Run by a tireless crew and hilarious cast members [1], Saturday Night Live [2] is a well-oiled machine that entertains viewers with a host and a musical guest each episode. As hectic as each episode can be, there have been ambitious celebrities who bravely took on both roles. In recent years, we've seen more dauntless, multitalented folks like Halsey and Donald Glover sign up for this two-pronged task. Season 45 [3] has certainly kept up with that trend. Not only did we see Chance the Rapper dominate the stage for both jobs this season, but gifted British heartthrob Harry Styles [4] — a musician and actor — is also set to host and perform this year. Without further ado, here are all of the celebrities who pulled double duty on the late-night comedy show over the years!
Chance the Rapper (2019)
Chance the Rapper promoted his new album Big Day in October 2019, appearing on the late-night comedy show as host and musical guest. His debut doing both roles featured a shirtless Jason Momoa [5] as well as a performance of "Handsome" with Megan Thee Stallion.
Halsey (2019)
While her album Manic isn't out until 2020, Halsey did collaborate with many different artists in 2019, such as BTS and Juice WRLD. When she stopped by 30 Rock, she performed some of her new singles along with this digital short about Valentine's Day [6].
Donald Glover (2018)
His "This Is America [7]" performance might have been the musical highlight of when Donald Glover [8] (aka Childish Gambino) kicked off his Saturday Night Live [9] gig, but we won't forget this ridiculous Raz P. Berry sketch.
Ariana Grande (2016)
Just before releasing Dangerous Woman (and shortly after her doughnut-licking scandal), Ariana Grande [10] crushed both her musical and acted performances on the Saturday Night Live [11] stage. Her memorable skits include a bit about being a Tidal intern and this mermaid sketch with Kate McKinnon as a half-blobfish creature.
Drake (2016)
On the promo tour for Views, Drake hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live [12] in 2016. He won't be letting the SNL cast disrespect him though, as you can see in this digital short.
Blake Shelton (2015)
As a coach on The Voice [13], Blake Shelton always has something on his plate, but he was especially busy in 2015 as he kicked off his album Bringing Back the Sunshine.You can see his signature country brand in this yee-hawed opening monologue.
Miley Cyrus (2013 and 2015)
Miley Cyrus [14] has been a musical guest [15] many times, but she's also appeared in 2013 and 2015 as the guest and host. In 2013, she gave us Bangerz, as well as this spoof of her scandalous VMA performance.
Justin Timberlake (2013)
Justin Timberlake [16] is best known for his "D*ck in a Box" performance when it comes to his many tenures on Saturday Night Live [17]. When he finally hosted and musically performed on the show, he reprised his iconic character in the "It's a Date" sketch.
Lady Gaga (2013)
Long before American Horror Story [18] or A Star Is Born [19], Lady Gaga [20] gave us some comedic acting chops on Saturday Night Live [21] in 2013 while promoting Artpop!
Justin Bieber (2013)
Shortly after releasing Believer Acoustic (and long before being spoofed by Kate McKinnon), Justin Bieber stepped onto the Saturday Night Live [22] stage as musical guest and host.
Bruno Mars (2012)
Doing publicity for Unorthodox Jukebox, Bruno Mars lent his acting and musical talents to Saturday Night Live [23] in 2012. One of his most memorable sketches is the superspooky Halloween skit [24], "The Merryville Brothers: Haunted Castle."
Elton John (2011)
The English singer-songwriter has been a musical guest many times on Saturday Night Live [25], but he got on the stage as an actor in 2011, around the time Gnomeo and Juliet, the animated film that he wrote many songs for, came out. As a shout-out to his home country, John performed in a sketch about the Royal Wedding [26] (Kate and William's, not Meghan and Harry's).
Taylor Swift (2009)
Taylor Swift [27] gave one of the best tongue-in-cheek opening monologues [28] on Saturday Night Live [29] while promoting Fearless in 2009. She'd come back as a musical guest in the Reputation and Lover eras years later.
Queen Latifah (2004)
Promoting her album The Dana Owens Album and her movie Taxi, Queen Latifah [30] came on SNL in 2004. Here, she and Seth Meyers play nuclear physicists who go on a battle of zingers and snaps.
Ludacris (2006)
Ludacris stopped by 30 Rock while in the process of rolling out his album Release Therapy. And when Ludacris is in the house, it only makes sense to do this Blizzard Man sketch with Andy Samberg [31].
Janet Jackson (2004)
Janet Jackson [32] graced Saturday Night Live [33] in 2004 as both the musical guest and host. She might be the queen of "Rhythm Nation," but even she can't help but break at Jimmy Fallon's absurdity [34] in "Corksoakers." In 2004, her album Damita Jo came out (as well as the year of the nip-slip controversy).
Jennifer Lopez (2001 and 2010)
Long before charming us in Hustlers [35], J Lo did double duty on Saturday Night Live [36] in 2001 and 2010. In 2001, she promoted her album J.Lo and movie The Wedding Planner. Nine years later, the pop star came back to promote new music from her album Love?
Britney Spears (2000 and 2002)
There's no doubting her talent because she's Britney, b*tch! The pop star graced SNL in 2000 and 2002, the first time promoting her hit album Oops!...I Did It Again. We see her here as a historical guide at a colonial museum . . . churning butter.
Garth Brooks (1998 and 1999)
Country singer Garth Brooks, then just having released his debut live album, hosted and serenaded Saturday Night Live [37] in 1998 and 1999. Here he is in his second time as host, playing a guitarist who's selling his soul to the Devil (aka Will Ferrell [38]).
Sting (1991)
Sans The Police bandmates, Sting [39] went to Saturday Night Live [40] in 1991 to host as well as perform hits such as "All This Time" and "Mad About You."
Debbie Harry (1991)
Without Blondie, Debbie Harry hosted and performed on the comedy show in 1991 months before her first solo album came out.
M.C. Hammer (1991)
The year he dropped Too Legit to Quit, M.C. Hammer dominated the Saturday Night Live [41] stage, performing the titular song from his album and "This Is the Way We Roll" in addition to sketches.
Dolly Parton (1989)
The legendary country powerhouse [42] was officially on press tour for Steel Magnolias [43] when she came to SNL as host and musical guest.
Willie Nelson (1987)
The year his album Island in the Sea came out, the renowned activist and musician went to Saturday Night Live [44] to perform and host.
Stevie Wonder (1983)
You can bet that Saturday Night Live [45] viewers were "overjoyed" with Stevie Wonder's presence as host and musical guest. Yes, he performed "Overjoyed," and also worked with Eddie Murphy [46] (who often portrayed him).
Olivia Newton-John (1982)
The year her album Physical came out, Olivia Newton-John performed her famous titular song and even did a bit on Grease [47].
Mick Jagger (1978 and 2012)
The Rolling Stones frontman swung by SNL as a host and musical guest way back in 1978, but we'll probably remember him for this ludicrous The Californians skit [48] and his Jimmy Fallon [49] mirror bit. Just a year before hosting in 2012, he formed the short-lived musical group SuperHeavy.
Frank Zappa (1978)
Frank Zappa's 1978 gig [50] on Saturday Night Live [51] was one of the most controversial among the cast and crew since it was rumoured that he didn't get along with the show's lax culture. He even looked as though he deliberately read from cue cards during the live performance.
Ray Charles (1977)
After releasing True to Life, Ray Charles blessed the SNL stage with a handful of beautiful musical performances, including "I Can See Clearly Now," "What'd I Say," "Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin,'" and a medley that incorporated [52] "I Got a Woman," "I Believe to My Soul," "Them That Got," and "Hit the Road Jack."
Paul Simon (1975, 1976, 1986, 1987)
Paul Simon has been on Saturday Night Live [53] . . . a lot, to say the very least. He appeared on the series as a host and musical guest four times and as a musical guest nine times. We last saw him in 2018, when he was a musical guest promoting his new album In the Blue Light. Here's a monologue of him from 1976.
