Celebrate ‘SNL’s 50th Anniversary with a Look Back at the Original Cast | Entertainment

NEW YORK (AP) — Live from New York! It’s 50 seasons later for “SNL.”

The landmark NBC sketch comedy present “Saturday Night Live” premiered Oct. 11, 1975, with drop-dead darkish humor and pratfalls, George Carlin as host and never one however two musical company: Billy Preston and Janis Ian.

On Saturday nights, in these early years, younger folks gathered round TVs to look at the Lorne Michaels manufacturing that served up counterculture to the mass market through the Not Ready for Prime Time Players.

“What is attractive and unusual about the program is that it is an attempt, finally, to provide entertainment on television in a recognizable human, non-celebrity voice, and in a voice, too, that tries to deal with the morass of media-induced show business culture that increasingly pervades American life,” The New Yorker’s Michael J. Arlen wrote in a 1975 assessment.

Fast ahead to this yr, Sept. 28, when the first episode of “SNL’s” half-century season is about to air in a lead-up to a three-hour dwell primetime particular Feb. 16 on, gasp, a Sunday. Jean Smart will host to open the season, with Jelly Roll as musical visitor.

Over the many years, some seasons have been higher than others, with breakout stars like Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Mike Myers and extra following the authentic seven. So what grew to become of the very first solid, the freshman class, post-“SNL?” Here’s a catchup.

John Belushi

“National Lampoon’s Animal House,” “Continental Divide,” “Neighbors” and all issues The Blues Brothers. Belushi left “SNL” in 1979 to pursue music and movie tasks. That he did, to unhealthy evaluations and good.

Following years of drug use, he died March 5, 1982, at 33 after overdosing at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles. Belushi’s demise shocked and saddened his buddies and followers and symbolized the finish of the hard-living ‘70s.

In addition to his mischievous, usually frenzied performances on “SNL,” Belushi appeared in different movies as effectively, together with the drama “Old Boyfriends” and the poorly-reviewed Steven Spielberg–directed historic comedy “1941.”

Before that, Belushi birthed his “Joliet” Jake Blues, becoming a member of fellow “SNL” solid member Dan Aykroyd as brother Elwood. Their TV debut as the brothers blue got here on “SNL” in 1978.

The sunglass-wearing, dark-suited Blues Brothers took on a fame of their very own with the self-titled 1980 film, directed by John Landis. After Belushi’s demise, “Blues Brothers 2000” was launched in 1998 in tribute with most of the first movie’s authentic solid.

After Belushi’s demise, a lot of his family members, together with his widow Judith Belushi Pisano, have been angered by the destructive narrative tone of “Wired,” the Bob Woodward e-book about the comedian genius. Belushi Pisano and Tanner Colby responded with a e-book of their very own, “Belushi: A Biography.”

Belushi Pisano, his highschool sweetheart, died in July from most cancers. John Belushi shared a writing Emmy with fellow “SNL” solid members and writers in 1977.

Gilda Radner

Nasally Roseanne Roseannadanna. Weird teen Lisa Loopner. Weekend Update’s “never mind” complainer Emily Litella. Radner contributed an endearing sweetness to the inaugural season of “SNL.” She stayed for 5 years.

In 1979, the Emmy and Grammy winner took to Broadway to carry out a one-woman present, “Gilda Live.” Included have been a few of her most beloved “SNL” characters, together with Baba Wawa, a spoof of Barbara Walters. The present was filmed and launched as a film.

Radner appeared in a number of different movies, together with “First Family” and “The Woman in Red,” the latter a 1984 hit written and directed by her co-star and future husband, Gene Wilder. Among different tasks: She starred in the 1980 Broadway drama “Lunch Hour.”

Radner died May 20, 1989, at age 42 after a lengthy battle with ovarian most cancers. Her e-book detailing her most cancers struggle was launched earlier that yr. A documentary about her life, “Love Gilda,” was launched in 2018.

Chevy Chase

Chase was the first to utter the phrases: “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” And he has a lengthy listing of post-“SNL” credit, together with many business successes and his share of flops. He was additionally the first solid member to depart the present.

Initially employed as a author, he was identified on “SNL” for “Weekend Update,” his bumbling President Gerald Ford, his pratfalls generally and his feuds with solid members. Chase was changed in the center of the second season by Bill Murray.

Years later (2013), Chase exited TV’s “Community” throughout the fourth season amid complaints about racial slurs directed at fellow solid member Donald Glover.

In between “SNL” and that second, Chase labored a lot, at least for a time.

There have been two “Fletch” motion pictures. There was “Caddyshack” and a poorly-received sequel. There was “The Three Amigos!” There have been 5 “Vacation” motion pictures, although his look in the final one (in 2015) was a cameo.

Chase’s first hit was “Foul Play” with Goldie Hawn in 1978. He tried his hand at a late-night speak present, “The Chevy Chase Show,” on Fox in 1993. It was canceled after six weeks.

Among his awards: A writing Emmy for “SNL” in 1976, a efficiency Emmy on the present the identical yr and a shared writing Emmy for “The Paul Simon Special” in 1977.

Chase put out a biography in 2007, “I’m Chevy Chase … and You’re Not,” named for his well-known catchphrase as anchor of “Weekend Update.” In his e-book, he detailed childhood bodily abuse at the fingers of his mom and stepfather, John Cederquist — each of whom are useless.

Now 80, Chase has taken in recent times to internet hosting screenings with viewers Q&As for “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” the most enduring film in that franchise.

He additionally makes hen sounds and posts fan meetups and household gatherings on TikTok, the place he has 1.2 million followers.

Laraine Newman

She left “SNL” in 1980 after portraying Connie Conehead, Valley Girl stewardess Sherry and ditzy public entry TV co-host Christie Christina. She was additionally a recurring reporter on “Weekend Update.”

Newman has spoken overtly about her struggles with despair and drug habit throughout that point. She acquired sober in 1987.

Before leaving “SNL,” Newman appeared in the 1978 movie “American Hot Wax.” Steady movie, TV and voice work adopted by way of the Nineteen Eighties into the 2000s. She was the antagonist in the 1991 comedy “Problem Child 2” and appeared in 1993’s “Coneheads” as Connie’s Aunt Laarta.

Newman, 72, appeared in episodes of “Friends,” “3rd Rock from the Sun,” “7th Heaven,” “Laverne & Shirley” and “St. Elsewhere,” and in the 1994 dwell motion “Flintstones” movie.

She lent her voice to a number of animated hit movies, together with “Wall-E,” “Up,” “Toy Story 3″ and “Tangled.” And she has worked as a magazine writer and editor. In 2021, she put out “May You Live in Interesting Times,” an audio memoir.

Fun fact: After high school graduation, Newman studied mime in Paris with Marcel Marceau.

In 2017, with the rest of “SNL’s” original cast, she was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame.

Dan Aykroyd

When he wasn’t bleeding out as Julia Child or declaring, “Jane, you ignorant slut!” on “Weekend Update,” Aykroyd swagged with Steve Martin as one in all two wild and loopy guys, and led the Conehead household as patriarch Beldar.

And he lent a lot extra to “SNL” earlier than leaving in 1979, together with as half of The Blues Brothers and impersonations of speak present host Tom Snyder, Rod Serling and two presidents: Nixon and Carter.

With Belushi, his shut pal, and backed by legit gamers, the bluesy and soulful brothers caught on as a band. They performed gigs and launched a multimillion-selling album, “Briefcase Full of Blues.”

His post-“SNL” work has taken him even higher. He and Belushi had a smash with “The Blues Brothers” film. Hit after hit followed: “Neighbors” in 1981, “Trading Places” in 1983 and the 1984 “Ghostbusters” that launched a franchise (Aykroyd and Harold Ramis wrote the first two). He also appeared in “1941.”

Aykroyd, 72, wrote and narrated a recent audio documentary, “Blues Brothers: The Arc of Gratitude.”

In 1985, Aykroyd co-wrote and starred with Chase in “Spies Like Us,” directed by Landis. Aykroyd earned a supporting actor Oscar nomination for 1989’s “Driving Miss Daisy.”

The ‘90s weren’t so variety. There have been many flops, together with his directorial debut in 1991, “Nothing but Trouble” starring Demi Moore, Chase, John Candy and Aykroyd with a grisly prosthetic face. A brilliant spot was the acclaimed “Grosse Pointe Blank,” wherein he performed a rival hitman to star John Cusack.

With Hard Rock Cafe co-founder Isaac Tigrett, Aykroyd co-founded House of Blues, a chain of dwell music halls and eating places that grew to become a division of Live Nation in 2006.

Jane Curtin

Curtin left “SNL,” in 1980, after 5 seasons. She was a grasp of deadpan, usually taking part in the straight girl off such outsized performers as Belushi and Radner. An everyday on “Weekend Update,” she was additionally identified for the Coneheads sketches as matriarch Prymaat and as Enid Loopner with fellow nerds Radner and Murray.

Curtin, 76, has spoken about being bothered by the drug-fueled existence of a few of her castmates. She received two Emmys for her Nineteen Eighties sitcom “Kate & Allie.” She later starred as Dr. Mary Albright in the hit collection “3rd Rock from the Sun” (1996-2001).

Her post-“SNL” work stayed mainly on television, including some busts like the 1990 sitcom “Working it Out.” It was canceled after 13 episodes. With Fred Savage, she appeared in the sitcom “Crumbs” in 2006. It was canceled four months later.

There was some Broadway work: Miss Proserpine Garnett in “Candida,” “Love Letters” and the 2002 revival of “Our Town” that marked Paul Newman’s return to Broadway after 38 years.

Garrett Morris

Initially employed as a author, he was the oldest on “SNL’s” first solid at 37. He got here to the present after 17 years as a singer and arranger with Harry Belafonte, as an actor in performs and musicals, as a playwright and as a civil rights activist who helped desegregate Actor’s Equity.

Morris was raised in New Orleans by his grandmother and Baptist minister grandfather, spending his childhood singing in the church choir. He later grew to become a Buddhist after transferring to New York, the place he was homeless for a time effectively earlier than “SNL.”

Morris, 87, skilled at The Juilliard School. Belafonte gave him his first skilled break. Morris carried out with the Harry Belafonte Singers for 10 years, beginning when he was simply 22.

He remained on “SNL” till 1980. He was identified for his character Chico Escuela, the Dominican baseball participant whose catchphrase, “Baseball has been berry berry good to me,” caught on in popular culture. He additionally carried out as the shouting interpreter in the “News for the Hard of Hearing” segments and did impersonations of Idi Amin, James Brown, Sammy Davis, Jr., Bob Marley and Muhammad Ali.

Morris as soon as sang a Mozart aria on “SNL” as the musical visitor. He additionally sang a Schubert composition on the present.

In 1994, Morris was shot and critically wounded in an tried holdup in Los Angeles.

In the ‘80s, Morris appeared in a string of horror films. Later, he was a regular on the series “2 Broke Girls” and performed on TV comedies “Martin,” “The Jamie Foxx Show” and “The Wayans Brothers.” He also appeared on “Married with Children,” “Family Guy” and “The Jeffersons.”

He competed with his family on “Celebrity Family Feud” in 2016, appeared on “This is Us” in 2018 and on a “Black Lady Sketch Show” in 2019.

Morris also has a long list of film credits: Sidney Lumet’s “The Anderson Tapes,” the basic “Cooley High,” “The Longshots,” “Pawn Shop” and Marvel’s “Ant-Man” included.