Which SNL stars were absent from the 50th anniversary celebration?

SNL commemorated its 50-year anniversary through a famous star-filled telecast from February 16, 2025. The special show included various significant highlights throughout the program's prolonged evolution and honored essential sketches along with vital performers who evolved its legendary impact. Several ex-SNL members showed up at the 50th anniversary celebration but the event had an underwhelming absence of specific notable cast members, such as Bill Hader, Dan Aykroyd, Colin Quinn and Dana Carvey.

SNL viewers devoted themselves to social platforms to show their confusion and displeasure about the missing famous alumni. The show celebrated its 50th anniversary without several notable figures who either had personal responsibilities or joined unrelated ads or shows on that day.

The special continued without its missing performers, yet it honored the cultural influence that SNL had left behind through heartfelt tributes. The following SNL stars did not appear in the 50th anniversary show, which was a milestone moment for SNL.

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Notable SNL cast members absent from the SNL50

1) Bill Hader

Bill Hader spent seven years as a cast member at SNL from 2006 through 2013 and gained fame for his multiple impressions and characters particularly Stefon on Weekend Update. Hader decided to pass on the milestone special because he had a previous engagement that interfered. Hader participated in a Volkswagen commercial broadcast during the special despite missing the anniversary celebration because Wiig and Armisen appeared alongside him.

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2) Dan Aykroyd

The first-ever season of SNL in 1975 had Dan Aykroyd among its founding members, yet he made a decision to miss this special anniversary. Through his X (formerly Twitter) account, Aykroyd communicated his satisfaction about co-founding Saturday Night Live without commenting on his absence from the celebration. None of his participants offered any information regarding his absence.

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3) Colin Quinn

During the 50th anniversary special broadcast, Colin Quinn did not attend the show. He previously hosted Weekend Update between 1998 and 2000. Quinn was scheduled to perform his stand-up comedy show in Raleigh, North Carolina, on the evening that marked the anniversary special. The fans observed Quinn's absence, although the conflicting commitments were immediately clear.

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4) Dana Carvey

Dana Carvey won hearts performing on Saturday Night Live between 1986 and 1993 when he brought life to the Church Lady character as well as President George H. W. Bush. He did not, however, give a reason for his absence from the anniversary show. Fans of Saturday Night Live took note of Dana Carvey's absence as Joe Biden, as he had previously portrayed the same role earlier in the season.

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The SNL50 Anniversary Special

Steve Martin, the legendary SNL star of five decades, presented the monologue, and Paul Simon and Sabrina Carpenter collaborated on Simon's Homeward Bound to open the show. Paul McCartney gave an epic finale to a 50th anniversary special. The star-studded lineup made for an unforgettable episode, with each guest bringing their own unique energy to the show.