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Matt Heffernan
Mar. 13, 2024, afternoon

"What do you think? Also, this is not a list of favorite or best cast members and writers, just the most successful."

That sounds like a denial of subjectivity that's begging for a real objective answer. So, at least in terms of box office success, these are the top 10 SNL Alumni (source is https://www.the-numbers.com/box-office-star-records/worldwide/lifetime-acting/top-grossing-stars):

  1. Robert Downey, Jr.
  2. Bill Hader
  3. Laraine Newman
  4. Kristin Wiig
  5. Eddie Murphy
  6. Ben Stiller
  7. Will Ferrell
  8. Bill Murray
  9. Jenny Slate
  10. Adam Sandler

Now that's a surprising list! It apparently includes voice acting in animated features, where certain alumni have done a lot high-grossing movies. That's why we see Newman, Hader and Slate at all, and Wiig and Stiller get a bump for starring in some big animated franchises (Despicable Me and Madagascar). Also, this is no adjusted for inflation, so recent success from RDJ beats out Murphy's hits from 30-40 years ago.

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