The Evolution of Joe Biden Impersonations on Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live (SNL) has a long history of parodying political figures, and one of the most enduring subjects has been Joe Biden. Since his first appearance on the show in 1991, Biden has been portrayed by a diverse array of actors, each bringing their unique take to the character.

The first actor to impersonate Joe Biden was Kevin Nealon during the show's seventeenth season. Nealon played a 48-year-old Biden in a cold open centered around the Clarence Thomas hearings, alongside other notable cast members like Phil Hartman as Ted Kennedy and Tim Meadows as Clarence Thomas.

Jason Sudeikis: The Longest-Running Biden

Jason Sudeikis is perhaps the most well-known for his portrayal of Biden, having played the role from 2007 to 2021. Sudeikis's Biden was characterized by his outgoing and gregarious personality, traits he drew from his own father. He played Biden throughout Barack Obama's presidential campaign and presidency, and even returned to the role intermittently after his initial departure from the show.

Other Notable Impersonations

In addition to Nealon and Sudeikis, several other actors have taken on the role of Joe Biden. Woody Harrelson played Biden for three episodes in 2019, donning large fake white teeth for his portrayal. John Mulaney also played Biden in a single episode in 2020, during which he hosted the show. Mulaney's performance was notable for its meta commentary on the changing faces of Biden on SNL.

Jim Carrey portrayed Biden at the beginning of the forty-sixth season in 2020. His energetic performance garnered mixed reactions, with some critics feeling it did not accurately capture Biden's demeanor. Carrey stepped down from the role after six weeks, and Alex Moffat took over until James Austin Johnson debuted his Biden impression in the Season 47 premiere.

Currently, Mikey Day is the latest cast member to impersonate Biden, starting with the third episode of Season 49. Day's portrayal continues the tradition of SNL's comedic take on the President's public persona.

Season 50 and Beyond

As SNL celebrates its 50th season, the show is set to continue its tradition of political satire. The season premiere on September 28, 2024, will likely feature Mikey Day reprising his role as Biden, along with other returning favorites like Maya Rudolph as Vice President Kamala Harris. This milestone season promises to bring new and exciting impersonations, ensuring that SNL remains a relevant and entertaining voice in the world of political comedy.