Chris Parnell
Acting • Born 1967-02-05
Biography
Thomas Christopher "Chris" Parnell (born February 5, 1967) is an American comic actor best known as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1998–2006 and currently for his recurring role as Dr. Leo Spaceman on NBC's Emmy Award-winning comedy series 30 Rock. Parnell is currently one of the lead voices on the FX animated comedy Archer. In 2010, Parnell starred alongside his former SNL castmate Horatio Sanz in the Comedy Central series Big Lake. After performing as a company player with The Groundlings for a number of years, Parnell was hired to join the cast of Saturday Night Live as a featured player on September 26, 1998, and was promoted to repertory player the following season. In the summer of 2001, budget cuts and hiring four new cast members required Lorne Michaels to dismiss two cast members; he chose to lay off Parnell and Jerry Minor over Horatio Sanz, Rachel Dratch, and Maya Rudolph. While on SNL, Parnell appeared in numerous sketches, and commercial parodies, and performed memorable impressions of various celebrities. One of his most popular sketches is Lazy Sunday, a rap video he shot with Andy Samberg about buying cupcakes and going to see The Chronicles of Narnia. He has also performed raps about hosts Jennifer Garner, Britney Spears, Kirsten Dunst and Ashton Kutcher. In the summer of 2006, Lorne Michaels announced that four cast members would be fired due to budget cuts, but he did not say who. On September 22, 2006 it was announced that three cast members had been fired: Parnell, Horatio Sanz, and Finesse Mitchell. This effectively made him the only SNL performer to have been fired twice by Lorne Michaels, though Parnell did say in a 2008 interview with The Sound of Young America podcast that he was okay with being let go this time, because he was considering leaving after that season anyway, but added that he probably would have stayed one last season if he was asked back. He had been with SNL for eight seasons; at the time only four people (Darrell Hammond, Tim Meadows, Kevin Nealon, and Al Franken) have been cast members longer. He has since made uncredited cameo appearances on the show, most recently in 2008 parodying newscasters Tom Brokaw, Jim Lehrer, and Bob Schieffer. Parnell and his former SNL castmate Horatio Sanz recently starred together in Big Lake, a 2010 sitcom on Comedy Central from executive producers Will Ferrell and Adam McKay. He also recently appeared as Dr. Drummer/Santa in the SyFy Holiday Special episode from the television show Eureka, which aired on December 7, 2010 (Season 4 Episode 10).
Filmography
201 credits
Hot Rod
Movie • 2007
Barry Pasternack
Down with Love
Movie • 2003
TV Emcee
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Movie • 2007
Theo
Evil Alien Conquerors
Movie • 2003
Du-ug
Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
Movie • 2004
Garth Holliday
Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie
Movie • 2004
Garth Holliday
Turbo
Movie • 2013
Announcer #2 (voice)
I'm Reed Fish
Movie • 2007
Ralph
Yung Punx: A Punk Parable
Movie • 2021
therapist (voice)
Eavesdrop
Movie • 2008
Terrence
Paper Man
Movie • 2009
Peter
Escape from Planet Earth
Movie • 2013
Hammer (voice)
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Movie • 2022
Dave Bollinari (voice)
Answer This!
Movie • 2011
Brian Collins
Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice
Movie • 2011
Mr. Thistleton (voice)
Electric City
Movie • 2012
Voice Actor (voice)
Millennial Hunter
Movie • 2023
John (voice)
Break Point
Movie • 2014
Jay LaRoche
As We Know It
Movie • 2023
Ted Sommers
Hot Mess Holiday
Movie • 2021
Mike
Austin Found
Movie • 2017
Alan Dickinson
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Will Ferrell
Movie • 2002
Self / Various (archive footage)
Kung Fu Magoo
Movie • 2010
Cole Fusion / Ninja (voice)
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Commercial Parodies
Movie • 2006
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Amy Poehler
Movie • 2009
Edward Turlington (archive footage)
Our Little Secret
Movie • 2024
Veterinarian
Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again
Movie • 2022
Washington (voice)
Ira & Abby
Movie • 2006
Dr. Ronald Silverberg
The Ridiculous 6
Movie • 2015
Bank Manager
The Grand
Movie • 2007
Harold Melvin
Jeff Dunham: Unhinged in Hollywood
Movie • 2015
Self
Hotel Transylvania
Movie • 2012
Mr. Fly (voice)
The Ladies Man
Movie • 2000
Phil Swanson
Sisters
Movie • 2015
Phil
Jingle All the Way
Movie • 1996
Toy Store Sales Clerk
Labor Pains
Movie • 2009
Jerry Steinwald
The Religetables
Movie • 2002
Micro Budget
Movie • 2026
Toby
Harold
Movie • 2008
Coach Vanderpool
Kabluey
Movie • 2007
Frank
Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special
Movie • 2017
Dr. Vince Harbert
Elena and the Secret of Avalor
Movie • 2016
Migs (voice)
Looking for Kitty
Movie • 2004
Guy Borne
The Five-Year Engagement
Movie • 2012
Bill
Barely Legal
Movie • 2003
Mr. Ronald Greitzer
Life of the Party
Movie • 2018
Mr. Truzack (Wayne)
AJ's Infinite Summer
Movie • 2014
Dad (voice)
Hollywood & Wine
Movie • 2011
Peter West
Battle of the Sexes
Movie • 2017
DJ
The Dictator
Movie • 2012
News Anchor
The Better Half
Movie • 2015
Daniel
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
Movie • 2018
Walter
21 Jump Street
Movie • 2012
Mr. Gordon
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation
Movie • 2018
Stan / Fish Man (voice)
Hotel Transylvania 2
Movie • 2015
Fly (voice)
Slice
Movie • 2018
Mayor Tracy
The Laundromat
Movie • 2019
Doomed Gringo #2
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues
Movie • 2013
Garth Holliday
The Last Laugh
Movie • 2019
Charlie Green
Sunny and Share Love You
Movie • 2007
Kevin Keith Baker
The Women of SNL
Movie • 2010
Various (archive footage)
The Maya Rudolph Show
Movie • 2014
Self
A Freezerburnt Christmas
Movie • 2002
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. the Reverend
Movie • 2020
Junior
WordGirl: The Rise of Ms. Power
Movie • 2012
Home Sweet Home Alone
Movie • 2021
Uncle Stu
I Am Woman
Movie • 2020
Artie Mogull
Farm Sluts
Movie • 2003
Larry
Finding ʻOhana
Movie • 2021
Brown
Senior Year
Movie • 2022
Jim Conway
The Dogfather
Movie • 2010
Brian Franks
Elena of Avalor: Realm of the Jaquins
Movie • 2017
Migs (voice)
In Fidelity
Movie • 2024
Lyle Ayker
The Dink
Movie • 2026
SNL50: The Homecoming Concert
Movie • 2025
Self
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
Movie • 2025
Self (archive footage)
Mimics
Movie • 2026
Jack Conrad
Harry and the Mutant Mid-Century Furniture
Movie
Wake
Movie
Saturday Night Live in the 2000s: Time and Again
Movie • 2010
Self
A Loud House Christmas Movie: Naughty or Nice
Movie • 2025
Gerald (voice)
Seinfeld
TV • 1989
NBC Executive
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Various Characters
Friends
TV • 1994
Bob
The Jamie Foxx Show
TV • 1996
Director
Ed
TV • 2000
DJ Curtis Morris
Murphy Brown
TV • 1988
30 Rock
TV • 2006
Dr. Leo Spaceman
Dawn of the Croods
TV • 2015
Snoot / Dub (voice)
Dawn of the Croods
TV • 2015
Snoot / Evil Egg (voice)
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
TV • 1993
Self - Guest
Miss Guided
TV • 2008
Bruce Terry
Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday
TV • 2008
Better Off Ted
TV • 2009
Walter
American Dad!
TV • 2005
Doctor (voice)
Gravity Falls
TV • 2012
Additional Voices (voice)
Gravity Falls
TV • 2012
Host (voice)
Archer
TV • 2009
Cyril Figgis (voice)
Marvel's M.O.D.O.K.
TV • 2021
Alvin Healy / Tenpin (voice)
Glenn Martin, DDS
TV • 2009
WordGirl
TV • 2007
Conan
TV • 2010
Self
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
TV • 2014
HOA Ambassador
Big Lake
TV • 2010
Chris Henkel
Suburgatory
TV • 2011
Fred Shay
Another Period
TV • 2015
Dr. Sigmund Freudas
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
I Just Want My Pants Back
TV • 2011
Rick and Morty
TV • 2013
Jerry Smith (voice)
Benched
TV • 2014
Mitch
Family Guy
TV • 1999
Joe Paterno (voice)
Family Guy
TV • 1999
Highway Man (voice)
Family Guy
TV • 1999
Priest / Father Raccoon (voice)
Union Square
TV • 1997
Don
Eureka
TV • 2006
Dr. Noah Drummer
Drunk History
TV • 2013
Thomas Edison
American Dad!
TV • 2005
(voice)
American Dad!
TV • 2005
Valet / Borax Employee (voice)
Dogs in Space
TV • 2021
Ed (voice)
American Dad!
TV • 2005
Francine's Drinking Buddy (voice)
American Dad!
TV • 2005
Book on Tape (voice)
American Dad!
TV • 2005
Kidnapper (voice)
Highston
TV • 2015
Wilbur Liggetts
The Spoils Before Dying
TV • 2015
Bebop Jones
Curb Your Enthusiasm
TV • 2000
Hank
Great News
TV • 2017
Gerald
My Adventures with Superman
TV • 2023
Agent Slade Wilson (voice)
Elena of Avalor
TV • 2016
Migs (voice)
Alien News Desk
TV • 2019
The Mr. Peabody & Sherman Show
TV • 2015
Mr. Peabody (voice)
Ask the Storybots
TV • 2016
The Tom and Jerry Show
TV • 2014
Narrator (voice)
BoJack Horseman
TV • 2014
Klaus / News Reporter (voice)
Conan
TV • 2010
Book Signing
Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero
TV • 2014
Judge Blort Clooney (voice)
Fish Hooks
TV • 2010
Announcer / Allibut (voice)
Childrens Hospital
TV • 2008
Ron Pippin
Late Night with Seth Meyers
TV • 2014
Self - Guest
Family Guy
TV • 1999
White Guy (voice)
Bob's Burgers
TV • 2011
Warren Fitzgerald (voice)
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
TV • 2014
Voice Over (voice)
Family Guy
TV • 1999
Target Manager / Veterinarian (voice)
Archer
TV • 2009
Siegbert Fuchs (voice)
Comedy Bang! Bang!
TV • 2012
Poseidon
grown-ish
TV • 2018
Dean Burt Parker
American Dad!
TV • 2005
Dr. Moe Munney (voice)
Happy Together
TV • 2018
Wayne
T.U.F.F. Puppy
TV • 2010
Caped Cod (voice)
Name That Tune
TV • 2021
Self - Contestant
The Life & Times of Tim
TV • 2008
William (voice)
Love, Death & Robots
TV • 2019
The Cat (voice)
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$
TV • 2016
Walton Rothchild
Miracle Workers
TV • 2019
God's Dad
Hope and Gloria
TV • 1995
Howard
Suddenly Susan
TV • 1996
Waiter
Krapopolis
TV • 2023
Ares (voice)
Match Game
TV • 2016
Self - Panelist
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
TV • 2013
Geoffrey Hoytsman
Glee
TV • 2009
Mario
black-ish
TV • 2014
Dean Parker
Fallout
TV • 2024
Overseer Benjamin
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self
Will & Grace
TV • 2017
Dr. DiLorenzo
The $100,000 Pyramid
TV • 2016
Self
The Goldbergs
TV • 2013
Harrison Whitby
TV Funhouse
TV • 2000
James Brolin (voice)
American Dad!
TV • 2005
James Garfield / Mint Worker (voice)
Family Guy
TV • 1999
Smarmy (voice)
Drunk History
TV • 2013
Jim Bowie
Drunk History
TV • 2013
King Charles II
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
TV • 2015
Junior
Dummy
TV • 2020
Agent Chett
Comedy Bang! Bang!
TV • 2012
Stephendorff
Rhett & Link's Buddy System
TV • 2016
Vice Chairman
Close Enough
TV • 2020
Ron (voice)
American Dad!
TV • 2005
Co-Worker (voice)
Suddenly Susan
TV • 1996
Phil
Garfunkel and Oates
TV • 2014
Stan
Caroline in the City
TV • 1995
Gene
American Dad!
TV • 2005
James Garfield (voice)
Conrad Bloom
TV • 1998
Simpson
Family Guy
TV • 1999
Priest (voice)
American Dad!
TV • 2005
Train Actor (voice)
Adam Ruins Everything
TV • 2015
Family Guy
TV • 1999
Doug (voice)
Family Guy
TV • 1999
Guy at Pool / Priest (voice)
The Simpsons
TV • 1989
Surgeon fiancé (voice)
Family Guy
TV • 1999
Card Store Owner (voice)
Dawn of the Croods
TV • 2015
Snoot (voice)
Bad Judge
TV • 2014
Douglas Riller
American Dad!
TV • 2005
Funeral Speaker (voice)
Oh My God... Yes! A Series of Extremely Relatable Circumstances
TV • 2025
Ted (voice)
Love, Death & Robots
TV • 2019
Sanchez (voice)
Workaholics
TV • 2011
Bruce Benson
Drunk History
TV • 2013
Carl Sagan
The Hawk
TV
Anton
Robot Chicken
TV • 2005
Scooter / Major Nelson (voice)
Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!
TV • 2015
Dustin Wallswreath / Jim McCoy / Cop (voice)
The Hughleys
TV • 1998
Rick
SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night
TV • 2025
Self
Batman: The Audio Adventures
TV • 2021
Narrator