Jan Hooks, the actress and comedian who rose to fame by starring on “Saturday Night Live” passed away on Thursday in New York City. She was made popular by portraying Ivana Trump, Tammy Faye Bakker, Sinead O’Connor and as part of the lounge-singing Sweeney Sisters during skits. She passed away at age 57.
The cause of death has not yet been revealed. But some sources told TMZ that she had been suffering from an illness, no word yet as to whether that’s true.
Hooks was on “SNL” from 1986 to 1991.
“She was totally amazing as a sketch player,” said one of her colleagues, Kevin Nealon, who also was in a previous relationship with her.
“She so immersed herself in her characters and her timing was amazing. She got it from some crazy stratosphere, and I was so attracted to that talent in her, and I don’t think she ever knew how well respected and admired she was for her talent,” said Nealon.
Hooks was also known from starring on “Designing Women” right after SNL. She played Carlene Dobber for two seasons on the show, which was set in Atlanta, right next to her hometown.
She also had a popular role in “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure.”
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