1975-1980
 

 

Dan Aykroyd
An original member of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players," Dan Aykroyd was one of the many fan favorites in the 70's, and still today. Dan could be a swinging brother, to a male prostitute, all the way to an upright and formal newsman. This is what made Dan so loved on the show; his versatility. Some of his beloved characters include Beldar Conehead, George from Olympia Restaurant, E. Buzz Miller and his stumpers, and one of the original Blue's Brothers, Elwood Blues. His canny impressions range from Bob Dole, to Jimmy Carter and Tom Snyder, to a hilarious Julia Child. He reigned from the show from 1975-1979, and left with fellow player John Belushi to take the Blue's Brothers on the road. Aykroyd has since been involved in Hollywood and the film industry.

John Belushi
Also an original player, Belushi was the first to speak out against SNL and other TV programs and wished to remain in Chicago. That all changed though when he accepted the SNL stint and became one of the show's first biggest stars. He went on to do characters such as Jake Blues and Pete from Olympia Restaurant. His impressions include Ed Asner, John Lennon, Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor and a shocking dead on of Joe Cocker, in which during Cocker's '76 performance, Belushi gets up on stage and starts to sing and mock him. He too left SNL early with fellow member Dan Aykroyd against Lorne Michaels wishes, also to pursue a Hollywood career. His life ended tragically on March 5th, 1982 when he died of an overdose.

Chevy Chase
This was SNL's first breakout star. He made it. "Good Evening I'm Chevy Chase, and you're not" is how he greeted his fans every week as he helmed over his creation, Weekend Update, for just over a season. There, he created a pathway that is still used today on the show, and he was the first to cross the line when it came to making fun of people. His zany characters include The Landshark, and his impressions include Greg Allman, and his unforgettable Gerald Ford. Week after week, he would bring his portrayal of Ford to life by making him look like a complete fool. He was the first, and almost throughout all his time on SNL, to say "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!" each week. Chevy left the show in early 1976 after only one season to pursue a "summer love" which fell apart instantly, but he continued in Hollywood to star in films such as "Caddyshack" and the Griswold Family adventures.

Jane Curtin
The first ignorant slut of the bunch. After Chevy's departure in the second season, she was called up to take over on Weekend Update. There she brought a new style, while still sticking on to many of Chevy's ways, to the news desk. Her characters range from Enid Loopner, to Prymaat Conehead, and impressions like Betty Ford and Anita Bryant. She left in 1980 with the rest of the gang to pursue Hollywood, and recently starred in the long running sitcom, "3rd Rock from the Sun."

Garret Morris
One of the most underused and most underrated SNLers, Garrett was the first to tackle the whites; "I'm gonna kill all the whities I see…!" His performances on Weekend Update with Chico Escuela made him a valuable part of the show, and also contributed to the "News for the Hard-for-Hearing." He also played Anwar Sadat, Jesse Owens and Tina Turner. He left the show in 1980 and since had been doing several independent productions.

Bill Murray
Not an original Prime Time Player, Bill joined company in early 1977. He too, was an instant hit. A valuable performer, he came up with characters like Todd DiLaMuca, Niko, and Nick the Lounge Singer. He impersonated the likes of Ted Koppel, Francis Ford Coppola, and Ted Kennedy. He was also the newsman with Jane Curtin from 1978-1980. He left that same year to go to Hollywood and has been very successful in big name films.

Laraine Newman
Not one of the standouts from the 70's, though useful were used, Laraine played a large roll in the show and every once in awhile would bring out a huge laugh in the audience. She played Connie Conehead to Belinda to Christy Christina. Her impressions included Amy Carter and Barbara Streisand. She left the show in 1980 to make a film career, and recently can be heard in many Saturday morning cartoons.

Gilda Radner
The first true love of the show. The very first hired and one of the last to leave in 1980, Gilda brought her wacky and unheard of characters to the stage and found the love of America. Her hilarious characters include Baba Wawa, Emily "Nevermind" Litella, Lisa Loopner, and Weekend Update correspondent Roseanne Roseannadanna. Her impressions included Jackie Onassis and Marie Osmond. Her love and dedication for the show never failed, and always kept an attitude of "it doesn't matter how you look on camera, but just look good for the after-party." She left in 1980 to work with Lorne to produce "Gilda Live," which she carried herself in a one woman show. She married former bandleader G.E. Smith, and also late husband Gene Wilder until she died of ovarian cancer in 1988.

Harry Shearer
Harry is one of those rare SNLers; one who left the show and then rehired at a later date. Harry was part for most of the 1979-1980 season, and was rehired in the celebrity cast of 1984-1985, but stayed only for 1984 because he got fed up with the show. One of his well known characters is Mr. Blackwell, where he donned his gray wig and large microphone, and impersonated the likes of Mike Wallace and Robin Leach, and a great Ronald Reagan. In between and since his SNL days, he has done some small movies and can been heard in the sitcom, "The Simpsons."