Back in Time Today
Saturday Night Live has brought laughter into our homes for nearly five decades, creating comedy legends along the way. Sadly, many talented performers who graced the SNL stage have left us too soon. Their characters, impressions, and hilarious sketches continue to make us laugh even years after their passing. Let’s remember these incredible comedians who helped make SNL the cultural phenomenon it remains today.
1. John Belushi: The Original Wild Man
The human tornado who helped launch SNL became an instant comedy icon. Belushi’s characters like the samurai, the bumblebee, and his spot-on Joe Cocker impression showcased his fearless physical comedy and boundless energy.
Behind his wild persona was a deeply creative performer who connected with audiences through raw authenticity. His film career in classics like “Animal House” and “The Blues Brothers” further cemented his legacy.
Tragically, Belushi’s struggle with substance abuse cut his life short at just 33 in 1982, robbing the world of decades of potential brilliance from one of comedy’s most magnetic forces.
2. Gilda Radner: Comedy’s Beloved Trailblazer
With characters like Roseanne Roseannadanna and Emily Litella, Gilda captured hearts as one of SNL’s original female stars. Her fearless comedy combined childlike wonder with sharp wit, creating unforgettable moments that still resonate today.
Off-screen, Radner’s warmth and generosity matched her immense talent. Fellow cast members often described her as the heart of the early SNL family.
After battling ovarian cancer with remarkable courage, she passed away in 1989 at age 42. Her memoir “It’s Always Something” and the cancer support centers bearing her name continue her legacy of bringing light to difficult circumstances.
3. Phil Hartman: The Man of a Thousand Voices
Known affectionately as “The Glue” for holding sketches together, Hartman’s versatility made him SNL royalty. His spot-on impressions of Bill Clinton, Frank Sinatra, and countless others showcased his remarkable range and chameleon-like ability to transform.
Beyond his mimicry skills, Hartman brought a steadying professionalism to every performance. His calm demeanor and reliable brilliance earned universal respect from castmates and writers alike.
His shocking murder at age 49 in 1998 stunned the comedy world. Hartman’s legacy lives on through his SNL characters, his voice work on The Simpsons, and his reputation as one of comedy’s most complete performers.
4. Chris Farley: The Hurricane of Hilarity
Few performers threw themselves into comedy with the abandon of Chris Farley. His sweat-soaked, full-throttle physical comedy in characters like motivational speaker Matt Foley left audiences breathless with laughter.
What made Farley special wasn’t just his willingness to fall through tables – it was the vulnerability and sweetness beneath the chaos. His Chippendales audition alongside Patrick Swayze revealed his genius for finding humor in insecurity.
Farley’s battle with addiction ended his life at just 33 in 1997. Friends remember a gentle soul whose generosity matched his oversized talent, leaving us to wonder what more this comedy giant might have achieved.
5. Jan Hooks: The Versatile Virtuoso
Master of accents, characters, and subtle comedy, Jan Hooks brought extraordinary range to her SNL performances. Her Tammy Faye Bakker, Sinead O’Connor, and Hillary Clinton impressions revealed her chameleon-like ability to transform completely.
Hooks particularly shined in her partnerships with Phil Hartman, creating the hilariously vapid Brenda and Teri on “The Sweeney Sisters” sketches. Their chemistry produced some of the show’s most memorable recurring characters.
After leaving SNL, she continued impressing in shows like “Designing Women” and “3rd Rock from the Sun.” Her death from throat cancer in 2014 at age 57 cut short a career of remarkable versatility that never received the full recognition it deserved.
6. Norm Macdonald: Master of Deadpan Delivery
With his mischievous smirk and bone-dry delivery, Norm redefined Weekend Update and carved a unique place in SNL history. His fearless joke-telling, particularly about O.J. Simpson, eventually cost him his Update chair but cemented his reputation for uncompromising comedy.
Macdonald’s brilliance extended beyond his news desk to memorable impressions of Burt Reynolds, Bob Dole, and David Letterman. His comedy often worked on multiple levels – accessible enough for casual viewers while delighting comedy purists with his subversive approach.
After privately battling cancer for nine years, Macdonald passed in 2021 at 61. Fellow comedians universally praise him as a “comedian’s comedian” whose influence extends far beyond his time on SNL.
7. Peter Aykroyd: Comedy’s Quieter Brother
Standing somewhat in the shadow of his famous brother Dan, Peter Aykroyd brought his own unique contributions to SNL. During his single season as both writer and cast member in 1979-1980, he helped shape the show during a transitional period.
Beyond SNL, Peter co-created the cult sci-fi comedy film “Nothing But Trouble” with his brother Dan. His fascination with the paranormal also led him to create the series “PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal.”
Though less publicly recognized than many SNL alumni, his behind-the-scenes contributions to comedy were significant. Peter passed away in November 2021 at age 65 from complications of sepsis, leaving behind a quieter but meaningful comedy legacy.
8. Danitra Vance: The Groundbreaking Pioneer
As SNL’s first Black female repertory player, Danitra Vance broke crucial ground in the show’s history. Despite being underutilized during her single 1985-1986 season, her characters like high school drama teacher Shakespeare in the Slums showcased her classical training and unique perspective.
Vance fought against being typecast, pushing back against limiting roles that reinforced stereotypes. Her background in theater, including an Obie Award-winning one-woman show, demonstrated her range beyond what SNL scripts often allowed.
After leaving the show, she continued performing while battling breast cancer, eventually succumbing to the disease in 1994 at just 40. Her pioneering role opened doors for future generations of Black female comedians on the show.
9. George Coe: The Distinguished Original
Among the original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players,” George Coe brought gravitas and theatrical experience to early SNL. At 46, he was significantly older than most cast members, providing a distinguished presence in the show’s groundbreaking first season.
Though his main SNL tenure lasted just one season, Coe made memorable appearances in early commercial parodies and sketches. His extensive career before and after SNL included Broadway, films like “Kramer vs. Kramer,” and voice work as Woodhouse on the animated series “Archer.”
After a long and varied career spanning stage, film, television, and voice acting, Coe passed away in 2015 at age 86. His brief but significant SNL contribution helped establish the show’s foundation.
10. Tony Rosato: The Cross-Border Comedian
One of the few performers to appear on both SNL and its Canadian counterpart SCTV, Tony Rosato brought versatile character work to both legendary sketch shows. His single SNL season in 1981-1982 featured memorable impressions of John Belushi and Captain Kangaroo.
Born in Italy and raised in Canada, Rosato’s comedy career began with the Toronto Second City troupe. After SNL, he became a Canadian TV mainstay with regular roles on shows like “Night Heat” and voice work in animated series.
Later in life, Rosato struggled with mental health issues, including a rare condition called Capgras syndrome. He died of a heart attack in 2017 at age 62, leaving behind a comedy legacy that spanned two countries and influenced both American and Canadian comedy.
11. Michael O’Donoghue: The Dark Genius
As SNL’s first head writer, Michael O’Donoghue established the show’s edgy, counterculture tone from day one. His darkly brilliant mind created the very first sketch in SNL history – John Belushi having a heart attack while learning English.
Known for his pitch-black humor and uncompromising vision, O’Donoghue occasionally appeared on camera, most memorably as Mr. Mike delivering “Least-Loved Bedtime Tales.” His demanding standards and artistic integrity helped shape SNL’s revolutionary approach to comedy.
Though fired multiple times due to creative conflicts, his influence on the show’s DNA remained permanent. O’Donoghue died suddenly from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1994 at 54, but his dark genius continues to influence comedy writers who push boundaries.
12. Charles Rocket: The Controversial Rising Star
Hired as part of producer Jean Doumanian’s new cast following the original crew’s departure, Charles Rocket was initially positioned as the show’s new breakout star. His good looks and deadpan delivery made him the anchor of the 1980-81 season’s Weekend Update (then called “Weekend Report”).
Rocket’s SNL tenure ended abruptly after he uttered an unscripted profanity during a live broadcast. The incident became infamous in television history and led to major changes in the show’s cast and production team.
After SNL, Rocket rebuilt his career with roles in films like “Dumb and Dumber” and TV shows including “Moonlighting.” Tragically, he died by suicide in 2005 at age 56, leaving behind a complex legacy beyond his brief, controversial SNL moment.
13. Tom Davis: The Brilliant Comedy Partner
One-half of the legendary comedy duo “Franken & Davis,” Tom Davis helped craft SNL’s voice as both a performer and writer. His partnership with Al Franken produced iconic recurring characters like the Coneheads and memorable sketches that defined early SNL.
Though less publicly recognized than his partner, Davis was equally responsible for their creative output. His comedy sensibilities blended countercultural edge with precise writing craft, earning him multiple Emmy Awards during his SNL tenure.
Beyond television, Davis was known for his psychedelic adventures and friendship with Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia. After battling throat and neck cancer, he passed away in 2012 at 59, leaving behind a substantial body of work that helped establish SNL’s groundbreaking comedy approach.
14. Gilbert Gottfried: The Unforgettable Voice
Though his SNL tenure was brief – just the 1980-81 season – Gilbert Gottfried’s unmistakable voice and fearless comedy made a lasting impression. His time on the show came during a transitional period when producers were rebuilding after the original cast’s departure.
After SNL, Gottfried became known for his distinctive voice, shocking humor, and memorable roles like Iago in Disney’s “Aladdin.” His deliberately abrasive comedy style and squinting delivery became instantly recognizable to audiences worldwide.
Despite his provocative public persona, colleagues remember a kind, thoughtful performer beneath the shocking jokes. Gottfried passed away in 2022 at age 67 from complications related to myotonic dystrophy, silencing one of comedy’s most distinctive voices.
15. Don Pardo: The Legendary Voice of SNL
For 39 seasons, Don Pardo’s majestic voice introduced the Not Ready for Prime Time Players to America. Though rarely seen on camera, his distinctive announcements became an essential part of SNL’s identity from the very first episode in 1975.
Pardo’s career began in radio during the 1940s before transitioning to television with NBC. His voice announced game shows like “Jeopardy!” before becoming permanently associated with Saturday Night Live.
Even into his 90s, Pardo continued recording SNL introductions, sometimes from a home studio in Arizona. When he passed away in 2014 at age 96, he left behind one of the longest careers in television history and a voice instantly recognizable to generations of comedy fans.
16. Andy Kaufman: The Boundary-Breaking Guest
Though never officially a cast member, Andy Kaufman’s frequent guest appearances helped define SNL’s early experimental spirit. His Foreign Man character (later developed into Latka on “Taxi”) captivated audiences with its innocent strangeness and surprising Elvis transformation.
Kaufman’s unique approach to performance art comedy often left viewers wondering what was real and what was staged. His wrestling women, lip-syncing to Mighty Mouse, and reading from The Great Gatsby pushed the boundaries of what comedy could be.
His battle with lung cancer ended his life at just 35 in 1984. Decades later, comedy scholars still debate his influence and intentions, while performers from Jim Carrey to Sacha Baron Cohen acknowledge their debt to his fearless innovation.