14 SNL Cast Members We’ve Lost: A Complete List Of Deceased Stars, Their Tragic Deaths, And Final Legacies
The legacy of Saturday Night Live is a tapestry of comedic genius, groundbreaking sketches, and unforgettable characters, but it is also marked by profound tragedy. Since its debut in 1975, the iconic sketch show has launched the careers of hundreds of comedians, yet a significant number of its alumni have passed away too soon, often under shocking or heartbreaking circumstances. This comprehensive list, updated as of December 20, 2025, serves as a tribute to the talented individuals—both major stars and lesser-known players—who brought laughter to millions in Studio 8H before their untimely deaths, detailing their time on the show and the circumstances of their passing.
The deaths span generations of the show, from the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" to cast members from the 1990s and 2000s, creating a somber narrative thread through the show’s nearly 50-year history. While figures like John Belushi and Chris Farley are tragically synonymous with the show's dark side, others battled cancer, complex mental health issues, or were lost in unexpected accidents, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence modern comedy.
The Complete Roster of Deceased SNL Cast Members and Their Legacies
The following list includes individuals officially credited as repertory or featured cast members during their tenure on Saturday Night Live. The most recent loss to the SNL family was comedian Gilbert Gottfried in 2022.
- John Belushi (1949–1982)
- SNL Tenure: 1975–1979 (Seasons 1–4)
- Cause of Death: Drug Overdose (Cocaine and Heroin Speedball)
- Legacy: An original "Not Ready for Prime Time Player," Belushi was the first true breakout star, known for characters like the Samurai and his role in The Blues Brothers. His death at age 33 was the first major tragedy to hit the show.
- Gilda Radner (1946–1989)
- SNL Tenure: 1975–1980 (Seasons 1–5)
- Cause of Death: Ovarian Cancer
- Legacy: The beloved heart of the original cast, Radner created iconic characters like Roseanne Roseannadanna and Baba Wawa. She passed away at age 42, paving the way for greater awareness of ovarian cancer.
- Michael O’Donoghue (1940–1994)
- SNL Tenure: 1975–1976 (Writer/Performer)
- Cause of Death: Cerebral Hemorrhage
- Legacy: The original head writer and a crucial figure in establishing the show's dark, absurdist tone. He opened the very first SNL sketch and was a performer in the early years.
- Danitra Vance (1954–1994)
- SNL Tenure: 1985–1986 (Season 11)
- Cause of Death: Breast Cancer
- Legacy: Vance was the first African-American female cast member on the show. She died at age 40 after a years-long battle with cancer.
- Chris Farley (1964–1997)
- SNL Tenure: 1990–1995 (Seasons 16–20)
- Cause of Death: Drug Overdose (Cocaine and Morphine)
- Legacy: A comedic force of nature, known for his high-energy, physical comedy and characters like Matt Foley, Motivational Speaker. His death at age 33 tragically mirrored that of his idol, John Belushi.
- Phil Hartman (1948–1998)
- SNL Tenure: 1986–1994 (Seasons 12–19)
- Cause of Death: Murder (shot by his wife, who then died by suicide)
- Legacy: Known as "The Glue" for his ability to hold sketches together and his spot-on impressions (Bill Clinton, Frank Sinatra). His shocking death at age 49 is considered one of Hollywood's greatest tragedies.
- Charles Rocket (Charles Claverie) (1949–2005)
- SNL Tenure: 1980–1981 (Season 6)
- Cause of Death: Suicide
- Legacy: A cast member during the tumultuous Season 6, Rocket was briefly the Weekend Update anchor. He was found deceased at age 56.
- Tom Davis (1952–2012)
- SNL Tenure: 1975–1980 (Writer/Occasional Performer)
- Cause of Death: Throat and Neck Cancer
- Legacy: Half of the comedy writing duo Franken & Davis, Tom was a crucial writer for the early years and occasionally appeared in sketches. He died at age 59.
- George Coe (1929–2015)
- SNL Tenure: 1975 (Season 1)
- Cause of Death: Illness (Lymphoma)
- Legacy: Coe was credited as a cast member for the first episode, though his role was brief. He was a veteran character actor who died at age 86.
- Tony Rosato (1954–2017)
- SNL Tenure: 1981–1982 (Season 7)
- Cause of Death: Heart Attack
- Legacy: A Canadian comedian who was a repertory player for one season, known for his work on SCTV. He died at age 62.
- Norm Macdonald (1959–2021)
- SNL Tenure: 1993–1998 (Seasons 19–23)
- Cause of Death: Cancer
- Legacy: Known for his deadpan, philosophical delivery as the host of Weekend Update. He kept his nine-year cancer diagnosis a secret, working until his death at age 61.
- Peter Aykroyd (1955–2021)
- SNL Tenure: 1979–1980 (Season 5)
- Cause of Death: Septicemia from an untreated abdominal hernia
- Legacy: The younger brother of original cast member Dan Aykroyd, Peter was an Emmy-nominated writer and featured player. He died at age 66.
- Gilbert Gottfried (1955–2022)
- SNL Tenure: 1980–1981 (Season 6)
- Cause of Death: Recurrent Ventricular Tachycardia due to Type II Myotonic Dystrophy
- Legacy: Though his tenure was brief during the controversial Season 6, Gottfried became a comedy legend known for his loud, distinctive voice. He died at age 67.
The Tragic '33 Club': Belushi, Farley, and The Shadow of Addiction
The earliest and most shocking deaths in the SNL family established a tragic pattern that continues to loom over the show: the premature loss of its most brilliant, volatile performers to substance abuse. John Belushi and Chris Farley, two of the most physically expressive and high-energy comedians in the show's history, died at the exact same age: 33.
Belushi’s death in 1982 from a lethal combination of cocaine and heroin (a "speedball") was a devastating blow to the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" and a wake-up call for Hollywood. His chaotic, non-stop lifestyle was a direct reflection of the show's early, anarchic spirit. The loss deeply affected his friends and colleagues, including Dan Aykroyd, who was planning a new project with him at the time.
Fifteen years later, the comedy world endured a painful sense of déjà vu with the passing of Chris Farley. Farley, who idolized Belushi, died in 1997 from a similar drug overdose involving cocaine and morphine. Both men were known for their explosive, all-in commitment to a sketch, whether it was Belushi's feverish performance as a killer bee or Farley's iconic Chippendale's dancer audition with Patrick Swayze. Their deaths cemented a dark, cautionary narrative about the pressures of fame and the toll of the comedy lifestyle, particularly for those who channel raw, unbridled energy into their work.
Silent Battles: The Courageous Fights Against Cancer and Illness
While the overdose deaths often dominate the headlines, a number of SNL cast members and writers were lost to long, private battles with serious illnesses, showcasing an immense personal strength often hidden from the public eye.
Gilda Radner and the Legacy of Awareness
Gilda Radner was the first of the original cast to pass away, succumbing to ovarian cancer in 1989. Her death at 42 was a heartbreaking loss, but her public sharing of her cancer journey, particularly in her memoir, helped raise significant awareness about the disease and the importance of early diagnosis. Her characters, from the perpetually confused Emily Litella to the gossip columnist Roseanne Roseannadanna, remain touchstones of American comedy.
Norm Macdonald's Private Struggle
In one of the most surprising revelations, beloved Weekend Update host Norm Macdonald passed away in 2021 after a nine-year, highly private battle with cancer. Macdonald deliberately kept his diagnosis a secret, refusing to let his illness define his comedy or his public persona. His dedication to his craft, performing stand-up and hosting his podcast until the very end, demonstrated a quiet, profound resilience.
Other Losses to Illness
The list of those lost to illness extends to other key players: Jan Hooks, a versatile impressionist known for her work with Phil Hartman, died in 2014 from complications related to throat cancer. Danitra Vance, a groundbreaking performer, died of breast cancer in 1994. Even the foundational writer Tom Davis, comedy partner to Al Franken, passed away in 2012 from throat and neck cancer, having contributed immensely to the show's early success from behind the scenes.
The Forgotten Tragedies: Season 6 and the Unsung Pioneers
The 1980–1981 Season 6, run by Jean Doumanian and Dick Ebersol, is often cited as the most turbulent in SNL history. It is tragically overrepresented in the list of deceased cast members, including Charles Rocket and Gilbert Gottfried.
Charles Rocket, the season’s designated star and Weekend Update anchor, was fired after controversially cursing on-air. He later died by suicide in 2005, a sad footnote to a career that began with high hopes. Gilbert Gottfried, known for his unique, loud comedy, was also a cast member during this single, tumultuous season before becoming a celebrated stand-up and voice actor, passing away in 2022.
Additionally, the show lost critical behind-the-scenes pioneers and brief cast members who laid the groundwork for the show's success:
- Michael O'Donoghue: The original head writer who set the tone for the show's dark, "analogue SNL" aesthetic, passing from a cerebral hemorrhage.
- Peter Aykroyd: A writer/performer whose passing in 2021 from a simple, untreated medical condition (septicemia from a hernia) was a reminder of life's cruel randomness.
- George Coe: Credited as an original cast member, Coe was part of the very first sketch, establishing the professional acting chops needed for the show's early success before his death from illness in 2015.
The collective memory of the deceased SNL cast members—from the high-flying tragedy of the "33 Club" to the quiet courage of those who battled illness—underscores the intense, sometimes destructive, pressure cooker environment of live television comedy. Their work remains immortal, a testament to their talent, even as their lives were cut tragically short.
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