What Happened To Snl’s Original Cast? Their Lives And Legacies 51 Years After The Premiere

So, I was watching Saturday Night Live the other night, and it got me thinking - what happened to the original cast? You know, the ones who started it all back in '75. I mean, they were the pioneers, the trailblazers, the ones who set the bar for comedy sketches and political satire. So, let's take a little trip down memory lane, shall we?

Meet the OG Cast

Imagine this: it's October 11, 1975. You're tuning into NBC, and suddenly, there they are - Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Gilda Radner, Laraine Newman, Garrett Morris, and Lorraine Newman. They're the first cast of SNL, and they're about to change the game.

Dan Aykroyd - The Polymath

Remember Blues Brothers? That's Dan. He's also the co-founder of House of Blues and Crystal Head Vodka. Not bad for a guy who started out doing impressions of Richard Nixon and Jimmy Carter. Oh, and he's a bit of a ghost hunter too. I mean, who doesn't love a good ghost story, right?

John Belushi - The Wild and Crazy Guy

Belushi was the wild card, the loose cannon. He was SNL's first breakout star, known for his over-the-top characters and his iconic catchphrase, "But nooooo!" He passed away in 1982, but his legacy lives on. His brother, Jim, even wrote a book about him called The Last Days of John Belushi. Heavy stuff, but it's a must-read if you're a Belushi fan.

'Saturday Night Live' Submits a Record 42 Performers for Emmy

Chevy Chase - The Original Weekend Update Anchor

Before Weekend Update was a thing, Chevy was there, delivering the news with his signature deadpan humor. He left SNL in 1976 to pursue a film career, and boy, did he succeed. He's been in classics like The Three Amigos, Caddyshack, and National Lampoon's Vacation. He's also had his fair share of controversy, but hey, no one's perfect, right?

And the Rest...

Jane Curtin went on to win two Emmys for her work on SNL and later hosted 30 Rock. Gilda Radner was a trailblazer for women in comedy, and her work on SNL is still celebrated today. Laraine Newman is the only woman to have been part of the original cast, and she's still acting and writing today. Garrett Morris was the first African American cast member, and he's had a long and successful career in television and film. Lorraine Newman, Laraine's sister, was a writer on the show and later became a producer.

'SNL' cast changes: Who's leaving, staying, new for season 51

Legacies That Live On

So, what happened to the original cast of SNL? They went on to do amazing things, that's what. They paved the way for every comedian who's come after them. They showed us that comedy can be political, that it can challenge the status quo, and that it can be damn funny too. And isn't that what SNL is all about?

Next time you're watching SNL, take a moment to appreciate the legacy of the original cast. They may not be there anymore, but their spirit lives on in every sketch, every impression, every laugh. And isn't that the best kind of legacy?