On Thursday, it was announced that former Saturday Night Live cast member, Jan Hooks, passed away from an undisclosed illness at the age of 57. She was a part of the show from 1986 until 1991, when she left to join the sitcom, Designing Women.
Hooks was a part of a legendary time on the late-night show, joining Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman and Nora Dunn in Studio 1A each week. Her famous impersonations of Hillary Clinton, Tammy Faye Bakker and Sinead O’Connor cemented her status as one of funniest gals of all time.
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While there aren’t many videos on YouTube celebrating her comedy, we found a few that honor her work on television and in films.
Kathie Lee Gifford
Gifford was at her prime starring on Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee and she was easy to make fun of. Hooks played the talk show host with gusto as she sang to a monkey with the ditty, “I Didn’t Evolve From You.”
www.youtube.com/embed/j_-1NElYK1o
Pee-wee’s Big Adventure
www.youtube.com/embed/cYfjq3ZYZbA
One of the campiest movies of 1985 was Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. Hooks played an over-the-top Alamo tour guide against a very impatient Pee-wee Herman, who is looking for his stolen bicycle. The line, “Please hold all questions until the end of the tour,” is still a classic.
Phil Hartman
Some of her best work was played off of the late Phil Hartman. In this blooper reel of Hartman’s, fans can see what made Hooks such a great comedian.
www.youtube.com/embed/47rzQzPILu0
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10-10-220 Commercial
Even in this 10-10-220 commercial back when America had landlines in their homes, the cheeky humor of Hooks is seen in a spot featuring baseball player, Mike Piazza.
www.youtube.com/embed/OI879-OGV8A
“Brenda the Waitress” with Alec Baldwin
This sketch featured frequent host, Alec Baldwin, as a hunky cowboy in a diner. Hooks played a waitress whose banal chatter is filled with sexual innuendos. It’s a must-see SNL skit.
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