Hosting SNL is no small feat, as the hosts have to not only show off their comedy chops, but do it live for both viewers and a studio audience. Performing on SNL is intimidating. So imagine singing and acting?
A variety of artists have attempted the feat of hosting SNL and performing their music live in the same night. Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny was the latest join the club, hosting the show on Oct. 21, 2023. But his hosting/performing gig is predated by 45 other artists.
Paul Simon
The Simon half of Simon & Garfunkel has pulled doubly duty a total of 4 times, including the second episode of SNL ever.
Lily Tomlin
Tomlin is much better known for her stand-up comedy, but she has performed while hosting two times.
Desi Arnaz
Mr. Lucille Bell has only appeared on SNL once, and pulled double duty during his only appearance.
Kris Kristofferson
Kristofferson has made only one appearance on SNL as well, performing and hosting the same year his iconic film A Star is Born premiered.
Ray Charles
The soul man himself made only one appearance on SNL and brought down Studio 8H with a whopping 4 songs.
Art Garfunkel
Not wanting Paul Simon to have all the fun, Garfunkel took his own turn hosting SNL 3 years later.
The Rolling Stones
The first band to host, the Stones gave a rocking start to SNL‘s 4th season. As of October 2023, they’re still the only music group to pull double duty as well.
Frank Zappa
Zappa famously told the audience he was reading off cue cards the entire night, and allegedly his behavior backstage got the singer banned from ever returning to SNL.
Ricky Nelson
As part of his comeback in the ’70s, former teen heartthrob Ricky Nelson used his appearance as a way to improve his disappointing record sales.
Gary Busey
Another actor who many forget has some musical chops, Busey was one of several musical guests that evening.
Debbie Harry
She may be best known for leading the band Blondie, but during the band’s hiatus in 1981, Harry recorded her debut album and pulled double duty on SNL.
Olivia Newton-John
The “Physical” singer had proven herself as an actress before, so it was a no brainer to let Newton-John take double reins of the show.
Stevie Wonder
With Eddie Murphy constantly doing impressions of Wonder on SNL already, having the two side by side was a magical night.
Willie Nelson
The country star rocked the stage thanks to an iconic performance of “The Boyfriend Song,” where Nelson recruited some SNL cast members to perform alongside him.
Dolly Parton
Even before she made waves in Steel Magnolias, Parton gave a taste of her comedic talents through SNL.
Quincy Jones
The legendary music producer may not be an obvious choice for SNL host, but he managed to put on quite a show.
Sting
Technically speaking, Sting has only pulled double duty once. But his second hosting appearance in 1997 featured a performance of “My One & Only Love” from the Police frontman.
M.C. Hammer
Tragically, M.C. Hammer’s time on SNL did not feature a performance of “U Can’t Touch This,” but he performed the Razzie-winning song “Addams Groove.”
Deion Sanders
Note to self: Don’t let an NFL player host SNL and also perform his music unless you want a disaster.
Garth Brooks
Not only has Brooks hosted and performed twice, but he brough out Chris Gaines the second time he hosted.
Britney Spears
One of the youngest SNL hosts in history, Spears has made not one, but two appearances pulling double duty.
Jennifer Lopez
Even with a 9 year gap between gigs, Lopez has managed to bring down Studio 8H and remind us why we love Jenny from the Block.
Justin Timberlake
Part of the 5-Timers club on SNL, Timberlake has the achievement of also pulling double duty three times, just short of Paul Simon’s record.
Janet Jackson
Facing live TV just 2 months after the infamous Super Bowl incident, Jackson put on a great show hosting and performing on SNL.
Queen Latifah
While there was no doubt in Latifah killing it as host, it was great seeing the comedian show off her vocal chops as well.
Ludacris
Luda truly was everywhere in the early 2000s, including pulling a double duty gig on SNL.
Taylor Swift
Surprisingly, the mega-star has only pulled double duty once in 2009, promoting her second album Fearless.
Elton John
Taking 30 years between appearances, the British legend finally made a long-awaited hosting gig in 2011.
Mick Jagger
Thanks to The Rolling Stones’ appearance in the 70s, Mick Jagger has pulled double duty twice.
Bruno Mars
Mars already wowed listeners with his smooth vocals, but the singer wow audiences with his comedic chops as well in 2012.
Justin Bieber
Bieber’s 2012 hosting gig was famously trashed by SNL cast members at the time, criticizing the singer’s behavior and his posse backstage.
Miley Cyrus
The former Disney starlet has pulled double duty twice, wearing nearly as many wigs as she did during her Hannah Montana days.
Lady Gaga
Even before her A Star is Born role, Gaga made it clear that Mother Monster can act and sing.
Drake
Channeling his Degrassi days, Drake has made two visits as host and performer.
Blake Shelton
For those who don’t watch The Voice, the country star is quite funny, as his hosting/performing gig on SNL showed.
Ariana Grande
If her Jimmy Fallon appearance didn’t prove her vocal impression are on point, Grande’s hosting gig definitely did.
Donald Glover
There arguably isn’t a better pick for a guest to pull host and performer duties than Glover.
Halsey
A unique choice to say the least, Halsey managed to pull off double duty in 2019.
Chance the Rapper
Halloween episodes are always a special occasion in Studio 8H, and Chance’s double duty show was no different.
Harry Styles
The former One Direction star made his hosting debut pulling double duty and managed to win fans over with his wit.
Nick Jonas
We already know Nick brags about being the only Jo Bro to have hosted SNL and performed the same night.
Billie Eilish
In case you need to feel old, Eilish’s double duty episode marked the first time a host was born in the 21st century.
Lizzo
We already knew Lizzo was hilarious based on her Tweets, but her SNL appearance just sealed the deal.
Megan Thee Stallion
Before she pissed off Marvel fans, Megan was making the stage at Studio 8H her own all night long.
Jack Harlow
Similar to Chance the Rapper, the “First Class” rapper got to pull double duty during Halloween, and even got a visit from David S. Pumpkins.
Bad Bunny
With everyone from Pedro Pascal to Lady Gaga stopping by, Bad Bunny’s first time hosting left a favorable impression.
