‘SNL’ Drag Kings: 13 Dudes Who Dominated As Famous Ladies
David Spade, Will Ferrell, and Tracy Morgan all got their drag on during their time at "Saturday Night Live"
October 23, 2015
By HowardStern.com Editorial
It’s not easy being a woman. It’s also not easy being a man dressed up as a woman on live national television. The 13 guys below have all done just that while performing on “Saturday Night Live,” including Monday morning’s guest David Spade. Do they look like the famous women they’re impersonating? No. Are they even passing as women? Definitely not. But these fellas all prove that sometimes, all it takes to get an audience laughing is a wig, some makeup, and a bunch of double-sided tape to keep certain things in place.
Check out the famous “SNL” dudes that impersonated famous women (below).
David Spade as Martha Stewart
David dusted off his blonde Gap girl wig back in 2005 in order to play a recently-released-from-prison Martha Stewart. Sure, Martha didn’t actually leave the clink with a cigarette, a deeper voice, or a five o’clock shadow, but with that crocheted poncho on Spade looked just as good as the domestic diva herself.
Watch the video here.
Kenan Thompson as Reba McEntire
Back in 2013, a lack of diversity at “SNL” led to Kenan’s refusal to play the parts of any women of color – not until producers hired a much needed black female cast member. Up to that point, the former Nickelodeon superstar had turned in performances as Whoopi, Chaka Khan, and even Donovan McNabb’s mother. His best day in drag wasn’t playing the part of a famous black woman though; it was as country music’s own Reba McEntire.
Watch video here.
Will Ferrell as Janet Reno
One might think Will Ferrell playing former Attorney General Janet Reno is absurd, but considering she’s only an inch shorter than him, he was probably the best man for the job. Ferrell retired the basement dance party in 2001 and was joined by the real Janet Reno – the surprise cameo was supposedly her idea. Other visitors throughout the years included Rudy Giuliani and former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala (played by Kevin Spacey.)
Watch video here.
Fred Armisen as Penny Marshall
How good is Fred Armisen’s impersonation of Penny Marshall? He doesn’t even have to say a word in order to get a laugh. A pair of tiny glasses and a slack-jawed stare was all it took in this oft forgotten sketch from 2008. Fred dressed up as other famous females during his time at “Saturday Night Live” – Joy Behar, Camilla Parker Bowles, Fran Lebowitz – and is still putting on lady clothes in the name of comedy on his IFC show “Portlandia.”
Watch video here.
Dan Aykroyd as Julia Child
An “SNL” classic, any way you slice it, Dan Aykroyd took on famous chef Julia Child with a high-pitched voice, a roasting chicken, and a hell of a lot of blood.
Watch the video here.
Tracy Morgan as Maya Angelou
Lauded and long-winded poet Maya Angelou had already been flawlessly impersonated before on “Saturday Night Live” by David Alan Grier in 1997. Five years later, Tracy Morgan stepped up to the impressions plate and took a more subtle and subdued approach … and knocked it out of the park.
Watch the video here.
Chris Farley as Lori Davis
Don’t remember who Lori Davis is? Allow us to give you an infomercial flashback in this video from the real Cher-sponsored hair product spot that aired in the early ’90s. Watch “SNL’s” parody below and first you’ll hurt laughing at how hilarious Chris Farley’s take on Lori is, then you’ll hurt thinking about how f-cking agonizing it is that he’s gone.
Watch the video here.
Seth Meyers as Nicollette Sheridan
It took a lot of balls to put on a swimsuit and play a “Desperate Housewife” – luckily Seth Meyers was able to keep his package concealed in this sketch from 2005.
Watch the video here.
Bobby Moynihan as Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi
She was tan, she was Italian, and she was everywhere. With Snooki and her “Jersey Shore” castmates reaching reality show stardom in the mid 2000s, Bobby Moynihan busted out the orange spray tan and bedazzled Solo cup to take on perhaps his funniest celebrity impression to date. He decided to leave a little bit of chest hair on his version of the guidette – a move that makes this impersonation as golden as the chains around The Situation’s neck.
Watch the video here.
John Goodman as Linda Tripp
At “SNL,” no greater gift exists than an American political scandal. The Clinton-Lewinsky affair of the late 1990s led to numerous parodies with spot-on impressions from cast members Molly Shannon and Darrell Hammond. But as the playfully oversized Linda Tripp, guest host John Goodman sent audiences into giggle fits. He reprised his role as Monica’s untrustworthy confidante several times and currently sits in third place on the “Saturday Night Live” list of guest host appearances with 13.
Watch the video here.
Andy Samberg as Mayim Bialik
He looks absolutely nothing like the real Mayim Bialik, but in his quintessential “Blossom” hat it’s hard not to laugh at Samberg’s impression. Samberg went on to further prove what a horrible woman he would make with his impersonation of Juliette Lewis.
Watch the video here.
Chris Rock as Whoopi Goldberg
It’s by far the shortest drag performance on this list, but Chris Rock’s brief cameo as Whoopi Goldberg sets this “SNL” parody off on the right tone. Keep your eyes peeled for Farley dressed up a Carnie Wilson. Never mind – you can’t miss him.
Watch the video here.
Phil Hartman as Barbara Bush
From her snow-white hair to her omnipresent pearl necklace, Phil Hartman had his Barbara Bush look down pat. The sketch from 1989 reimagined what it was like for the new First Lady to take over the White House from the outgoing one. As much as we love seeing Hartman in a dress, Jan Hooks steals this scene as an unwelcome Nancy Reagan.
Watch the video here.
Grab a copy of David Spade’s new memoir, “Almost Interesting,” now for more amazing stories!
