The Best People Who Hosted SNL In The '80s

Updated April 3, 2019 2.3k votes 86 voters153 items

List RulesVote up the people who did the best job as hosts of SNL from 1980 through 1989.

The 1980s started out rough for Saturday Night Live, but they rode the decade through and celebrated their 15th anniversary in before the '80s ended. Even with over a dozen hosts appearing multiple times, there were over 150 hosts in the '80s. If you can't remember everybody who got to open the show, then refresh your memory with this list of the people who were hosts from 1980 through 1989, ranked from best SNL '80s hosts to worst SNL '80s hosts.

One of the people who took on the role of host the most often in the '80s was actor Danny DeVito, who hosted four times and tied with comedian and frequent host Steve Martin for most times hosting SNL in the 1980s. Tom Hanks was close behind, hosting Saturday Night Live three times that decade and even using his monologue in the 15th-anniversary episode to hint about upcoming changes to the opening act.

Just like the seasons and episodes themselves, the Saturday Night Live hosts of the 1980s range from great to grueling. Vote up the actors, musicians, and comedians who did the best job at hosting SNL in the '80s.

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Tom Hanks
The Da Vinci Code, Forrest Gump
Age: 64
Birthplace: Concord, California, United States of America
Thomas Jeffrey Hanks (born July 9, 1956) is an American actor and filmmaker. Known for both... more
2
31
19
Charlton Heston
Ben-Hur, Planet of the Apes
Age: Dec. at 85 (1923-2008)
Birthplace: Evanston, Illinois, United States of America
Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter; October 4, 1923 – April 5, 2008) was an American... more
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23
10
Steve Martin
The Jerk, ¡Three Amigos!
Age: 75
Birthplace: Waco, Texas, United States of America
Stephen Glenn Martin (born August 14, 1945) is an American actor, comedian, writer, filmmaker,... more
4
27
20
James Woods
Once Upon a Time in America, Casino
Age: 73
Birthplace: Vernal, Utah, United States of America
James Howard Woods (born April 18, 1947) is an American actor, voice actor, and producer. His... more
5
17
10
Tony Danza
Who's the Boss?, Crash
Age: 69
Birthplace: New York City, New York, United States of America
Tony Danza (born April 21, 1951) is an American actor, comedian, singer, television... more
6
19
13
John Candy
SCTV, Spaceballs
Age: Dec. at 44 (1950-1994)
Birthplace: Newmarket, Canada
John Franklin Candy (October 31, 1950 – March 4, 1994) was a Canadian actor and comedian,... more
7
16
10
Glenn Close
Dangerous Liaisons, Mars Attacks
Age: 73
Birthplace: Greenwich, Connecticut, United States of America
Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress and producer. "Long considered one of... more
8
15
10
Jamie Lee Curtis
True Lies, Halloween
Age: 61
Birthplace: Santa Monica, California, United States of America
Jamie Lee Haden-Guest, Baroness Haden-Guest (née Curtis; born November 22, 1958) is an... more
9
17
13
Jeff Bridges
The Big Lebowski, Iron Man
Age: 70
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Jeffrey Leon Bridges (born December 4, 1949) is an American actor, singer, and producer. He... more
10
12
8
Anjelica Huston
The Royal Tenenbaums, The Addams Family
Age: 69
Birthplace: Santa Monica, California, United States of America
Anjelica Huston (; born July 8, 1951) is an American actress, director, producer, author, and... more
11
10
6
Jay Leno
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Jay Leno Show
Age: 70
Birthplace: USA, New York, New Rochelle
James Douglas Muir Leno (born April 28, 1950) is an American comedian, actor, writer,... more
12
10
6
Bronson Pinchot
Beverly Hills Cop, True Romance
Age: 56
Birthplace: Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
Bronson Alcott Pinchot (born May 20, 1959) is an American actor. He is best known for playing... more
13
11
8
Robin Williams
Good Will Hunting, Dead Poets Society
Age: Dec. at 63 (1951-2014)
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Robin McLaurin Williams (July 21, 1951 – August 11, 2014) was an American actor and comedian.... more

14
17
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Kevin Kline
A Fish Called Wanda, Cry Freedom
Age: 72
Birthplace: USA, St. Louis, Missouri
Kevin Delaney Kline (born October 24, 1947) is an American actor and singer. He has won an... more
15
9
5
Beau Bridges
The Descendants, Max Payne
Age: 78
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, USA
Lloyd Vernet "Beau" Bridges III (born December 9, 1941) is an American actor and director. He... more
16
9
5
Valerie Bertinelli
Hot in Cleveland, One Day at a Time
Age: 60
Birthplace: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Valerie Anne Bertinelli (born April 23, 1960) is an American actress and television... more
17
15
13
Jerry Hall
Batman, About Face: Supermodels Then and Now
Age: 64
Birthplace: Gonzales, Texas, United States of America
Jerry Faye Hall (born July 2, 1956) is an American model and actress.... more
18
13
10
Danny DeVito
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Batman Returns
Age: 75
Birthplace: Neptune City, New Jersey, United States of America
Daniel Michael DeVito Jr. (born November 17, 1944) is an American actor, director, producer,... more
19
6
2
Michael McKean
This Is Spinal Tap, Planes
Age: 72
Birthplace: New York City, Area code 917, Contiguous United States, New York, United States of America
Michael McKean (born October 17, 1947) is an American actor, comedian, and musician, known for... more
20
9
6
Andie MacDowell
Groundhog Day, Short Cuts
Age: 57
Birthplace: Gaffney, South Carolina, United States of America
Rosalie Anderson MacDowell (born April 21, 1958) is an American actress and fashion model. She... more
21
10
7
Billy Crystal
Monsters, Inc
Age: 72
Birthplace: Upper East Side, New York City, New York, United States of America
William Edward Crystal (born March 14, 1948) is an American actor, comedian, writer, producer,... more
22
13
12
Joan Rivers
Fashion Police, The Joan Rivers Show
Age: Dec. at 81 (1933-2014)
Birthplace: New York City, New York
Joan Alexandra Molinsky (June 8, 1933 – September 4, 2014), known professionally as Joan... more
23
13
11
Dolly Parton
The Porter Wagoner Show, Transamerica
Age: 74
Birthplace: Sevierville, Tennessee, United States of America
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter,... more

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12
10
Ed Begley, Jr.
St. Elsewhere, Pineapple Express
Age: 71
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States of America
Edward James Begley Jr. (born September 16, 1949) is an American actor. Begley has appeared in... more
25
8
5
Chevy Chase
Christmas Vacation, Caddyshack
Age: 77
Birthplace: New York City, USA, New York, Lower Manhattan
Cornelius Crane "Chevy" Chase (; born October 8, 1943) is an American comedian, actor and... more