SNL Halloween Costume Ideas: Saturday Night Live Characters of the 1990s

If you love Saturday Night Live and find yourself invited to a Halloween or other costume party, there are a bevy of characters you can become. Focusing on SNL characters who reached peak popularity in the 1990s, I have assembled a brief guide to ten different Saturday Night Live costumes. You’ll find a mix of male and female solo characters as well as memorable duos from America’s favourite sketch comedy show.

SNL Halloween Costume Ideas: Mary Katherine Gallagher
Played by Molly Shanon on 18 SNL appearance from 1995-2001.
One of the most enduring spoofs of the Caholic schoolgirl, Mary Katherine makes an excellent SNL Halloween costume. She’s instantly recognizable, and her look is easy to pull together by raiding friends’ closets or thrift stores: cheap plastic glasses, white collared shirt, tall white socks, plaid skirt. navy sweater vest with insignia, and red hair band. Superstar!!!

SNL Halloween Costume Ideas: Stuart Smalley
Played by Al Franken on 19 SNL appearances from 1991-1995.
Bringing us daily affirmations, Stuart was such a consistent presence on SNL that everyone was saying “I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it…people like me.” This is a very easy costume: a yellow button-down shirt - buttoned to the very top - complemented with a light blue cardigan and khakis. If possible, coif your hair Stuart-style.

SNL Halloween Costume Ideas: Helen Madden the Joyologist
Played by Molly Shannon on 9 SNL appearances from 1996-2000.
“I love it, I love it, I love it!!!” she shouts, while kicking her leg and sitting in the most awkward positions. There’s no one exact outfit for Helen – just look for something loud and flowery on top, maybe a vest. If it resembles the print on the lobby couch of a HoJo in Pensacola, you’re probably nailing it. Pair with a bow in the hair, tacky beaded jewelry, blue eyeshadow, and some kind of women’s “slacks,” ensuring you can kick.