Darrell Hammond

Darrell Clayton Hammond was born on October 8, 1955, in Melbourne, Florida. He attended Brevard Community College and the University of Florida, graduating in 1978 with a degree in advertising. Early in his career, Hammond worked as a radio DJ at BJ 105 FM in Florida and honed his skills as an impressionist, which he discovered as a child was a way to gain his mother’s approval. His early career also included performing stand-up comedy and acting in theater productions in New York City.

Hammond’s breakthrough came with his long-standing role on NBC’s sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. He joined the cast in 1995 and remained a regular member until 2009, making him the longest-tenured cast member at the time, a record later surpassed by Kenan Thompson. During his 14 seasons, Hammond became known for his extensive range of impersonations, totaling over 107 celebrities. His most frequent and notable impressions included Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Donald Trump, Sean Connery, Regis Philbin, and Dick Cheney. He also holds the SNL record for saying “Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” the most times, with 76 instances.

After his departure as a cast member, Hammond continued his association with Saturday Night Live, returning as the show’s announcer in 2014, succeeding the late Don Pardo. This marked a significant return and solidified his enduring presence on the show. Beyond SNL, Hammond has appeared in numerous films such as “Blues Brothers 2000” (1998), “Scary Movie 3” (2003), “Epic Movie” (2007), “Cora Bora” (2023), and “Unfrosted” (2024), where he played Ed McMahon. His television credits include roles in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Criminal Minds.” He published his autobiography, “God, If You’re Not Up There I’m F*cked: Tales of Stand-Up, Saturday Night Live, and Other Mind-Altering Mayhem,” in 2011, detailing his personal struggles and career.