Jan Hooks

Jan Hooks was an actress best known for her five years a a cast member of NBC's iconic sketch-comedy show Saturday Night Live.

Born in Decatur, Georgia, Hooks attended the University of West Florida, in Pansacola, before pursuing an acting career. Live stage work, small TV roles and a stint with the renowned L.A. improv troupe the Groundlings led to a part in the 1985 movie Pee-wee's Big Adventure. Not long afterward, she was tapped for SNL.

She joined the show in 1987 and remained until 1991. Her castmates during that time included Nora Dunn, Phil Hartman, Dana Carvey, Dennis Miller and Jon Lovitz. During her tenure she did impressions of numerous public figures, including Hillary Rodham Clinton, Nancy Reagan, Kathie Lee Gifford, Tammy Faye Bakker and Shirley MacLaine. She was also known for the character Candy Sweeney, a lounge singer who performed with her sister, Liz, played by Dunn.

After leaving SNL she continued to work in film and TV. Her movies included Batman Returns, Coneheads, WIldcats, Simon Birch and Jiminy Glick in Lalawood.

On TV, Hooks spent two years on the CBS comedy Designing Women and two years on the NBC comedy 3rd Rock from the Sun. For the latter, she received an Emmy nomination in 1998.

Her other television credits included The Dana Carvey Show, The Martin Short Show, Providence, Hiller and Diller and 30 Rock. She also contributed voices to Futurama and The Simpsons.

Hooks died October 9, 2014, in New York City. She was 57.