All 36 athletes who have hosted 'Saturday Night Live'

Jalen Brunson will host the season 52 premiere of "Saturday Night Live." Gregory Shamus/Getty Images Usually, "Saturday Night Live" is hosted by an actor or comedian, or sometimes a musician. But every so often, a brave athlete will try their hand at live sketch comedy at Studio 8H. Jalen Brunson will be the latest to give it a go on September 26, 2026. Who wants to bet we'll hear "Live from New York, Knicks in five!" this weekend? Anyone? Maybe you'd be more willing to take those odds when you learn that Knicks star Jalen Brunson is hosting "Saturday Night Live" this weekend, making him a part of a somewhat rare club: the athlete who's tried their hand at sketch comedy and hosted "SNL." In over 1,000 episodes of the show, just 36 athletes have taken the big job at Studio 8H. Charles Barkley, Travis Kelce, Michael Jordan, Ronda Rousey, Wayne Gretzky, LeBron James, Nancy Kerrigan, and Michael Phelps have all hosted the show before, to varying degrees of success, so Brunson is in good company. Here's the full list of athletes who have hosted "SNL." The first athlete to ever host "Saturday Night Live" was Fran Tarkenton on January 29, 1977, while he was playing for the Minnesota Vikings. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 13 -- Air Date 01/29/1977 --Pictured: (l-r) John Belushi, football star Fran Tarkenton during "Community Appeal" skit on January 29, 1977 NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images Tarkenton hosted during the second season of the show, with musical guests Leo Sayer and Donny Harper. The famed quarterback appeared on the show just 10 days after his team lost to the Oakland Raiders in Super Bowl XI. On February 25, 1978, controversial former football pro OJ Simpson became the second athlete to host "Saturday Night Live." SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 12 -- Pictured: O.J. Simpson during the monologue on February 25, 1978 NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images Simpson can be seen here wearing one of the famous Coneheads. He appeared on the episode alongside musical guest Ashford and Simpson. Legendary basketball player Bill Russell hosted on November 3, 1979. "SNL." NBCUniversal Russell's episode aired during season five of the show, and he was accompanied by musical guest Chicago. Football coaching icon John Madden made his way to Studio 8H on January 30, 1982. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 10 -- Aired 01/30/1982 -- Pictured: (l-r) John Madden as himself during the "Bengal's Locker Room" skit on January 30, 1982. ( NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images During this time, Madden was working as a sportscaster for NFL games — clearly, hosting was in his wheelhouse. The musical guest for this season seven episode was Jennifer Holliday. Former baseball player, Milwaukee Brewers announcer, and occasional actor Bob Uecker took on hosting duties during the October 13, 1984, episode. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 2 -- Pictured: Bob Uecker during the Monologue on October 13, 1984 Reggie Lewis/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images Uecker was the announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers for over 50 years, until his death in January 2025. He also made frequent appearances as "Mr. Baseball" on "The Tonight Show" under Johnny Carson's tenure, and starred on "Mr. Belvedere" for over 100 episodes. Uecker was joined by Peter Wolf as the musical guest in this season 10 episode. Former NFL defensive tackle and actor Alex Karras hosted on February 2, 1985. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 12 -- Pictured: Alex Karras during the monologue on February 2, 1985 Al Levine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images Karras appeared 15 years after he retired from the NFL in 1970. He was smack in the middle of his starring role on the sitcom "Webster," in which he played a retired football player who took in his godson, Webster, after his parents died. The musical guest in this season 10 episode was none other than the queen herself, Tina Turner. Pro wrestlers Mr. T and Hulk Hogan co-hosted on March 30, 1985. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 15 -- Aired 03/30/1985 -- Pictured: (l-r) Mr. T, Hulk Hogan during the monologue on March 30, 1985 Alan Singer/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images Season 10 was filled to the brim with athletic hosts, including two of the most famous professional wrestlers of all time, Mr. T and Hulk Hogan, on the night before the very first WrestleMania took place on March 31, 1985, at Madison Square Garden. The wrestlers were joined by The Commodores in season 10, episode 16. Marvelous Marvin Hagler, one of the greatest middleweight boxers of all time, showed off his comedic chops on May 17, 1986. He co-hosted with journalist Jimmy Breslin. SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE -- Episode 17 -- Pictured: Marvelous Marvin Hagler during the 'Knockout Tips' skit on May 17/1986 RM Lewis Jr./NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Images Hagler hosted the show two months after what was his most recent victory (and what turned out to be his last career win ever) against John Mugabi, a silver medalist from Uganda. Bre