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Shocker: Popular, Talented ‘SNL’ Cast Member From the Mid-1980s Dies at 57

Oct 9, 2014  •  Post A Comment

She was a popular cast member on “Saturday Night Live” from 1986 to 1991, and later went on to be nominated for an Emmy for a guest appearance in a prime-time sitcom.

Jan Hooks died today, Thursday, Oct. 9, 2014, according to a number of media reports. She was 57, and no cause was given for her death, although she had reportedly been suffering from a “serious illness,” as first reported by TMZ.

“Hooks joined ‘SNL’ in 1986 and was a part of a cast that included Dana Carvey, Nora Dunn, Phil Hartman, Victoria Jackson, Jon Lovitz, Dennis Miller, Kevin Nealon and A. Whitney Brown,” reports the Los Angeles Times, adding, “She stayed through 1991. Often paired onscreen with Hartman, she was known for her impressions of Hillary Rodham Clinton, Nancy Reagan and Tammy Faye Bakker and for playing lounge singer Candy Sweeney of the Sweeney sisters.”

Hooks was nominated for an Emmy in 1998 for a guest appearance she made on “Third Rock From the Sun.”

According to the Times, many took to Twitter after learning about Hooks’ death:

From Nealon: “My girlfriend in the 80’s and my friend forever, Janners. God, were you talented. Too soon and too sad. #JanHooks

From actor Orlando Jones: “RIP Jan Hooks. Loved your work on @nbcsnl especially when you did #sineadoconnor. Condolences to friends/family/loved ones.”

From actress Chelsea Peretti: “DANG BYE JAN HOOKS. Clang clang clang went the trolley.”

From director Paul Feig: “Incredibly sad about Jan Hooks. She was truly one of my favorite SNL cast members. So funny. A sad day for comedy. #RIPJanHooks”

And this tweet from Seth MacFarlane: “Jan Hooks still stands out as one of the funniest cast members in SNL history. Very sorry to read about her passing.”

In this classic “SNL” clip, here’s Jan Hooks spoofing Kathie Lee Gifford, back when Gifford was co-hosting on daytime TV with Regis Philbin:

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