An exuberant performer and impressionist, Ellen Cleghorne was a main cast member from 1991 to 1995. For a time, she was the only Black woman in the cast, and she created several memorable recurring characters. She was known for her take on the perpetually unimpressed neighbor, Queen Shenequa, and Zoraida, a lively NBC tour guide. Cleghorne also did solid work in sketch comedy. After her time on the show, Cleghorne pursued a career in academia, eventually earning a Ph.D. in Performance Studies. She has continued to act and perform stand-up, balancing her creative and scholarly pursuits.