‘SNL' Star Thought a Beloved Comedy Icon's ‘Spirit' Was ‘Talking' to Her
And for women in comedy, one SNL alum in particular gets mentioned quite a bit: the sweet and charming Gilda Radner, who died of ovarian cancer less than a decade after leaving the show.
But her legacy has continued, from her fellow founding cast members' homage to her at the end of the SNL50 Anniversary Special, where they held up a framed photo of Radner to the camera, to a current SNL star's conviction that Radner is cheering her on from the beyond.
Sarah Sherman recently told Vulture's Good One podcast that after joining the show, she "got a giant envelope in the mail" that contained a handwritten letter from a member of Radner's family.
Sherman shared that the letter said, "Hey, I'm Gilda Radner's brother. Weird thing happened where I've been receiving all of your residuals checks for the past few months…by the way, you're really great on the show," prompting an emotional reaction from the actress.
"I started hysterically sobbing, obviously, because I'm like, 'okay, God's speaking to me right now.' The fact that my SAG residuals checks, shout out union, my SAG residuals checks have been sent to Gilda Radner's estate," she continued.
"I texted Lorne, I was like, 'Oh my God, my checks have been sent to Gilda Radner's estate. Isn't this, like, a crazy coincidence? I feel like this is like a miracle or like, I feel like this is a spirit talking,'" Sherman said she wrote to SNL chief Lorne Michaels.
As for Michaels' response? "Lorne was like, 'That's sweet.'"
Next: Why a Request From Taylor Swift Was Once Turned Down By 'SNL's Lorne Michaels: 'I Don't Negotiate With Terrorists'
Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Post
2 hours ago
- New York Post
Bob Odenkirk made this movie to impress his 'SNL' buddies
Bob Odenkirk is breaking bad. The 'Better Call Saul' star has revealed that he only made the 2021 action movie 'Nobody' because he wanted to impress his former 'Saturday Night Live' colleagues. 'I thought of you guys often when I was exercising and thinking that's just a reason to be doing this is if I could pull it off,' Odenkirk, 62, told Conan O'Brien during the 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' podcast this week. 11 Bob Odenkirk discussing 'Nobody' and its newly released sequel during the 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' podcast. YouTube/@TeamCoco 11 Bob Odenkirk as Hutch Mansell in 2021's 'Nobody.' ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection 'That would blow my friends' minds,' he added. While Odenkirk name-dropped O'Brien, Robert Smigel and Adam Sandler as some of the buddies he wanted to impress, the 'Breaking Bad' actor also included comedian David Spade specifically. 'I kept thinking about Spade, I don't know why,' Odenkirk, who was a writer on 'SNL' from 1987 to 1991, laughed. 'He would go see it and go like, 'What the f–k?'' 11 Adam Sandler, David Spade and the rest of the 'Saturday Night Live' cast in 1992. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images 11 David Spade and Bob Odenkirk in 'The Odd Couple' in 1999. NBCUniversal via Getty Images Meanwhile, O'Brien recalled how Odenkirk told him about 'Nobody' shortly before the film premiered four years ago. Although the 'Late Night' host didn't think too much of it at the time, he was quickly impressed by Odenkirk's surprising performance. 'When it came out, I was just, 'Oh, he's so good at this,'' O'Brien shared. 11 Conan O'Brien discussing 'Nobody' and its sequel during the 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' podcast. YouTube/@TeamCoco 11 Bob Odenkirk in the first 'Nobody' movie. ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection The comedian was so impacted that he asked Odenkirk for a cameo in the movie's sequel, which hit theaters Friday, Aug. 15. Even though O'Brien did not make the cut for 'Nobody 2,' he is hoping Odenkirk releases a third film so he can land a small role. 'I just want to be beaten,' O'Brien joked. 'I want someone to beat the s–t out of me.' 11 The poster for 'Nobody' (2021). ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection 11 The poster for 'Nobody 2' (2025). ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection 'Nobody' stars Odenkirk as Hutch Mansell, a retired assassin-turned-family man who must return to his former life after his family becomes the target of an unforgiving crime lord. The film's sequel reportedly picks up shortly after the events of the first movie, and Odenkirk's character takes his family on a much-needed vacation. 11 Bob Odenkirk on the red carpet at the SNL 40th Anniversary Special at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City on February 15, 2015. UPI However, they soon find themselves in the crosshairs of a corrupt theme-park operator, a shady sheriff and a bloodthirsty crime boss, and Hutch must once again save his family from the danger. While the sequel only just hit theaters, Odenkirk still teased the possibility of a third 'Nobody' movie on Thursday during an interview with the Associated Press. The two-time Emmy-winner said that he would like to make a third film that ends with his character having nothing left. 11 Bob Odenkirk reprising his role as Hutch Mansell in 'Nobody 2.' ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection 11 Bob Odenkirk as Hutch Mansell in 'Nobody 2.' ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection 'Yeah, the moral would be that everything he loves is gone,' Odenkirk told the outlet. 'He burned everything he loved.' 'We let him get away with it because the movie is an entertainment, and it's meant to tell you: Yes, you can let go of your rage in this magical world,' the 'Glengarry Glen Ross' Broadway star continued. 'But in the end, I would think that it's an addiction. And he does want to do it. He does want to have a go, and so does every guy.' 'That's why we have movies,' Odenkirk concluded. 'And that's why we have boxing matches.'
New York Post
4 hours ago
- New York Post
‘Hillbilly Elegy' director reveals last text to ‘divisive' JD Vance
The director of 'Hillbilly Elegy,' the movie about Vice President JD Vance's fraught upbringing, time as a Yale Law student and Appalachian hometown roots, said that he didn't anticipate Vance's rhetoric to be as 'divisive' as it has become. During a conversation with Vulture published Wednesday titled, ''You're Only As Good As Your Last Film' Ron Howard has worked with everyone from Bette Davis to J.D. Vance. He has stories about all of them,' director Ron Howard was appeared perplexed by Vance's public persona. Howard also revealed the last time he texted Vance and the content of the message. Bilge Ebiri, a film critic for 'Vulture,' asked Vance, 'You obviously spent a lot of time with J. D. Vance back then; you did press together. Are you able to reconcile the person you knew and the character in the movie with the person you see now?' 'It remains a bit of a surprise to me,' Howard said. 'I would not have seen it coming, and I wouldn't have expected his rhetoric to be as divisive as it sometimes is. By the way, I'm not following him or listening to every word.' 4 Ron Howard, director of 'Hillbilly Elegy,' reveals his thoughts about Vice President JD Vance's persona. Getty Images The veteran film director revealed that he had one recent interaction, via text, with Vance. 'I did one text, after the election, which was just sort of 'Godspeed. Try to serve us well,'' Howard said. 'Hillbilly Elegy,' released in 2020, is an adaptation of Vance's 2016 memoir of the same name. 4 'I did one text, after the election, which was just sort of 'Godspeed. Try to serve us well,'' Howard said about his text to Vance. AP 4 'Hillbilly Elegy,' released in 2020, is an adaptation of Vance's 2016 memoir of the same name, and was directed by Ron Howard, with stars such as Amy Adams and Glenn Close in the film. Netflix 4 HILLBILLY ELEGY: (L to R) Haley Bennett (Lindsay), Gabriel Basso (J.D. Vance), Amy Adams (Bev). Lacey Terrell/NETFLIX Howard stated that he was unsure about his film's legacy. 'I know it's a mixed bag and probably quite culturally divided,' Howard said. 'I also know that reviews were bad and the audience-reaction rating was pretty good.' According to Howard, Vance was 'frustrated' by the response to the film. 'I remember reading that the response to the film had really shocked him,' Ebiri asked Howard. 'Did you get that sense at the time?' 'Yes, I did,' Howard said. 'He was frustrated by that. He loved Glenn Close's performance and Amy Adams's performance and liked the film. And he felt that, just as reviews had kind of turned on the book, his involvement was in some way tainting or coloring the critical response, and he resented it.'
Buzz Feed
5 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
19 Celebs Who Became Famous Much Later In Life
Youth is a hot currency in Hollywood, which makes it all the more remarkable when celebrities find success later in life (even if that "later" would be considered young in other industries). Here are some celebs who prove that hard work pays off. Pedro Pascal Pedro Pascal is a hot commodity right now, at 50 years old — but he nearly quit acting multiple times throughout his 20s and 30s. It wasn't until he landed the role of Oberyn Martell on Game of Thrones when he was in his late 30s that his career really started to take off. Leslie Jones Leslie Jones worked for years to build her stand-up comedy career before she scored a spot on the cast of Saturday Night Live at the age of 47 — becoming the oldest person to join the show as a cast member. Morgan Freeman It seems like Morgan Freeman has been old his whole career — perhaps because he got his big break at age 50, in the movie Street Smart. Before that, he had primarily worked as a stage actor. Jane Lynch Jane Lynch plugged away in minor roles for years and years in films like The 40-Year-Old Virgin, but only became a household name when she landed her breakthrough role of Sue Sylvester in Glee at the age of 49. Samuel L. Jackson Samuel L. Jackson's roles were mostly small for the first part of his acting career, and his profile didn't increase until he was in his 40s. While he appeared in Jungle Fever, Jurassic Park and True Romance, it wasn't until he starred in Pulp Fiction at age 45 that he became a household name. Alan Rickman Alan Rickman was a graphic designer before he decided to pursue acting professionally in his mid-20s. He performed roles in theatre productions and TV for several years, but his breakthrough — and first film — role was as villain Hans Gruber in Die Hard, when he was 42. Ken Jeong Ken Jeong worked as an actual doctor for years, doing bit parts and comedy on the side, when he scored the role of an on-screen doctor in Knocked Up when he was in his late 30s. It was then that he transitioned from medicine to a full-time screen career. Viola Davis Viola Davis had a steady stage career and plenty of minor film and TV roles over the years, but her star really rose when she had a scene-stealing role in the movie Doubt at the age of 43. Steve Carell Steve Carell worked steadily in comedy roles — mainly on late night TV — for years, but he hit the big time and became famous in his 40s when he starred in Anchorman, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and, of course, The Office. Harrison Ford Harrison Ford was famously working as a carpenter to support himself through his early acting career — right up until he landed his big break as Han Solo in Star Wars at the age of 35. Kathy Bates While Kathy Bates already had a successful stage career and had had several on-screen roles, it was her breakout role in the movie Misery when she was 42 that really brought her widespread fame. John Mahoney John Mahoney worked as a teacher and then an editor of a medical journal before he decided to seriously pursue acting in his late 30s. He found success on stage before scoring some small but memorable TV and movie roles, and then achieving widespread recognition as Martin Crane in Frasier at the age of 53. Bryan Cranston Bryan Cranston steadily built up his acting career over the years, taking on plenty of small roles before landing the leading role of Hal on Malcolm in the Middle when he was in his mid-40s, which really put him on the Hollywood map. Ty Burrell Another actor made famous in a dad role, Ty Burrell was a largely unkown actor — having had a string of pretty minor roles — prior to being cast as Phil Dunphy on Modern Family, on which he became one of the standout characters. He was in his early 40s at the time. Octavia Spencer In her early career, Octavia Spencer had many minor roles on screen, but when she starred as Minny in The Help she became a household name at the age of 40. Martha Stewart Her name is now synonymous with lifestyle content, but Martha Stewart worked as a stockbroker and then ran a catering company before she published her first cookbook Entertaining at age 41, which launched her lifestyle entertainment empire. Jon Hamm Jon Hamm was struggling so much to make acting work that he nearly quit. Good thing he didn't, because he finally landed the role that would make his career — the lead, Don Draper in Mad Men — when he was in his mid-30s. Tim Allen The dad effect strikes again. Tim Allen had been working primarily in stand-up comedy when he was cast in the lead role in the family sitcom Home Improvement. He was in his late 30s at the time. Bea Arthur Bea Arthur achieved a lot of success on stage, but it was her breakthrough role at the age of 49 playing Maude Findlay in All in the Family and its spin-off, centred on her, called Maude, that really made her famous.
