SNL's Shifting Faces
Every Saturday Night Live host by sex and race since the show’s inception. SNL has only recently begun to meaningfully incorporate women of color as hosts.
white men
men of color
Cicely Tyson was the first woman of color to host SNL in 1979.
white women
women of color
1975
1979
It took seven
seasons for
another woman
of color to host.
1983
1987
1991
1995
1999
2003
2007
2011
2015
2019
2023
In its current season, SNL has
had five hosts that were
women of color, marking the
most in any given season.
Note: Data as of May 2023. SNL has not had a non-binary host. Some episodes had more than one host.
Graphic: Taylor Johnston • Source: The SNL Archives
SNL's Shifting Faces
Every Saturday Night Live host by sex and race since the show’s inception. SNL has only recently begun to meaningfully incorporate women of color as hosts.
white men
men of color
white women
women of color
Cicely Tyson was the first
woman of color to host
SNL in 1979.
1975
1981
It took seven seasons
for another woman
of color to host SNL.
In 1986, Oprah
Winfrey broke the
barrier once again.
1987
In its 26th season,
SNL finally saw two
women of color
take on hosting
duties, marking a
significant milestone
after 15 seasons.
1993
1999
2005
2011
In its current season, SNL
has had five hosts that
were women of color,
marking the most in any
given season.
2017
2023
Note: Data as of May 2023. SNL has not had a non-binary host. Some episodes had more than one host.
Graphic: Taylor Johnston • Source: The SNL Archives