Cecily Strong’s Top 10 ‘SNL’ Performances That Had Us Belly Laughing’

Comedian Cecily Strong delivered a stunner to Saturday Night Live fans and even cast mates on its most recent show.

The episode nudged Strong past Kate McKinnon to become the longest-running female cast member in the variety show’s history. SNL-philes knew that Strong would break McKinnon’s record before the show even started taping.

But virtually no one expected Cecily Strong to make the surprising announcement during the SNL episode that it would be her last.

In retrospect, Strong’s decision was apt. She often played in a supporting capacity with more prominent SNL cast members and hosts.

In so many of those sketches, however, Strong excelled at surreptitiously stealing the show. Saturday’s episode was the ultimate example of her ability to do so.

Strong(‘s) Opaque Reflections on Leaving ‘SNL’

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Strong on Monday posted a lengthy goodbye message to SNL on her Instagram account. That gave herself a couple of days to collect herself — and to allow SNL fans to digest the unexpected news.

“I’m sorry I’ve been a little quiet about it publicly,” she wrote. “I didn’t want the extra pressure on something already so emotional for me. … I am ready to go, but I’ll always know home is here. I’ve had the time of my life working with the greatest people on earth.”

Cecily Strong co-hosted Weekend Update with Seth Meyers and, more recently, Colin Jost. Her best-known impressions included Judge Jeanine Pirro, Senator Dianne Feinstein and Melania Trump. 

Strong’s other memorable performances included periodic Weekend Update guest Cathy Anne and a chain-smoking news junkie.

Cecily Strong’s Best ‘SNL’ Sketches

Here’s a rundown of 10 sketches in which Cecily Strong sent us into uncontrollable fits of laughter:

1. Close Encounter

2. Sean Spicer Press Conference

3. Teacher Trial with Ronda Rousey

4. Election Night

5. Kavanaugh Hearing Cold Open

6. Star Wars Auditions

7. A Thanksgiving Miracle

8. Celebrity Family Feud: Political Edition

9. Trump People’s Court

• 10. Irish Dating Show

READ MORE: “Cecily Strong Reveals Why She Announced ‘SNL’ Exit Before Her Final Show”