Saturday Night Live has been a staple of American television for over four decades. While the show has seen many cast members come and go over the years, there is one group that is particularly revered: the original Saturday Night Live cast.
This group of talented comedians helped to define the show’s irreverent, boundary-pushing style and established the show as a cultural touchstone.
In this post, I’ll take a closer look at the original Saturday Night Live cast and the impact they had on comedy and popular culture.
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The Original Saturday Night Live Cast
The original cast of Saturday Night Live consisted of seven members, each with their unique comedic talents and personalities. They were:
Together, this group of comedians helped to establish Saturday Night Live as a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. Their willingness to take risks and push boundaries helped to redefine what was possible in comedy, and their influence can still be felt today.
Original Saturday Night Live Cast Member #1: Dan Aykroyd
Dan Aykroyd was known for his deadpan humor and his ability to play a wide range of characters. He was also responsible for writing many of the show’s most memorable sketches, including the “Coneheads” and “Irwin Mainway” sketches.
After leaving Saturday Night Live, Aykroyd went on to have a successful career in film, with roles in movies like “Ghostbusters” and “The Blues Brothers”.
John Belushi
John Belushi was known for his physical comedy and his willingness to throw himself fully into his roles. He was a key player in many of the show’s most iconic sketches, including the “Samurai” sketches and the “Blues Brothers” sketches.
Tragically, Belushi’s life was cut short when he died of a drug overdose in 1982, but his influence on comedy and popular culture is still felt today.
Chevy Chase
Chevy Chase was known for his deadpan humor and his ability to improvise on the spot. He was also responsible for creating one of the show’s most iconic characters, the bumbling and arrogant news anchor, “Weekend Update” host.
Chase went on to have a successful career in film and television, with roles in movies like “Caddyshack” and “National Lampoon’s Vacation”.
Jane Curtin
Jane Curtin was the show’s first female cast member and was known for her dry wit and her ability to play straight characters.
She was a key player in many of the show’s most iconic sketches, including the “Coneheads” and “Point/Counterpoint” sketches. After leaving Saturday Night Live, Curtin went on to have a successful career in television, with roles in shows like “Kate & Allie” and “3rd Rock from the Sun”.
Garrett Morris
Garrett Morris was known for his ability to play a wide range of characters and for his musical talent. He was a key player in many of the show’s most memorable musical sketches, including the “Killer Bees” sketch and the “Jazzercise” sketch.
After leaving Saturday Night Live, Morris went on to have a successful career in television and film, with roles in shows like “The Jamie Foxx Show” and movies like “The Blues Brothers”.
Laraine Newman
Laraine Newman was known for her ability to play a wide range of characters and for her improvisational skills. She was a key player in many of the show’s most memorable sketches, including the “Coneheads” and “Sheri the Valley Girl” sketches.
After leaving Saturday Night Live, Newman went on to have a successful career in voice acting, with roles in shows like “The Critic” and “The Fairly OddParents”.
Photo Credits: Saturday Night Live