Mad TV was a sketch comedy show based on Mad Magazine that rivaled Saturday Night Live from the mid-90s to the 2010s. Its iconic characters, over-the-top sketches, and cheeky pop culture parodies featured the who’s who of comedy, bringing us some of the most hilarious comedians of our generation right to the comforts of our own home.
Since the show came to a screeching halt in 2016, some of the cast members have gone on to do major things, taking their success from network TV to the silver screen. Below are just a few examples of Mad TV alumni who found mass market success in the film industry.
1. Bobby Lee
"Uh-oh! Hot dog!" Comedian Bobby Lee got his start on Mad during the show's seventh season. Over the course of his nine-year run on the sketch comedy series, he became popular for his physical comedy, impressions, and racy portrayals of Asian characters, including translator Bae Sung, Tank, and the Blind Kung Fu Master. Since his appearance on the series, he has made quite a name for himself in the world of comedy with appearances in cult classics Pineapple Express and Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle.
2. Keegan-Michael Key
Keegan-Michael Key is a name that certainly rings bells around the film circuit these days, thanks in large part to his appearance on Mad TV. Not only was his emergence on the Fox show responsible for his connection with Jordan Peele, a friendship that would later open major doors for his career, but it became a major springboard for his character acting, improv and voice overs: talents that would prove useful in films like Wonka, Pinocchio, and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
3. Ken Jeong
Fans of Mad are often surprised when they hear that Ken Jeong appeared on the show, his brief six episode run tends to go over people's heads. However brief, Jeong's outrageous physical comedic style on the show proved useful on his road to stardom and was a helpful transition from his career as a physician to full blown comedic star. He would later go on to make a name for himself in raunchy 2000s comedies, starring in films like Knocked Up, Pineapple Express, and most notably The Hangover.
4. Jordan Peele
We couldn't make a list about movie stars on Mad TV without mentioning the multi-talented Jordan Peele, who is by far the most successful alumni to grace the sketch comedy series. While his former cast members found success on-screen, Peele has been breaking ground behind the scenes, becoming one of the most iconic filmmakers of our generation. His contribution to horror goes without saying, with many regarding his directorial debut, Get Out, as one of the greatest horror films of our generation.
5. Phil LaMarr
Whether you know him for his iconic voice-over work or his strikingly accurate impressions, who can forget Phil LaMarr's five-season run on Mad TV? As one of the original cast members of the show, Phil LaMarr made a name for himself as one of the show's best impersonators, with life-like portrayals of Hollywood stars like 2Pac, Chris Tucker, and Michael Jackson. Although his on-screen appearances in film are rare, you may recognize his work in the animation circuit in movies like Incredibles 2 and Disney's live-action remake of The Lion King.
6. Orlando Jones
Orlando Jones is another original Mad cast member who found major success in film, leaving the series after only two seasons to pursue a career as a movie star. Before reemerging on the series to celebrate Mad TV's 200th episode, Jones had already made a name for himself in Hollywood and was booked and busy throughout the early 2000s. You may recognize his versatile acting style in films like Drumline, Evolution, Office Space, and The Replacements.
7. Bryan Callen
Comedian Bryan Callen is a comedic legend and has been making a splash on the comedy scene since the early 90s. Before becoming a renowned podcaster and stand up comedian, he was a series regular on Mad TV during the show's first and second seasons. Since then, he has appeared in countless roles on both the small and silver screen, including Warrior, The Hangover, Joker, and Ride Along.
8. Alex Borstein
Alex Borstein is a legendary Mad TV alumni, delivering one of the sketch comedy show's most beloved characters: Miss Swan. Whether she was auditioning for The Spice Girls, a customer at a candy store, or a contestant on a dating show, Borstein's hilarious portrayal of the clueless and quirky Miss Swan was guaranteed to bring the house down in riotous laughter every single time.
Since she departed from the show in season 7, Alex Borstein has become a multi-hyphenated talent in her own right, making a name for herself in the world of animation, TV, and film. She's best known as the voice of Lois Griffin on Fox's popular animated series, Family Guy.
9. Gillian Vigman
At the start of her comedy career, Gillian Vigman became a series regular on Mad TV during the show's ninth season, and departed from the Fox series shortly after. Her sharp wit and comedic timing added to the show's vulgar style of humor, in which she became known for her portrayals of stars like Celine Dion and spot-on impressions of suburban moms. Although her appearance on the show was brief, she later found mass market success in comedic films, starring in 2000s cult classics like Step Brothers, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and most notably The Hangover franchise.
10. Ike Barinholtz
Ike Barinholtz was a series regular on Mad TV throughout the early 2000s, where he frequently collabbed with beloved alumni Josh Meyers and Bobby Lee. Throughout his five season run, Barinholtz's stood out for his loud, outrageous style of humor delivering over the top impressions of stars like Mark Wahlberg and Nick Nolte. His absurd style of comedy has since taken him to new heights, with appearances in major films like Neighbors, Suicide Squad, and The Lego Movie 2.