The juggernaut sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live has been making audiences laugh for nearly 50 years, launching the careers of some truly unforgettable comedians and performers. Since its groundbreaking premiere on October 11, 1975, the spirited show has attracted a devoted fan base that remains loyal to this day, and throughout its 49 seasons has introduced countless memorable characters and classic sketches, no matter what your opinion of the recent seasons may be.
The freshman season of the Emmy-winning program featured spectacular comedians like Chevy Chase, Dan Aykroyd, and John Belushi, and as the years went on, more and more fresh and energetic faces would grace the Studio 8H stage. From Adam Sandler and Bill Hader to Tina Fey and Bill Murray, SNL helped a talented group of performers truly thrive and succeed. Nothing in life is guaranteed, though, and there have been a surprising number of great performers from SNL who have passed away for tragic reasons. The following SNL stars were taken too soon.
9 John Belushi (1949 - 1982)
Celebrated for his exceptional physical humor and hilarious characters like Samurai Futaba and the Greek Olympia Café owner Peter Dionisopoulos, John Belushi was an original cast member for the juggernaut series in 1975, appearing alongside fellow performers like Dan Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, and Gilda Radner. Belushi and Aykroyd developed a close friendship after meeting at The Second City comedy troupe, with the side-splitting duo memorably creating Jake and Elwood, A.K.A. the Blues Brothers.
Substance Abuse Struggles
Belushi was known for his unpredictability and daring approach to comedy, with Rolling Stone retrospectively noting that the comedian, "was the 'live' in Saturday Night Live" and was "the one who made the show happen on the edge ... Nobody embodied the highs and lows of SNL like Belushi." The funny man departed the series along with Aykroyd in 1979 to pursue a silver screen career, unforgettably appearing in films like Animal House, 1941, and of course the beloved cult classic The Blues Brothers.
During his time on SNL, Belushi (like many of his fellow cast members and writers) used drugs heavily and according to creator Lorne Michaels, was fired and rehired more than any performer because of his drug abuse. Belushi struggled with drug addiction most of his adult life and on March 5, 1982, he overdosed on speedball (heroin and cocaine) at the Château Marmont in Los Angeles, tragically ending his promising life and Hollywood career at just 33.
8 Gilda Radner (1946 - 1989)
Powerhouse performer Gilda Radner was one of just three female comedians cast in the freshman season of SNL, showcasing her fun and fearless humor and admirable devotion to the comedy craft. During her five-year tenure on the enduring series, Radner completely dominated every skit she was in and created the delightfully obnoxious advice expert Roseanne Roseannadanna and the irate, hearing-impaired elderly lady Emily Litella. She also famously parodied broadcast journalist Barbara Walters ("Baba Wawa"), becoming one of the very first comedians to poke fun at news anchors.
Radner's Fierce Fight Against Cancer
Throughout her stint on Saturday Night Live, Radner struggled with bulimia and also had a tumultuous relationship with cast member Bill Murray, a romance that reportedly ended badly. She left the hit show in 1980 after winning a Primetime Emmy for her sensational work, and notably went on to appear in films like First Family, Hanky Panky, and Haunted Honeymoon. Radner met actor Gene Wilder on the set of Hanky Panky and the two were subsequently married on September 18, 1984.
As she was trying to break into the film world, Radner was diagnosed with stage IV ovarian cancer after experiencing severe fatigue and seeking treatment. After being told that she had gone into remission, in September 1988 Radner learned that her cancer had returned, and she ultimately succumbed to the illness on May 20, 1989. When news spread of Radner's heartbreaking passing, her friend and frequent SNL host Steve Martin paid a touching tribute to the comedian, emotionally expressing, "Gilda, we miss you."
7 Charles Rocket (1949 - 2005)
Though his stint on Saturday Night Live may have been a short one, actor and comedian Charles Rocket nonetheless left his mark on the trailblazing program, making his debut during the 1980-1981 season. Rocket was a part of a completely new group of performers, as the time period was a stormy one for SNL and saw executive producer Lorne Michaels departing and Jean Doumanian taking over his respective duties. The comedian was described as a mix between Chevy Chase and Bill Murray, but sadly the behind-the-scenes turmoil led to Rocket's short tenure on the show.
Rocket's Shocking Dismissal
During his single season with the comedy series, Rocket was given the honor of hosting Weekend Update and also notably portrayed the character Phil Lively, an over-the-top game show host who brought the same energy home to his family every night. He also did impersonations of celebrities like Ronald Reagan and Prince Charles, and presented the segment "The Rocket Report." After accidentally dropping the F-bomb on February 21, 1981 during a skit, Rocket was fired from SNL and was plagued by depression soon after.
Despite the major career setback, Rocket still found success in both television and film, landing prominent roles on the big screen in Dances with Wolves, Hocus Pocus, and Dumb and Dumber, and in shows such as Moonlighting, Wings, and Touched by an Angel. Rocket sadly lost his battle with depression and took his own life on October 7, 2005, leaving behind his wife Beth and adult son Zane.
6 Phil Hartman (1948 - 1998)
Fondly referred to as "Glue" because of his supportive and giving nature towards others while on SNL, Phil Hartman joined the variety show for its 12th season in 1986 alongside fellow newcomers like Dana Carvey, Jan Hooks, and Kevin Nealon. Hartman dazzled devoted audiences every week with his uncanny impersonations of famous stars like Frank Sinatra, Michael Caine, Ronald Reagan and of course Bill Clinton, his most well-known impression. The comedian also came up with kooky original characters like Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer and Eugene, the Anal Retentive Chef, spreading infectious laughter and joy each episode.
An Inspiring Life Tragically Cut Short
After winning a Primetime Emmy Award for his contributions to SNL, Hartman departed the series in 1994 after eight seasons, feeling his style of comedy did not match that of the new batch of featured players coming in. He was already becoming a popular performer in Hollywood after providing the voice of countless characters in The Simpsons and appearing in films like So I Married an Axe Murderer, Jingle All the Way, and Studio Ghibli's Kiki's Delivery Service. Upon leaving SNL, Hartman went on to brilliantly portray Bill McNeal in NewsRadio, appearing in the sitcom until his devastating death in 1998.
Phil Hartman and the Tragic Family Murder of a Beloved Comedian
Phil Hartman was a respected actor and comedian famous for his hilarious work on Saturday Night Live, and whose life was tragically cut short.Though he was experiencing massive success in his professional life and dominating both the big and small screen, Hartman was plagued by personal struggles and marital woes. His wife Brynn struggled with drug and alcohol abuse that heavily strained their marriage, so much that the comedian contemplated retiring early in hopes of saving the relationship. On May 28, 1998, Hartman was tragically shot and killed by Brynn during his sleep before she took her own life, with the heinous crime rocking the entertainment industry and leaving devoted fans of the SNL great shattered.