In the movieSaturday Night, audiences get a sneak peek into the chaotic process of puttingthe first episode ofSaturday Night Liveon the air, but there’s curiousity about what happened to the original cast afterward.Saturday Nightis a historical comedy directed by Jason Reitman and led by a massively star-studded cast, including Gabriel LaBelle, Dylan O’Brien, Rachel Sennott, Willem Dafoe, J.K. Simmons, and more.The movie revolves around the real life sketch comedy show,Saturday Night Live,which has been airing consistently since 1975. The film shows Lorne Michaels' struggle to make the show happen.
A major aspect ofSaturday Nightis the cast. Nowadays,audiences recognize members ofSaturday Night Live’scast to be some of the best comediansof their generation. However, this was not the case during the show’s first season. Michaels hired relatively unknown performers who NBC had very little faith in. They were known as the “Not Ready for Prime-Time Players.” Yet, these actors eventually became household names and did amazing things beyondSaturday Night Live.To do this, they eventually had to leave the show altogether.
Chevy Chase Left SNL During Season 2
Chase’s Fiancée Didn’t Want To Move To New York
The first member ofSNL’soriginal cast to leave the show was Chevy Chase. Chase was originally hired as a writer but became a full-time cast member before the show’s premiere. InSaturday Night,he is portrayed by Cory Michael Smith as arrogant but also incredibly funny. Chase was the very first host of Weekend Update and helped set the tone for the rest ofSNL’s50 seasons.However,Chase only remained with the show for a season and a half before exiting. Apparently, this decision was made by his fiancée, Jacqueline, who didn’t want to move to New York.
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Aside from his partner’s wishes, Chase likely also felt confident about leavingSNLbecause he had several opportunities waiting for him. His success onSNLled to his casting in projects likeFoul Play, Caddyshack,andNational Lampoon’s Vacation.He also began collaborating with other popular comedians, including Martin Short and Steve Martin inThree Amigos.Ultimately,Chase became a big name in comedyand continued to work into his old age onCommunityandHot Tub Time Machine.Currently, Chase hasn’t been on-screen since 2015.
Dan Aykroyd Left SNL After Season 4
Similar to Chase, Dan Aykroyd was another comedian who was hired bySNLas a writer but eventually became a cast member. He quickly became known for his wide range of impersonations and his youthful, energetic spirit. Notably, Aykroyd was the youngest member ofSNL’soriginal cast. Dylan O’Brien’s portrayal of Aykroyd depicts the comedian as a goofy and flirtatious young man who has a joke for just about any situation.Aykroyd ended up leavingSNLat the end of season 4to pursue bigger and better roles.
Many did speculate that Aykroyd only left because his close friend, John Belushi, was also leaving and wanted to take Aykroyd with him.
Once again, Aykroyd’s career followed a similar trajectory as Chase’s. AfterSNL,he took on roles in iconic comedy projects such asThe Blues Brothers, Coneheads,andtheGhostbustersfranchise. Aykroyd has enjoyed quite a fruitful career ever since. He has performed on-screen as recently as 2024 inGhostbusters: Frozen Empire.In this way, it seems like a good decision that Aykroyd leftSNLwhen he did. Many did speculate that Aykroyd only left because his close friend, John Belushi, was also leaving and wanted to take Aykroyd with him.
John Belushi Left SNL After Season 4
Belushi Wanted To Pursue A Film Career
John Belushi was another pivotal member ofSNL’soriginal cast.Belushi’s main draw was his physical humorand his ability to create unique and hilarious characters. For example, Belushi and Aykroyd’sBlues Brothers characterswere originally meant just to warm up the studio audience but eventually expanded into an actual musical act and film franchise. InSaturday Night,Belushi is played by Matt Wood. He is showcased as an unpredictable and fairly angry character who must be worked with to access his incredible talent.
Unfortunately, Belushi’s life afterSNLwas not as fortunate as Chase or Aykroyd. After his exit from the show in season 4, Belushi did take on roles in major films such asAnimal HouseandThe Blues Brothers. However, Belushi struggled with substance abuse issues which led to serious health issues. In 1982,Belushi passed away from a drug overdoseat the age of 33. Belushi’s death was a huge upset for the comedy community and to those who enjoyed watching him. Although his death occurred decades ago, he is still remembered for his amazing talent.
Gilda Radner Left SNL After Season 5
Radner Left Along With Lorne Michaels
Only one season after Aykroyd and Belushi leftSNL,Gilda Radner followed.Radner was the first performer to be cast inSNL’sfreshman cast, and was well-known for originating popular characters such as Roseanne Roseannadanna and Baba Wawa. Played by Ella Hunt, Radner’s character inSaturday Nightappears to be quirky, enthusiastic, and optimistic. However, she does seem to struggle with the fact that she is always cast as the little sister, and never the sexy female character. Regardless, Radner is another comedian whose performances have stayed with audiences for years afterward.
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Ultimately,Radner leftSNLbecause Lorne Michaels was leaving. Michaels was interested in pursuing other projects, but NBC refused to putSNLon hiatus for him. Thus, Michaels exited the series and much of the main cast left with him, including Radner. Luckily, like the rest of the freshman cast, Radner had various opportunities presented to her, including a one-woman show on Broadway and a play. She did not build a movie career like her other castmates. Unfortunately, Radner passed away in 1989 from ovarian cancer.
Laraine Newman Left SNL After Season 5
Newman Followed Radner & Michaels
AnotherSNLcast member to follow Michaels out was Laraine Newman.Newman was the founder and an original member of The Groundlings, ultimately leading to her casting inSNL.Newman’s greatest talents were her ability to improvise and her unique characters like Connie Conehead, though she usually didn’t repeat characters as often as her peers. InSaturday Night,Newman is played by Emily Fairn and appears to be a relatively quiet and observant young woman, though wildly funny. This makes sense, as Newman has spoken about her unhappiness while working on SNL.
Laraine Newman’s daughter is Hannah Einbinder who has recently gained popularity for her role inHacks.
AfterMichael’sSNLexit, Newman followed and tried to pursue a movie career. She was not nearly as successful as some of her other castmates, presumably because of her struggle with drug addiction and depression. Yet, by the 1990s,Newman became sober and found her niche in voice acting. She has performed in countless animated series and movies, likeDanny Phantom, Avatar: The Last Airbender, Rugrats, Finding Nemo,and more. Most recently, Newman appeared in 2024’sDespicable Me 4and is set to perform in the upcoming animated film,Dog Man.
Garrett Morris Left SNL After Season 5
Morris Also Left With Michaels
Yet anotherSNLcast member to follow Michaels was Garrett Morris. Morris was the only African American cast member in the first season ofSNL,and was notable for his singing performances and his writing abilities. BeforeSNL,Morris was a playwright. As portrayed by Lamorne Morris inSaturday Night,Morris struggled to find his place atSNL,unsure of why he had been chosen as a cast member. In real life, Morris often felt as though he was put into stereotypical roles because of his race. This led to some unhappiness with the series.
Morris' treatment onSNLeventually led other BIPOC actors on the series to question the roles they were given, leading to beneficial changes for the sketch show.
After his departure fromSNL,Morris took on a variety of TV and movie projects, with some of the most notable beingThe Jeffersons, The Jamie Foxx Show, Martin,and2 Broke Girls.Morris has continued his acting career into the present day, appearing in 2015’sAnt-Man,the 2018 drama seriesThis Is Us,and the 2019 sketch comedy show,A Black Lady Sketch Show.Morris' treatment onSNLeventually led other BIPOC actors on the series to question the roles they were given, leading to beneficial changes for the sketch show.
Jane Curtin Left SNL After Season 5
Curtin Followed Michaels & The Rest Of The Cast
The finalSNLcast member to leave the show was Jane Curtin, who also followed Michael, Radner, Newman, and Morris.Curtin typically played the “straight-woman” in sketches, acting opposite more unpredictable characters like Belushi and Radner. Behind the scenes, she has also been described as being more put together and focused than her peers. Played by Kim Matula, Curtin gives off the same energy inSaturday Night,though her talent for deadpan comedy and characters is also put on display.
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Unlike her castmates,Curtin did not attempt to start a movie career, but instead stayed on television. She appeared in two long-running TV shows,Kate & AllieandWorking it Out.She also showed up on series like3rd Rock from the Sunand did voice work forRecessandCyberchase.Curtin continues to act to this day, with her most recent projects being 2023’s sci-fi movieJules,and an episode of the comedy series,Bupkis.Ultimately, her return inSaturday Night,along with the rest of the original cast, is a welcome gift for modern audiences.
Saturday Night
Cast
Saturday Night (2024) is a forthcoming film with an undisclosed director. The movie centers on the vibrant nightlife of a bustling city, capturing the intertwining lives and stories of a diverse ensemble cast navigating personal and social challenges over the course of a single evening.
