The SNL Curse: 12 Beloved Saturday Night Live Cast Members Who Have Passed Away Too Soon

The legacy of Saturday Night Live is a double-edged sword: a breeding ground for comedic genius, but also the origin point for some of comedy’s most heartbreaking tragedies. As of December 11, 2025, the show has seen a shocking number of its brilliant alumni pass away, many of them far too young, fueling the persistent—and often morbid—myth of the "SNL Curse." This deep dive looks beyond the headlines to remember the lives, characters, and lasting impact of the most beloved SNL stars we have lost, exploring the untimely deaths that have defined the show’s darker history.

From the foundational brilliance of the original 1970s cast to the explosive physical comedy of the 1990s, the list of deceased SNL talent is a somber roll call of comedic royalty. The stories of their lives and deaths offer a powerful, often disturbing, look at the pressures of fame, the struggle with addiction, and the cruel randomness of fate, reminding us of the high cost of comedic genius.

The Original Tragedies: Belushi and Radner

The first generation of Saturday Night Live, known as the "Not Ready For Prime-Time Players," set the standard for sketch comedy, but also introduced the world to the show's first major tragedies. Their early deaths cemented a narrative of brilliant, self-destructive talent.

• The Chilling True Story 5 Key Facts About Richard Evonitz The Serial Killer Who Kidnapped Kara Robinson Chamberlain Xpjje

John Belushi: The First Loss and the SNL Curse Origin

John Belushi was the explosive, uncontainable heart of the original SNL cast. His death was the first to shock the comedy world and is often cited as the beginning of the "SNL Curse."

• Full Name: John Adam Belushi
• Born: January 24, 1949, Chicago, Illinois
• Died: March 5, 1982 (Age 33)
• SNL Tenure: 1975–1979 (Seasons 1–4)
• Notable Characters: The Samurai, Jake Blues (from The Blues Brothers), the belligerent diner owner.
• Cause of Death: Combined drug intoxication (cocaine and heroin, known as a "speedball") at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles.

Belushi’s intensity on stage was matched by his struggles off it. He was voted the greatest of all SNL cast members by Rolling Stone in 2015, a testament to his raw, anarchic energy. His death at just 33 years old was a brutal wake-up call for the comedy community about the dark side of fame and excess.

Gilda Radner: The Beloved Pioneer

Gilda Radner was the first cast member hired for SNL and a groundbreaking female comedian whose characters were deeply personal and universally loved. Her battle with cancer brought a different, but equally profound, tragedy to the SNL family.

• The Untouchable Privacy 7 Secrets Of Rachel Mcadams And Jamie Lindens Life Beyond The Red Carpet E820e

• Full Name: Gilda Susan Radner
• Born: June 28, 1946, Detroit, Michigan
• Died: May 20, 1989 (Age 42)
• SNL Tenure: 1975–1980 (Seasons 1–5)
• Notable Characters: Roseanne Roseannadanna, Emily Litella, Lisa Loopner.
• Cause of Death: Ovarian cancer.

Radner battled ovarian cancer for three years, a struggle she documented with her characteristic humor and honesty in her memoir, It’s Always Something. Her death at 42 was a devastating loss, but her legacy continues through the Gilda Radner Familial Ovarian Cancer Registry and the Gilda’s Club cancer support organization, which she inspired.

The Tragic Nineties: Farley and Hartman

The 1990s saw a resurgence of SNL popularity, but it was also marked by two of the show’s most shocking and untimely deaths, both occurring within a six-month period.

Chris Farley: The Spiritual Successor

Chris Farley was often compared to John Belushi for his explosive, physical comedy style and his equally tragic struggle with addiction. He was a force of nature on stage, known for committing fully to every absurd sketch.

• The Facts Of Life Cast Where Are Eastlands Girls Now 2024 Updates 2tx8p

• Full Name: Christopher Crosby Farley
• Born: February 15, 1964, Madison, Wisconsin
• Died: December 18, 1997 (Age 33)
• SNL Tenure: 1990–1995 (Seasons 16–20)
• Notable Characters: Matt Foley (Motivational Speaker), Todd O'Connor (from the "Bill Swerski's Superfans" sketches), Chippendales Dancer.
• Cause of Death: Overdose (combined drug intoxication of cocaine and morphine) in his Chicago apartment.

Farley's death at 33—the same age as Belushi—was a chilling echo of the past, reinforcing the idea of a curse on the show's most brilliant, tormented stars. His raw, vulnerable energy and ability to make co-stars break character remain legendary.

Phil Hartman: The Unsinkable Everyman

Known as "The Glue" for his ability to hold sketches together and his incredible versatility, Phil Hartman’s death was arguably the most shocking tragedy in SNL history due to its brutal nature.

• Full Name: Philip Edward Hartman
• Born: September 24, 1948, Brantford, Ontario, Canada
• Died: May 28, 1998 (Age 49)
• SNL Tenure: 1986–1994 (Seasons 12–19)
• Notable Characters: Bill Clinton, Frank Sinatra, The Anal Retentive Chef, Troy McClure (on The Simpsons).
• Cause of Death: Murdered by his wife, Brynn Omdahl, in a murder-suicide.

Hartman was fatally shot by his wife in their Los Angeles home before she died by suicide hours later, a devastating event that left their two children orphaned. His death at 49 robbed the world of a master impersonator and voice actor, and it remains one of the darkest chapters in comedy history.

Recent Losses and Unsung Heroes

While the deaths of Belushi, Radner, Farley, and Hartman are the most famous, many other talented SNL alumni have passed away in recent years, often after private battles with illness, reminding us that the SNL family continues to grieve.

Norm Macdonald: The Deadpan Philosopher

A master of the dark joke and the long, winding story, Norm Macdonald was the iconic anchor of "Weekend Update" and a beloved figure in stand-up comedy. His death in 2021 was a major loss for the comedy world.

• Full Name: Norman Gene Macdonald
• Born: October 17, 1959, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
• Died: September 14, 2021 (Age 61)
• SNL Tenure: 1993–1998 (Seasons 19–23)
• Notable Roles: Weekend Update Anchor, Bob Dole.
• Cause of Death: Cancer (specifically, acute leukemia), following a nine-year private battle.

Macdonald kept his cancer diagnosis private for nearly a decade, choosing to focus on his work until his passing at age 61. His dedication to the craft and his unique, uncompromising style solidified his place as a comedy legend.

Jan Hooks: The Impressionist Specialist

A versatile performer known for her strong impressions and character work, Jan Hooks was a critical part of the late 1980s and early 1990s cast, often working alongside Phil Hartman.

• Full Name: Janet Vivian Hooks
• Born: April 23, 1957, Decatur, Georgia
• Died: October 9, 2014 (Age 57)
• SNL Tenure: 1986–1991 (Seasons 12–16)
• Notable Characters: Brenda the waitressing half of "The Sweeney Sisters" alongside Nora Dunn, Hillary Clinton (early impression).
• Cause of Death: Throat cancer.

Hooks’ talent for impressions, particularly of Tammy Faye Bakker and Sinead O’Connor, made her an invaluable player. Her death at 57 from throat cancer was a quiet tragedy that deeply affected her former castmates.

Danitra Vance: Breaking Barriers

Danitra Vance was a groundbreaking figure, becoming the first Black woman to be an SNL repertory player (as opposed to a featured player) in 1985.

• Full Name: Danitra Vance
• Born: July 13, 1954, Chicago, Illinois
• Died: August 21, 1994 (Age 40)
• SNL Tenure: 1985–1986 (Season 11)
• Notable Characters: Teen talk show host Cabrini Green Harlem-Watts Jackson.
• Cause of Death: Breast cancer.

Vance was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 and passed away at the young age of 40 in 1994, a loss that highlighted the challenges faced by early minority cast members.

Other Notable SNL Alumni Who Have Passed

The SNL family also mourns the loss of other talented performers and crucial behind-the-scenes figures, including writers and featured players who shaped the show’s voice.

• Peter Aykroyd: Brother of Dan Aykroyd, he was a cast member and writer for one season (1979–1980). He died on November 6, 2021, at age 65 from septicemia due to an untreated abdominal hernia.
• Tom Davis: A foundational writer and comedy partner of Al Franken, Davis was a key creative force in the early years. He died in 2012 at age 59 from head and neck cancer.
• Tony Rosato: A Canadian comedian who was a cast member in the early 1980s. Rosato died on January 10, 2017, at age 62 of a suspected heart attack.
• George Coe: An original SNL cast member from the very first episode in 1975, Coe was credited as a featured player. He passed away in 2015 at age 86.
• Michael O’Donoghue: A writer and the first head writer for SNL, O'Donoghue was known for his dark, subversive humor and was a key figure in the show's early tone. He died in 1994 at age 54.
• Gilbert Gottfried: Though best known for his stand-up and voice work, Gottfried was briefly an SNL cast member in the tumultuous Season 6 (1980–1981). He died in 2022 at age 67 from complications of myotonic dystrophy type 2, a rare muscular disease that caused recurrent ventricular tachycardia.
• Charles Rocket: A cast member in Season 6, Rocket was controversially fired after saying the F-word on live television. He died by suicide in 2005 at age 56.

The Enduring Legacy of the Departed

The tragedy surrounding the deaths of these SNL stars has led to persistent discussions about the "SNL Curse," a term that highlights the disproportionate number of early deaths, particularly those linked to addiction and mental health struggles. However, while the pattern is undeniable, it is less a curse and more a reflection of the intense, high-pressure environment of live, late-night television and the pre-existing struggles many comedians carry into the spotlight.

Each of these departed cast members—from the manic energy of John Belushi and Chris Farley to the gentle brilliance of Gilda Radner and the versatile dependability of Phil Hartman—left an indelible mark on comedy. Their characters, their sketches, and their commitment to making people laugh serve as a powerful, enduring tribute. The true legacy of the SNL alumni who have passed is not the sadness of their end, but the everlasting joy they created during their time on Earth.