The heart of the original cast, Gilda Radner was a whirlwind of joyous, fearless, and deeply human characters. She could be brilliantly broad as the gross-out news correspondent Roseanne Roseannadanna or heartbreakingly subtle as the confused Emily Litella. Radner had a unique ability to connect with the audience, making them feel like they were in on the joke with a dear friend. Her one-woman Broadway show, Gilda Live, captured this magic perfectly. Her career after SNL was tragically cut short by her battle with cancer, but her luminous spirit and groundbreaking work remain an essential part of the show’s DNA, influencing countless performers who followed. For many female cast members, Radner is a standard they measure themselves against.