Dennis Miller's big break came in 1985, when he was discovered by Lorne Michaels. He landed a spot on the venerable hit-making machine Saturday Night Live, where he became the the Weekend Update anchor.

Fans of SNL became accustomed to his smirky delivery, high-pitched giggle, and frequently-primped hair - idiosyncrasies that would be spoofed by Dana Carvey, Tom Hanks, and Jimmy Fallon, all of whom have impersonated Miller on the show.

In 1988, Miller released a standup comedy CD, The Off-White Album, based on an HBO special titled Mr. Miller Goes To Washington. A well-received HBO special, Dennis Miller: Black & White, aired shortly after the release of the CD.

Although Miller spent much of his time on SNL behind the Weekend Update desk, he was included in some sketches and did a few recurring characters and celebrity impersonations.

[In 1992, following his departure from Saturday Night Live, Miller launched a late night TV talk show, The Dennis Miller Show. Andy Summers, formerly of the band The Police, led the house band.

Beginning in 1994, Miller hosted Dennis Miller Live, a half-hour talk show on HBO. The show ran until 2002.

In 2000, Miller beat out Rush Limbaugh and Tony Kornheiser (among others) for a job as color commentator on ABC's Monday Night Football.