US comedian Jan Hooks dies aged 57
- Published
Hooks' final TV role was as Jenna's selfish mother Vera in hit comedy 30 Rock
Jan Hooks, the US comedy actress who impersonated Hilary Clinton and Sinead O'Connor on Saturday Night Live, and voiced Apu's wife Manjula in The Simpsons has died aged 57.
Her agent confirmed she died in New York though no cause of death has been given.
Hooks also played Jenna Maroney's mother Vera in two episodes of hit comedy 30 Rock.
Her SNL co-stars included Wayne's World stars Mike Myers and Dana Carvey.
Seth Myers - former head writer at Saturday Night Live and the host of this year's Emmy awards - tweeted, external: "RIP Jan Hooks. One of the all time greats."
He was joined by Ted writer and director Seth MacFarlane, who added, external: "Jan Hooks still stands out as one of the funniest cast members in SNL history. Very sorry to read about her passing."
Hooks was born and grew up in Georgia and began her comedy career in the Los Angeles-based troupe The Groundlings, whose alumni include Will Ferrell, Jack Black and Friends star Lisa Kudrow.
She was offered a contract with SNL in 1986 alongside Carvey and Phil Hartman - who would go on to voice several characters in The Simpsons, including failed actor Troy McLure.
Her impersonations included Betty Ford, Nancy Reagan and Jodie Foster.
Hooks' other TV work included the CBS sitcom Designing Women and Futurama.
She voiced Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon in The Simpsons in six episodes between 1997-2002 before she was replaced by Tress MacNeille.
On film, Hooks had roles in 1985's Pee-wee's Big Adventure and played the Penguin's image consultant in 1992's Batman Returns.