Gilda Radner
Birth Name:
Gilda Susan Radner
Birth Place:
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Profession
Actress, Soundtrack, Writer
Fast Facts
- Was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003
- Studied Drama at the University of Michigan, but left early to being her acting career in Toronto
- Was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 1985 and eventually succumbed to the disease in 1989, after which her husband, Gene Wilder, founded the cancer support community Gilda's Club
- Made her acting debut in a production of "Godspell" in 1972, and soon after joined Second City in Toronto
- Was a featured player on "The National Lampoon Show" and "The National Lampoon Radio Hour" in 1973
- Best known as a "Saturday Night Live" cast member and as Vickie Pearle in "Haunted Honeymoon․"
- Performed in her one-woman show, "Gilda Radner - Live from New York" in 1979, and later recorded the production as the film "Gilda Live!"
- Created the original "Saturday Night Live" characters Lisa Loopner, Roseanne Rosannadanna, and Candy Slice and also did impersonations of Patti Smith, Lucille Ball, and Olga Korbut
- She was the first cast member that creator Lorne Michaels hired for "Saturday Night Live" in 1975
Awards
- 1977Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music:Nominated
- 1978Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actress in Variety or Music:Winner
- 1979Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Comedy-Variety or Music Program:Nominated
- 1988Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Guest Performer in a Comedy Series:Nominated