Nora Dunn

We’ve knocked Doumanian and Ebersole a bit, but Michaels’ first season back was also a flop. Eight of the 11 people he hired only lasted one season. However, the other three are all on this list, and they includes Nora Dunn. She spent a full five seasons on the show, making her the first cast member to dip into the 1990s we’ve mentioned (though by that we mean the 1989-90 season was her last).

Dunn’s character Pat Stevens managed to prove popular even in that 1985-86 season, and she also had the Sweeney Sisters, Ashley Ashley, and a litany of impressions. Dunn was the heir apparent to Gross in some ways, in terms of being a quality utility player, which is vital to an SNL cast.

She also made a splash by boycotting the episode hosted by Andrew Dice Clay. Rarely have SNL cast members had the courage of their convictions when it comes to hosts.