A Totally Objective Ranking of Bill Hader Impressions

Since his departure from Saturday Night Live nearly a decade ago, Bill Hader has gone onto a fruitful career. Leading films, voice acting, and creating/helming one of the best TV shows in recent years, Barry. Through the variety of his roles thus far, Hader has exemplified his many sides. From widespread recognition as SNL favourite Stefon, to rom com lead in Trainwreck, and even providing the voice of BB-8 in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This well roundedness has allowed Hader to form a reputation as a skillful impressionist. With a taste for the obscure, which caricatures have made the list?  

Harry Styles is one of Hader’s worst impressions. Put on the spot within the intensely artificial atmosphere of the The Ellen Show, Hader was mercilessly poked like a dancing bear in a mini game. When asked to give Harry Styles at the gym a shot, he reverts to a standard English accent. While Hader can’t be blamed for this one, the bar has to be set somewhere.

Jason Sudeikis is a hard one to pin down, largely on account of his lack of distinctive physical traits. Keep in mind this was well before Sudeikis’ turn as the beloved Ted Lasso, as well as the now iconic signature moustache. Instead Hader utilises Sudeikis’ frequent consumption of gum as the hook for a shot at his SNL co-star. 

Clint Eastwood as a caricature largely relies on his costuming. In various skits, the actor/director/politician is depicted with the help of comically high pants. From hypothetical auditions and Chrysler ads, to comedy tours based on Eastwood’s appearance at a Republican National Convention, the impression had a considerable run on SNL.

Vincent Price also relies on costuming and props. The seminal character actor is best known for his ominous voice as a narrator, so that would be considered the most important element. While Hader doesn’t quite nail the aural side, the character is no less funny.

Fred Armisen may be Hader’s most frequent collaborator. They often partnered up during their time on Saturday Night Live, as well as parody gem Documentary Now! It’s no wonder they can be seen mimicking each other. According to Bill Hader, the trick to nailing Armisen is to remember he ‘talks with his hands and he just talks about Portland all the time.’

Brought to the screen in an episode covered in the documentary Saturday Night, Hader's John Malkovich is more complex than it perhaps needs to be. Opposite Malkovich himself, Hader plays an Italian talk show host who mocks his guest back at him. So, in a way, it's an Italian interpretation of Malkovich’s trademark cadence.

James Mason, known for the North by Northwest, Lolita, and 1954’s A Star is Born, is not high on the least of the easily imitated. When playing more general characters, Bill Hader has a knack for the old-timey 1940s radio announcer. This unorthodox talent comes in handy with James Mason. Performed for his Saturday Night Live audition, Hader went for a scene in which Mason tries to use an expired gift certificate for a dozen donuts. There isn’t any significant crossover between SNL fans and people who know who James Mason was (let alone how he sounded). The sheer specificity of this one is what makes it work, whether or not you pick up on the details.

Seth Rogen and Bill Hader have paired up for the likes of Superbad, Pineapple Express, and Sausage Party. Unlike the more obscure selection of muses, Rogen is often impersonated, to varying degrees of success. What sets Hader apart is his decision to avoid Rogen’s signature laugh. Instead, Hader recalls funny stories while shifting in and out of Rogen’s speech patterns and distinct voice.

Keith Morrison is an impression afforded by Bill Hader’s love of true crime. The host of Dateline is achieved through chilling calmness as he delivers some of the most horrific crime details you can imagine. Hader makes it funnier by playing up the joy Morrison derives from such grizzly stories.  The best part about the Keith Morrison impersonation is how much fun it seems to be.

Al Pacino and his hallmark explosive acting style is always an easy laugh. Not only is it one of his more frequent impersonations, but Hader’s Pacino has taken it to the next level with a number of shots at Pacino taking on specific roles. The ‘You’re a Rat Bastard, Charlie Brown’ skit indulges the unlikely occurrence of Al Pacino playing Charlie Brown himself, opposite the likes of Martin Short as Larry David as Linus, and Kate Mckinnon as Edie Falco as Lucy. For such a meta piece, Hader’s Pacino stands out. 

Honourable mentions: Tauntaun, Arnold Schwarznegger, Lorne Michaels, Harvey Fierstein.

Alan Alda is Hader at his best. Much like most of Hader’s best work,isn’t someone you typically see under a microscope of mimicry. A version of the M*A*S*H star is employed most notably in sketches that depict hypothetical auditions for iconic films like Back to the Future, Jurassic Park, and Top Gun. Instead of an interpretation, Hader’s take on Alda is an exact duplication of the distinct cadence and manner.