyle-Murray, the older brother of comedian and SNL alum Bill Murray, is a familiar face in character acting, notably playing Chevy Chase’s kidnapped boss in Christmas Vacation. While Bill Murray was performing on SNL in the late 1970s and early 1980s, Brian worked behind the scenes as a writer. He joined the show in 1977 and remained until 1982, earning three Emmy nominations for his writing in 1978, 1979, and 1980. Brian crafted memorable sketches, including the prom nuggie sketch featuring Bill Murray and Gilda Radner, Weekend Update segments for a young Eddie Murphy, and controversial bits with comedian Andy Kaufman that left audiences questioning their authenticity. He also penned a heartfelt tribute to John Belushi following the actor’s tragic death in 1982.

1. Bob Odenkirk

Bob Odenkirk, now celebrated for his role as Saul Goodman in the hit AMC series Better Call Saul (a character he first portrayed in Breaking Bad), began his career as a writer for SNL from 1987 to 1995. During his time on the show, he shared an office with Conan O’Brien and Ben Stiller, the latter of whom briefly performed on SNL in 1989. Odenkirk later collaborated with both O’Brien and Stiller on their respective shows. At SNL, Odenkirk found his greatest success writing for Chris Farley, creating iconic sketches such as Farley’s Chippendales audition alongside Patrick Swayze and the legendary Matt Foley motivational speaker bit, where Farley famously declared, “You’ll be living in a van down by the river!” Odenkirk continued primarily as a comedy writer before achieving widespread acclaim as an actor with his portrayal of Saul Goodman.