Gilda Radner

Gilda Radner was an American comedian and actress best known as an original cast member of *Saturday Night Live*.

Gilda Radner was an American comedian and actress best known as an original cast member of Saturday Night Live. She became known for recurring characters such as Emily Litella and Rosanne Rosannadanna, and she later wrote about her life and illness in It’s Always Something.

Early life and career beginnings

Radner was born in Detroit, Michigan, on June 28, 1946. She began her comedy career in Toronto, Ontario, where she worked with the Second City comedy troupe. She later appeared on the National Lampoon Radio Hour before moving into television and sketch comedy.

Saturday Night Live

Radner was one of the original cast members of Saturday Night Live when it premiered in 1975. She became widely recognized for original characters such as Emily Litella and Rosanne Rosannadanna, as well as celebrity parodies, helping to define the show's early style. She won an Emmy Award for her work on the show.

Film, marriage, and later work

After leaving Saturday Night Live in 1980, Radner worked in film and theatre. She married actor Gene Wilder in 1984 and continued performing until her health declined.

Illness and legacy

Radner was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1986. She wrote about her experience in her memoir It's Always Something, which was published shortly before her death on May 20, 1989, in Los Angeles. Her openness about her illness helped raise public awareness of ovarian cancer, and her comedy work remains influential.