If you’re curious about the most infamous moments when “Saturday Night Live” cast members lost their composure and laughed during a sketch, Looper’s latest video dives right into that topic. Character breaks on “SNL” are particularly intriguing for a range of reasons. Primarily, they disrupt the sketch, happening despite Lorne Michaels’ strict instructions to maintain character at all times.

These spontaneous laughs offer insight into the cast members’ comedic instincts and what really makes them laugh, revealing their behind-the-scenes chemistry. It feels like you’re peeking into a casual gathering of friends, rather than watching polished, professional comedians. When a favorite performer breaks character, it becomes an even more charming moment.

Perhaps the most significant aspect of “SNL” character breaks is how rare they actually are, given that the show runs live and actors have only one shot to get it right. Each time they crack up, it highlights just how often they’ve maintained their composure despite delivering some of the most absurdly funny lines imaginable.

Some “SNL” character breaks have become legendary, ranking alongside the show’s classic sketches. Heidi Gardner, known for her stoic performances, notably broke character while portraying NewsNation host Bobbi Moore in 2024. A famous incident in 2004 saw the entire cast succumbing to laughter during Rachel Dratch’s first appearance as Debbie Downer, transforming the sketch’s failure into part of the humor.

“Weekend Update” hosts, with the flexibility to play the baffled straight man, often laugh openly with eccentric guests or due to unexpected prompter cues. Jimmy Fallon, in particular, was known for frequently breaking character, which became both his signature and a topic of debate.

Iconic cast members like Kate McKinnon and Will Ferrell are known for breaking other performers, while Bill Hader famously combined dedication to his roles with occasional uncontrollable laughter. Then-writer John Mulaney famously made Hader break character during Stefon sketches by secretly adding new jokes to the prompter. Looper’s video above recaps these and more unforgettable moments — try watching without breaking into laughter yourself.