Kenan Thompson – 20 seasons and counting (2003–present)
Thompson, who first debuted in the 1990 Nickelodeon sketch series “All That” and co-starred with Kel Mitchell in the 1996–2000 sitcom “Cannon & Kel”, joined “SNL” in 2003. After two years as a featured player on “SNL,” he was promoted in 2005—and cemented his reputation as the longest-serving member in the show’s history. best character: Deondre Hall, “What’s Up With That,” Steve Harvey, “Cinema Classics” host Reese D’Whate, Al Sharpton