Brad Pitt surprised SNL viewers on Saturday (25 April) when he made his first appearance as Dr Anthony Fauci.

Saturday Night Live was returning for a second at-home episode after a first instalment two weeks prior.

Fauci has been a leading member of Donald Trump’s coronavirus task force in the US.

In real-life, the physician has previously joked that he would like Pitt to portray him on SNL – a wish that came true in the latest episode.

Pitt delivered the opening skit, in which his version of Fauci pretends to react to some of Trump’s most outlandish claims related to the coronavirus crisis. The actor later returned to introduce Miley Cyrus as the musical guest for the evening.

During the cold open, a clip of Trump predicting that the virus will disappear in a “miracle” plays out, after which Pitt’s Fauci remarks: “A miracle would be great, who doesn’t love miracles? But miracles shouldn’t be plan A.

“Even Sully tried to land at the airport first.”

The latter line was a reference to Chesley Sullenberger, the pilot who managed to safely land a plane on the Hudson River after both engines failed.

Towards the end of the segment, Pitt removed his wig and adopted a serious tone to thank Fauci and other healthcare workers.

“And to the real Dr Fauci, thank you for your calm and your clarity in this unnerving time,” he said.

“And thank you to the medical workers, first responders and their families for being on the frontline.”

Pitt has been impersonated by David Spade on SNL in the past and previously made a cameo on the programme, but his turn as Fauci marked perhaps his most high-profile appearance on the sketch show yet.