Heidi Gardner was a master of creating instantly memorable and deeply specific ‘Weekend Update’ characters. From the hilariously defensive Angel, ‘Every Boxer’s Girlfriend,’ to the effusively teen-ish Bailey Gismert, Gardner’s characters felt like they walked straight out of a bizarre reality show. She had a unique ability to find the humor in vocal tics and nervous energy. In sketches, she was a gifted, versatile ensemble player, capable of grounding a scene or stealing it with a perfectly delivered line. As her tenure continued, she established herself as one of the show’s most reliable and inventive utility players.