Gilda Radner

Gilda Susan Radner (June 28, 1946 – May 20, 1989) was an American actress and comedian. She was one of the seven original cast members of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" on the NBC sketch comedy series ''Saturday Night Live'' from its inception in 1975 until her departure in 1980. In her sketches on ''SNL'', she specialized in parodies of television stereotypes, such as advice specialists and news anchors. She also played various original characters. In 1978, Radner won an Emmy Award for her performances on the show. She also portrayed those characters in her highly successful one-woman show ''Gilda, Live'' on Broadway in 1979 and later on film in 1980.

After leaving ''Saturday Night Live'', she appeared in various films, including three with her future husband Gene Wilder, with whom she first appeared in 1982's ''Hanky Panky.'' She also worked on stage, appearing in the play ''Lunch Hour'' with Sam Waterston in 1980. She also continued to work on network and premium cable television, making appearances on Lorne Michael's ''The New Show'' and ''It's Garry Shandling's Show''.

She died of ovarian cancer in 1989. Shortly before her death, she published her autobiography ''It's Always Something,'' which dealt frankly with her life, work, and personal struggles, including her struggles with the illness. Her widower, Gene Wilder, carried out her wish that information about her illness would be used to help other people living with cancer, founding—and inspiring the founding of—organizations that emphasize early diagnosis, attention to hereditary factors, and support for cancer patients.

Posthumously, Radner won a Grammy Award in 1990, was inducted into the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 1992, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003. Other comedians have cited here has been cited by other comedians as an influence on their work. Provided by Wikipedia