cast by season

Fred Armisen returns for his 10th season of "Saturday Night Live" this fall.

Armisen has proven through the years that he is a true chameleon when it comes to impressions, and audiences have marveled at the effortlessness with which he switches from character to character. Most notably, Armisen took on the roles of U.S. President Barack Obama and former New York Governor David Patterson. Armisen has also contributed memorable impressions of Larry King, Libyan Dictator Muammar Gaddafi and Iranian President Mahmoud Amadinejad in the popular Digital Short "Iran So Far Away"; and Prince, the often-silent host of the musician's talk show "The Prince Show." Other unforgettable characters of Armisen's include the distracted court stenographer Elinda Nade, the political comedian Nicholas Fehn, and Mr. Vogelcheck.

Armisen has landed on Rolling Stone's Hot List as well as appeared several times on Entertainment Weekly's Must List. He's appeared in countless feature films, including the animated feature "The Smurfs"; "Cop Out," alongside Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan; "Confessions of a Shopaholic" opposite Isla Fisher; "The Rocker"; and "The Promotion."

Armisen also co-created, co-wrote, and stars in the critically acclaimed IFC comedy series "Portlandia." Currently taping their second season, the show takes a comedic and whimsical look at the eco-friendly city of Portland, Oregon.

Armisen began his career as a musician in the Chicago-based post-punk band Trenchmouth as well as playing with Blue Man Group. His transition to comedy came with the 1998 underground short film "Fred Armisen's Guide to Music and SXSW" which followed him through the Austin, Texas South by Southwest Music Festival posing as a music journalist. In 2006, he tried his hand at actual musical journalism, profiling the indie darling Cat Power for the influential music website Pitchfork.com.He blended music and comedy, becoming drummer Jens Hannemann and releasing an instructional DVD "Complicated Drumming Technique" in 2007.

Armisen lives in New York City. His birthday is December 4.