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SNL Hosts who have Murdered & Those who have died: A look at the Darker side of the show’s History
During the 50th anniversary special of Saturday Night Live, comedian John Mulaney cracked a darkly humorous joke, revealing that out of the 894 hosts the iconic sketch show has had, only two have "committed murder." So, who are these personalities? In this article, we will reveal that as well as find out which SNL hosts have passed away.
Which 2 SNL Hosts have Committed Murder?
While John Mulaney did not directly name names, it was clear he was referring to O.J. Simpson and Robert Blake in his joke—two of the most infamous figures to ever host the show.
Simpson, who hosted SNL in 1978, was infamously acquitted in 1995 for the murders of his ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and her friend Ron Goldman, a trial that captivated the nation.
Despite being found not guilty in criminal court, Simpson was later held liable in a civil suit for the deaths, with a jury ordering him to pay $33.5 million in damages. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 76.
Blake, who hosted SNL in 1982, was involved in a high-profile case as well. He was charged but acquitted in the 2001 shooting death of his wife, Bonny Lee Bakley. Although he faced a criminal trial and was found not guilty, Blake was found liable in a civil suit for her wrongful death. He died in 2023 at 89.
Other SNL Hosts who have been Involved in Murder cases
In the midst of these shocking moments, SNL’s relationship with its hosts has been marked by scandal, especially with Alec Baldwin, who holds the record for the most SNL hosting appearances (17). Baldwin was charged with involuntary manslaughter after the tragic fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Rust in 2021.
However, the case was dismissed in 2023 after a judge found that key evidence had not been disclosed. Baldwin has since filed a civil lawsuit against prosecutors and investigators involved in the case.
While these cases have garnered the most attention, other notable hosts have faced their own share of controversy. Robert Wagner, who hosted SNL in 1989, has long been rumored to be involved in the 1981 drowning death of his wife, actress Natalie Wood.
Although never formally charged, the speculation surrounding Wagner has lingered for decades, especially after Wood’s sister, Lana Wood, publicly accused him of being responsible for the tragedy.
SNL Hosts who have Passed away
Beyond the controversies of its hosts, SNL has also mourned the loss of several of its cast members, leaving behind lasting legacies.
- John Belushi- a founding cast member, tragically died of a drug overdose in 1982.
- Gilda Radner- beloved for her comedic genius, passed away from ovarian cancer in 1989.
- Phil Hartman- killed by his wife in 1998
- George Coe- Coe died at 86 after battling a number illnesses, including lymphoma
- Tom Davis- died in 2012 at the age of 59
- Chris Farley- died from a drug overdose in 1997
- Peter Aykroyd- In 2021, at the age of 65, Peter died of complications from an untreated abdominal hernia
- Gilbert Gottfried- died when he was 67 years old
- Jan Hooks- died at the age of 57 after a prolonged battled with cancer
- Norm Macdonald- Macdonald died in September 2021, at age 61, after a battle with cancer
- Michael O’Donoghue- died from a cerebral hemorrhage in 1995 at age 54
- Charles Rocket- In 2005, at 56, Rocket died by suicide
- Tony Rosato- He died in 2017, at 62, from a heart attack at his home
- Danitra Vance- died of breast cancer at 40 years old in 1994
- Dan Vitale- died in May 2022 at 66 years old
- Don Pardo- died in 2014, at the age of 96
As SNL celebrates its 50th anniversary, it continues to reflect on both its comedic triumphs and the darker, more complicated legacies of those who have graced its stage. With a history marked by both tragedy and controversy, the show remains a cultural touchstone, bringing laughter—and sometimes a little darkness—into American homes for decades.
The SNL 50th Anniversary Special is available to watch live on NBC or via streaming on Peacock. Don't miss out on this milestone event!
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