The 5 most famous “SNL” president impersonations.

“Saturday Night Live” (“SNL”) kicked off its 50th season over the weekend with a cold opening sketch full of political impersonations — and one of the most praised online is “SNL” alum Dana Carvey’s portrayal of President Biden.

The NBC mainstay mocks commanders-in-chief from the start, with a group of comedians impersonating the nation’s leaders, much to the delight of viewers.

Here are some of his notable ones:

Dana Carvey: Biden, Bush 41

Carvey, an Emmy winner and a cast member of the series from 1986 to 1993, surprised audiences Saturday when he made a surprising entrance into the role of Biden, alongside “SNL” alum Maya Rudolph as Vice President Harris.

When thanked in the skit for ending his re-election bid so Harris could top the Democratic presidential field, Carvey’s Biden announced, “I didn’t want to. They created me!” and then concluded with, “By the way, the fact is….”

Maya Rudolph as Vice President Harris (left) and Dana Carvey as President Biden perform during an open skit on “Saturday Night Live” in New York, September 28, 2024. (Will Heath, NBC via AP)

During a mini episode of the comedy podcast “Fly on the Wall with Dana Carvey and David Spade,” Carvey described how his weekend Biden transition came about.

“It’s top secret. I kept it a secret for weeks,” he said excitedly, noting that “SNL” boss Lorne Michaels personally asked him to take on the role after Carvey previously boasted about Biden’s “silly and weird” approach he developed. in the podcast and YouTube clips.

“I haven’t seen it enough — the Biden impression,” he said. “A lot of brilliant Trumps…Biden is more difficult.”

But Carvey’s portrayal of Biden was not his first unusual presidential impersonation. He became famous for his incredible role as President George H. W. Bush in the 1980s and 1990s. They even became unlikely friends, as the CBS Evening News pointed out in a report after Bush’s death.

Will Ferrell: George W. Bush

Comedian Will Ferrell’s silly and wildly popular portrayal of President George W. Bush began on “SNL” but eventually made its way to Broadway in the limited run “You’re Welcome America.” Last Night with George W. Bush,” which also became an HBO special.

Will Ferrell will appear at a special event celebrating the 40th anniversary of Saturday Night Live at Rockefeller Plaza on February 15, 2015 in New York City. (Evan Agostini, Invision via AP)

Ferrell played the role regularly on “SNL” during Bush’s two terms in the 2000s. He recalled this impression on-site with the former president’s daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, during a 2022 appearance on the “Today” show.

Darrell Hammond: Bill Clinton

Although several comedians have portrayed President Clinton over the years – including a notable take on the late Phil Hartman – Darrell Hammond served in the role the longest on “SNL,” including during the Monica Lewinsky scandal and its aftermath, which has been called a high point of time for comedy sketch.

President Clinton (left) laughs with lookalike Darrell Hammond from “Saturday Night Live” during the 53rd annual Broadcast Correspondents’ Association dinner on April 10, 1997, in Washington. (Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press)

In a 2015 interview with Time magazine, Hammond described the development of his Clinton impression, which was a strong presence on the comedy scene, including his signature move of giving the thumbs up and biting his lip.

Alec Baldwin: Donald Trump

Actor and frequent “SNL” host Alec Baldwin regularly impersonated President Trump during the 2016 election cycle and during Trump’s time in the White House. Baldwin won an Emmy for the role in 2017 and was nominated twice more, but Trump wasn’t a huge fan.

Actor Alec Baldwin poses in the press room with the award for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series for “Saturday Night Live” during the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017. (Jordan Strauss, Invision via AP File)

The two had a long-running feud on Twitter, as the platform was called at the time, with Trump often criticizing the “terrible” impersonations.

Baldwin, for his part, said he no longer enjoyed playing Trump and found the act painful.

“Every time I do it, I feel agony. Agony. I can’t,” he said in 2018.

Chevy Chase: Gerald Ford

President Ford fell down the steps of Air Force One on a rainy day in 1975 and presented the then-fledgling “SNL” with a gift in a clumsy “dumb” performance by comedian Chevy Chase.

Chase ran with the roll or He stumbled, appropriatelyrummaging through phones on the Resolute Desk, knocking over American flags and Christmas trees, and dropping countless “important” documents.

Ronald Nessen breaks into a smile as comedian Chevy Chase, wearing a football headgear, tricks President Ford during an April 16, 1976, rehearsal in New York for Saturday’s “SNL” show. (related press)

Although the portrayal was not flattering, Ford reportedly embraced it as he took over the country in the shadow of the Watergate scandal.

Michaels, a longtime “SNL” producer, told The New York Times in a 2006 article that Ford’s attitude toward the role ultimately signaled he could have some fun lampooning the nation’s commander-in-chief.

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