Gilda Radner posing during a sketch on "Saturday Night Live" in 1977.
Gilda Radner posing during a sketch on "Saturday Night Live" in 1977.
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Radner as a baby, pictured with her nanny Elizabeth Clementine "Dibby" Gillies, who served as the inspiration for the character Emily Litella.
Radner as a baby, pictured with her nanny Elizabeth Clementine "Dibby" Gillies, who served as the inspiration for the character Emily Litella.
Courtesy Gilda Radner Estate/CNN Films
Radner playing as a child.
Radner playing as a child.
Courtesy Gilda Radner Estate/CNN Films
Radner's mother put her on diet pills at a young age, and Radner would battle bulimia later on as an adult.
Radner's mother put her on diet pills at a young age, and Radner would battle bulimia later on as an adult.
Courtesy Gilda Radner Estate/CNN Films
Radner called herself "a child of comedy." Starting at a young age she loved to put on costumes, act in plays and perform.
Radner called herself "a child of comedy." Starting at a young age she loved to put on costumes, act in plays and perform.
Courtesy Gilda Radner Estate/CNN Films
Radner (right) pictured with friends while attending the University of Michigan.
Radner (right) pictured with friends while attending the University of Michigan.
Courtesy Gilda Radner Estate/CNN Films
Radner made her professional stage debut in the Toronto production of "Godspell" at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1972.
Radner made her professional stage debut in the Toronto production of "Godspell" at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in 1972.
Courtesy Gilda Radner Estate/CNN Films
Radner playing Belarusian gymnast Olga Korbut alongside John Belushi for a segment on "Weekend Update."
Radner playing Belarusian gymnast Olga Korbut alongside John Belushi for a segment on "Weekend Update."
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Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman and Radner on stage for the "Chevy's Girls" sketch during Season Two of "SNL."
Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman and Radner on stage for the "Chevy's Girls" sketch during Season Two of "SNL."
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Baba Wawa was Radner's impersonation of Barbara Walters, and she became a recurring character on SNL. Walters was initially not fond of the character and the way Radner pronounced her Rs, but she came to embrace the character and even the nickname it spawned for her.
Baba Wawa was Radner's impersonation of Barbara Walters, and she became a recurring character on SNL. Walters was initially not fond of the character and the way Radner pronounced her Rs, but she came to embrace the character and even the nickname it spawned for her.
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Radner and Steve Martin posing during the "Lovers" sketch in 1977.
Radner and Steve Martin posing during the "Lovers" sketch in 1977.
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Radner pictured in the "Looking for Mr. Goodbar Sleepytime Playset" sketch in 1978.
Radner pictured in the "Looking for Mr. Goodbar Sleepytime Playset" sketch in 1978.
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O.J. Simpson -- the second athlete to host "Saturday Night Live" -- posing with Radner and Curtin in 1978 during the show's third season.
O.J. Simpson -- the second athlete to host "Saturday Night Live" -- posing with Radner and Curtin in 1978 during the show's third season.
AP
Radner was part of a star-studded "SNL" cast, as evidenced by this set photo of Curtin, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Radner and Newman from 1978.
Radner was part of a star-studded "SNL" cast, as evidenced by this set photo of Curtin, Chevy Chase, Bill Murray, Radner and Newman from 1978.
Marty Lederhandler/AP
Radner playing Lisa Loopner in the "Nerd Prom" sketch alongside Buck Henry, Murray and Curtin.
Radner playing Lisa Loopner in the "Nerd Prom" sketch alongside Buck Henry, Murray and Curtin.
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Radner famously parodied punk singer Patti Smith with her character "Candy Slice."
Radner famously parodied punk singer Patti Smith with her character "Candy Slice."
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Roseanne Roseannadanna, the loud-mouthed consumer affairs reporter on "Weekend Update," was arguably Radner's most famous character.
Roseanne Roseannadanna, the loud-mouthed consumer affairs reporter on "Weekend Update," was arguably Radner's most famous character.
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Burt Reynolds playing the character Marty alongside Radner and Newman in the "Fan" sketch on "SNL" in 1980.
Burt Reynolds playing the character Marty alongside Radner and Newman in the "Fan" sketch on "SNL" in 1980.
NBC/Getty Images
Radner met her second husband, Gene Wilder, while filming the Sidney Poitier film "Hanky Panky" in 1982.
Radner met her second husband, Gene Wilder, while filming the Sidney Poitier film "Hanky Panky" in 1982.
Columbia Pictures
Wilder liked women who were interested in sports, so Radner took tennis lessons.
Wilder liked women who were interested in sports, so Radner took tennis lessons.
Courtesy Gilda Radner Estate/CNN Films
Wilder and Radner pictured with their dog, Sparkle.
Wilder and Radner pictured with their dog, Sparkle.
Courtesy Gilda Radner Estate/CNN Films
Radner being married off in a scene from "Movers & Shakers" in 1985.
Radner being married off in a scene from "Movers & Shakers" in 1985.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images
Even while undergoing treatment for cancer, Radner used comedy as a weapon against her disease.
Even while undergoing treatment for cancer, Radner used comedy as a weapon against her disease.
Courtesy Gilda Radner Estate/CNN Films
Gilda Radner's brother Michael attending a ceremony posthumously honoring her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
Gilda Radner's brother Michael attending a ceremony posthumously honoring her with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2003.
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