Who Remembers When Robert Downey Jr. Dressed up as George Michael for a “Saturday Night Live” Episode in 1985

During his tenure on Saturday Night Live (SNL) in the 1985–1986 season, Robert Downey Jr. portrayed George Michael in a sketch that aired on December 14, 1985. This episode was hosted by Tom Hanks with musical guest Sade. In the sketch, Downey Jr. performed an impression of the Wham! frontman, showcasing his comedic versatility. Although the season faced challenges and is often viewed as one of the show’s weaker periods, Downey Jr.’s portrayal of George Michael remains a notable moment from his time on SNL.

Robert Downey Jr. was indeed a cast member on SNL during the 1985–1986 season. He joined the show as part of a major cast overhaul in Season 11, which was led by producer Lorne Michaels after returning to the show. This season is often considered one of the weaker ones in SNL history, largely due to the cast being filled with talented actors who didn’t quite click in the sketch comedy format.

Despite Downey Jr.’s future acclaim as a dramatic actor, his SNL stint wasn’t particularly well-received. Even Rolling Stone once ranked him as one of the worst cast members in the show’s history—not due to lack of talent, but because sketch comedy wasn’t a great fit for his strengths.