Adam Sandler performs heartfelt song honoring 50 years of SNL at ‘SNL50’ anniversary special

Adam Sandler returned for SNL 50, performing a heartfelt song that honored past cast members.

Adam Sandler paid tribute to Saturday Night Live’s five-decade legacy with an original song during the SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Sunday night (Feb. 16). The actor and comedian, who was a cast member from 1991 to 1995, returned to the stage at 30 Rockefeller Plaza with his acoustic guitar to celebrate the iconic sketch comedy show’s history.

The song, titled 50 Years, blended humor and sentimentality as Sandler reflected on the show’s long-running impact. He opened with a joke about shared experiences among SNL cast members, singing, “Everyone in this room has something in common, all of our lives were changed by this show/ Everyone in this room has something else in common, we weren’t allowed to use the little bathroom in Lorne’s office.” Throughout the performance, he acknowledged the recurring debate over the best SNL cast, humorously conceding that while every generation of performers claims superiority, the original cast remains unmatched.

As the song progressed, Sandler shifted from humor to nostalgia, paying tribute to late cast members like Chris Farley, Phil Hartman, and Jan Hooks. The emotional moment resonated with the audience, reminding many of his signature Weekend Update performances with songs like The Chanukah Song and Red Hooded Sweatshirt.

The SNL50 special also featured musical performances from other artists. Miley Cyrus and Brittany Howard covered Sinéad O’Connor’s Nothing Compares 2 U, while Sabrina Carpenter and Paul Simon opened the show with Homeward Bound. Carpenter later appeared in the Domingo sketch alongside Bad Bunny.

For those who missed it, SNL shared Sandler’s full performance on its official X account, formerly Twitter, allowing fans to relive the special moment.