Saturday Night Live isn’t just a comedy institution—it’s a rite of passage. For nearly 50 years, hosting the show has marked a career milestone for actors, comedians, and even athletes. But reach that rare fifth hosting gig, and you’re welcomed into an exclusive fraternity: the SNL Five-Timers Club, complete with velvet robes, tongue-in-cheek sketches, and cameos from fellow inductees.
While the club is often associated with comedy greats like Steve Martin or Tom Hanks, music has played a central role in the show’s DNA since 1975. A select few musicians have crossed over into that hallowed territory of five or more host gigs, while others have become so synonymous with SNL that their frequent guest spots feel just as iconic.
Let’s break down the musicians who’ve earned their Five-Timers status—and the artists who may not have hosted as often, but whose fingerprints are all over Studio 8H.
Official Musical Five-Timers
Paul Simon: The Original Member
Paul Simon didn’t just perform on SNL—he helped define its earliest years. Hosting four times in the show’s first decade (1975, 1976, 1986, and 1987) and again in 1990, Simon became the first musician to cement Five-Timer status. He wasn’t just a musical guest either; his comedic chops turned him into a recurring figure in sketches, most famously the 1976 monologue where he appeared in a turkey costume.
Simon’s close friendship with Lorne Michaels only solidified his place as SNL’s unofficial musical patron saint. He’s performed on the show countless times outside of hosting, from “Still Crazy After All These Years” in the premiere season to a moving “The Boxer” with Ladysmith Black Mambazo in 1986. Simon’s presence is so intertwined with SNL that it’s hard to separate the two.
Justin Timberlake: From Boy Band to Comedy Gold
If Paul Simon is the serious elder statesman of the Five-Timers, Justin Timberlake is the class clown who somehow aced every exam. Timberlake’s five official hosting stints (2003, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2013) cemented him as not only a pop star but also one of SNL’s most reliable comedy ringers.
From the “Barry Gibb Talk Show” with Jimmy Fallon to “Bring It On Down to Omeletteville,” Timberlake blurred the line between host and cast member. His 2006 digital short “Dick in a Box” with Andy Samberg won an Emmy and became one of the most replayed sketches of the YouTube era. For many, Timberlake’s repeated returns proved that musicians could be more than stiff monologue readers—they could become comedy icons.
Justin Bieber: The Pop Prince of Studio 8H
While not as universally beloved as Timberlake, Justin Bieber has hit the Five-Timers mark by a mix of hosting and guest appearances. Bieber’s hosting debut came in 2013, but his presence on SNL stretches back further: he was a musical guest in 2010 and popped up in sketches before his official hosting gig.
Bieber’s charm is in his willingness to poke fun at himself. In one sketch, he played a high school student overdoing Valentine’s Day gestures, while in another he joined in a Miley Cyrus parody of his own persona. Love him or roll your eyes, Bieber’s repeated SNL stints capture his arc from teen idol to pop mainstay—and yes, he’s got the jacket to prove it.
Honorary Status: Jack White’s Special Induction
Jack White hasn’t hosted SNL five times—but he still holds a unique spot in the Five-Timers Club lore. After filling in on short notice for canceled acts (including Morgan Wallen in 2020) and consistently delivering standout performances, White was awarded an honorary induction in a sketch during the pandemic era.
Why the exception? Because few modern artists embody SNL’s spirit of unpredictability and reinvention like Jack White. His blistering 2002 performance of “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground” with The White Stripes remains a fan favorite, and his 2012 solo set showcased his knack for pushing boundaries. White may not have hosted, but his status as one of SNL’s most dependable—and electrifying—musicians earned him a robe nonetheless.
Frequent Musical Guests
Not every artist wants—or needs—to host. Some musicians let their instruments do the talking, returning again and again to Studio 8H just to perform. A few names stand above the rest:
- Dave Grohl (16 appearances): If there’s an unofficial king of SNL musical guests, it’s Grohl. Between Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Them Crooked Vultures, and guest spots with Mick Jagger and Tom Petty, Grohl has practically worn out the stage. His 2011 Foo Fighters performance of “Walk” brought down the house, and his sheer range of appearances shows his enduring connection to the show.
- Gwen Stefani (5 appearances): Twice with No Doubt and three times solo, Stefani has been a reliable draw for SNL since the ’90s. Her 1996 performance of “Don’t Speak” with No Doubt introduced her voice to millions, while her solo stints leaned into her colorful, eccentric persona.
- Chris Martin (8 appearances): Whether solo or with Coldplay, Martin is nearly an SNL regular. Coldplay’s 2001 debut brought “Yellow” to an American audience, while their 2019 appearance added gravitas to the show’s musical legacy. Martin even popped up in sketches, most memorably kissing Will Ferrell in a parody of The Bachelor.
These artists may not have the robes of the Five-Timers, but their repeated presence shows just how much SNL values them as cultural mainstays.