Decades after her untimely death, the comedy legend Gilda Radner continues to inspire laughter and courage. Fans and admirers often seek to pay their respects to the groundbreaking comedian who was a cornerstone of the original *Saturday Night Live* cast. As of this current date in December 2025, the information regarding her final resting place remains a matter of public record, though some details about the cemetery and her legacy are often overlooked.
The definitive answer to "where is Gilda Radner buried" is Long Ridge Union Cemetery in Stamford, Connecticut. This location holds a quiet significance, far removed from the bright lights of New York City and Hollywood, yet close to the home she shared with her beloved husband, Gene Wilder. The site serves as a somber reminder of her battle with ovarian cancer and the incredible life she lived in her 42 years.
Gilda Radner: A Complete Biography and Profile
Gilda Susan Radner was a trailblazing comedian and actress, best known as one of the "Not Ready for Prime-Time Players," the original cast of the revolutionary sketch comedy show *Saturday Night Live* (SNL). Her infectious energy and memorable characters set a new standard for women in comedy.
- Full Name: Gilda Susan Radner
- Date of Birth: June 28, 1946
- Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
- Spouse: Gene Wilder (m. 1984–1989)
- Notable Career Highlights: Original cast member of *Saturday Night Live* (1975–1980); Star of the one-woman Broadway show *Gilda Radner: Live from New York*; Co-star in films like *Hanky Panky*, *The Woman in Red*, and *Haunted Honeymoon*.
- Iconic SNL Characters: Roseanne Roseannadanna, Emily Litella, Baba Wawa, and the "Nerd" Lisa Loopner.
- Cause of Death: Ovarian Cancer
- Date of Death: May 20, 1989 (Age 42)
- Place of Death: Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California
- Legacy: The establishment of Gilda's Club, a network of cancer support centers.
The Quiet Location of Gilda Radner's Final Rest
The final resting place of Gilda Radner is a peaceful, well-maintained plot in the historic Long Ridge Union Cemetery. This location is a deliberate choice, reflecting the quiet life she and Gene Wilder sought away from the entertainment industry spotlight.
Long Ridge Union Cemetery, Stamford, Connecticut
Gilda Radner is interred at Long Ridge Union Cemetery, located in Stamford, Connecticut. The cemetery is known for its serene environment and is the final resting place for other notable figures, including the legendary jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman. Her grave site is a frequent pilgrimage for fans who leave small tokens of appreciation, such as flowers, notes, and even small comedy-related items, to honor her memory.
The choice of Stamford, Connecticut, is significant because it was the location of the home she shared with Gene Wilder. Following her death in Los Angeles at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, her body was transported back east for burial. This decision reinforces the deep connection she had to her personal life and the sanctuary she found with her husband.
It is important to note the connection with Gene Wilder. While Gilda Radner is buried in Stamford, Gene Wilder's ashes were scattered in the backyard of their Stamford home, as he wished for a private, intimate memorial. This means that while they are not side-by-side in the cemetery, they remain connected to the home where they built their life together, a poignant detail for fans of their "mythological" love story.
The Enduring Legacy of Laughter: Gilda's Club and Cancer Support
Perhaps the most powerful and enduring part of Gilda Radner's life is not her grave site, but the legacy she created through her honesty and humor during her illness. Her battle with ovarian cancer led her to write the candid and humorous autobiography, *It's Always Something*, which was published shortly before her passing. This book became a source of inspiration for millions.
Her vision for a place where people with cancer, their families, and friends could gather to share their experiences and find emotional and social support led to the creation of Gilda's Club. The organization was founded in 1991 by her cancer psychotherapist, Joanna Bull, along with other friends and family, to honor Gilda's memory.
Gilda's Club and the Cancer Support Community
Gilda's Club is a testament to Gilda Radner's belief that "having cancer is a club you don't want to belong to, but once you're in, you want to know the rules." The club’s philosophy centers on the idea that social and emotional support is a vital component of cancer care, a concept that was not widely accepted at the time.
In 2009, Gilda's Club Worldwide formally merged with The Wellness Community to create the Cancer Support Community (CSC). This merger expanded the reach of Gilda's vision, creating the largest network of cancer support worldwide. Many affiliate locations still operate under the name Gilda's Club, such as Gilda's Club Chicago and Gilda's Club Grand Rapids, ensuring her name remains synonymous with hope and humor in the face of adversity. The organization provides free programs, support groups, and educational workshops.
The Impact on Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Gilda Radner's public struggle with ovarian cancer, which was tragically misdiagnosed for nearly a year, significantly raised public awareness of the disease and its often vague symptoms. Her death at such a young age (42) highlighted the urgent need for better diagnostic tools and more research. Her story continues to be a rallying cry for early detection and for the importance of listening to one's own body.
The Original SNL Cast and Gilda's Place in Comedy History
Gilda Radner’s impact is inseparable from her role in the original 1975 cast of *Saturday Night Live*. She was one of the seven "Not Ready for Prime-Time Players," alongside comedy titans like John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Chevy Chase, Laraine Newman, and Garrett Morris. Her characters were iconic and shaped the landscape of television comedy for decades.
Her portrayal of the perpetually confused and hard-of-hearing Emily Litella on the "Weekend Update" segment, often misinterpreting a topic before clarifying "Never mind," is a classic piece of sketch comedy. Similarly, her character Roseanne Roseannadanna, the boisterous consumer affairs reporter whose rants always devolved into disgusting, irrelevant details, remains a benchmark for comedic performance.
The 2018 documentary *Love, Gilda* further cemented her legacy, using her personal diaries, audio tapes, and videotapes to tell her story in her own voice. This film, along with her autobiography, ensures that future generations will understand not just the comedian, but the thoughtful, vulnerable woman behind the characters. Her grave site in Stamford is a quiet place of tribute, but her true memorial is the laughter she inspired and the support network she created for those battling cancer.
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