Fifty years. That’s how long Saturday Night Live has been occupying that 11:30 p.m. slot on NBC. When you look at the sheer volume of talent that has passed through Studio 8H since 1975, it’s honestly a miracle that the list of SNL cast who have passed away isn't even longer. But the names we have lost? They aren't just names on a list. They represent the "Mount Rushmore" of sketch comedy, and many of their departures fundamentally changed how the show—and the industry—operated behind the curtain.
Most people remember the "big three" tragic exits: Belushi, Farley, and Hartman. But there is a lot more to the story than just the tabloid headlines. From the quiet battles with illness to the shocking violence that ended careers at their peak, the history of these performers is a mix of high-stakes comedy and deeply human struggles.
The Foundation Losses: Belushi and Radner
It’s impossible to talk about the early years without John Belushi. He was the show’s first true rock star. He lived fast. He worked harder. Honestly, he was the guy everyone thought would live forever because he seemed indestructible. Then came March 5, 1982.
Belushi was found dead at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles at just 33 years old. The cause was a "speedball"—a lethal mix of cocaine and heroin. His death was a massive wake-up call for Lorne Michaels and the rest of the crew. Before that, the show had a sort of "whatever gets you through the night" mentality regarding substances. Belushi’s passing ended that era of unchecked hedonism. It wasn't just a loss of a friend; it was the loss of the show's primitive soul.
Then you have Gilda Radner. If Belushi was the chaos, Gilda was the heart. She was the first person ever cast for the show. Her death in 1989 from ovarian cancer at age 42 felt different. It wasn't self-inflicted; it was just cruel.
✨ Don't miss: The Lil Wayne Tracklist for Tha Carter 3: What Most People Get Wrong
What most people get wrong about Gilda is thinking her legacy ended with her characters like Roseanne Roseannadanna. In reality, her death sparked a massive movement for cancer awareness. Her husband, Gene Wilder, helped found "Gilda’s Club," which still provides support to cancer patients today. She turned a personal tragedy into a permanent safety net for others.
The Era of the "Glue": Phil Hartman and Chris Farley
The 1990s were a golden age for SNL, but they were bookended by two of the most heartbreaking deaths in television history.
Chris Farley (1997)
Chris Farley was, in many ways, the second coming of Belushi. He had that same physical intensity and that same desperation to make people laugh until it hurt. But off-camera, he was struggling. He went to rehab 17 times.
He died in December 1997, also at age 33, and also from a speedball. It’s a haunting parallel. His brother found him in his Chicago apartment. The "motivational speaker" who told us about living in a van down by the river was gone, leaving a void that the show struggled to fill for years.
🔗 Read more: Songs by Tyler Childers: What Most People Get Wrong
Phil Hartman (1998)
Less than six months after Farley died, the show lost Phil Hartman. This one was different. It wasn't an illness or an overdose. Hartman was murdered by his wife, Brynn, in their home while he slept. She then took her own life.
Hartman was known as "The Glue" because he could hold any sketch together. He was the straight man, the voice of authority, the flawless impressionist. When he died, it felt like the adults had left the room. You can’t replace a guy who can play Bill Clinton and Frank Sinatra with equal precision.
The Recent Heartbreaks: Norm Macdonald and Jan Hooks
In more recent years, the losses have felt more personal because of how many of these performers stayed in the public eye.
Norm Macdonald is perhaps the most unique case among the SNL cast who have passed away. He died in 2021 after a nine-year battle with leukemia that he kept entirely secret. Even his close friends didn't know. He didn't want the audience to look at him with pity; he just wanted them to laugh at the jokes. His "Weekend Update" tenure is still the gold standard for deadpan delivery, and his refusal to stop making O.J. Simpson jokes—which reportedly got him fired—is the stuff of legend.
💡 You might also like: Questions From Black Card Revoked: The Culture Test That Might Just Get You Roasted
Jan Hooks passed away in 2014 from throat cancer at 57. She was often overshadowed by the "Bad Boys" of the 90s, but ask any comedy nerd, and they’ll tell you she was the best pure actor the show ever had. Whether she was playing Hillary Clinton or one of the Sweeney Sisters, her timing was surgical.
Why These Legacies Still Matter
Looking back at the SNL cast who have passed away, it’s easy to get bogged down in the tragedy. But that misses the point. These performers didn't just "do comedy"; they invented the language of it for the modern era.
- Radner proved women could be the funniest, loudest people in the room.
- Belushi proved sketch comedy could have the energy of a punk rock concert.
- Hartman showed that professionalism and "straight" acting are what make the absurdity work.
- Norm reminded us that the joke is the only thing that matters, even if you're the only one laughing.
Moving Forward: How to Honor the Work
If you want to truly appreciate the impact of these performers, don't just read their Wikipedia pages. Watch the work. The "Best Of" specials are great, but the real magic is in the deep cuts.
Next Steps for the Comedy Fan:
- Watch "Love is a Dream": This is a short film Jan Hooks and Phil Hartman did for SNL. It’s not a laugh-out-loud sketch; it’s a beautiful, cinematic piece that shows their range.
- Listen to Norm Macdonald's Final Special: Nothing Special was recorded in his home during the pandemic, knowing he was near the end. It's raw, brilliant, and pure Norm.
- Support Gilda’s Club: If you want to honor Gilda Radner’s memory, look into the Cancer Support Community. It’s the living embodiment of her wish that "no one should face cancer alone."
The list of those we've lost is long—including Peter Aykroyd, Danitra Vance, Charles Rocket, and Gilbert Gottfried (who had a short, often forgotten stint on the show). But as long as the "Live from New York!" shout rings out every Saturday, their influence remains baked into the DNA of the show.