The Not Ready For Prime Time Players: Where The Original Saturday Night Live Cast Is Now (2025 Update)
As of late 2025, the foundational cast of one of television’s most enduring institutions, Saturday Night Live (SNL), continues to shape the landscape of comedy and entertainment, nearly five decades after their debut. Known collectively as the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players," this trailblazing ensemble launched a cultural phenomenon on October 11, 1975, transforming late-night television and turning a group of unknowns into comedy legends overnight.
The original seven cast members—Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Gilda Radner—created a revolutionary, counter-cultural brand of sketch comedy that remains the gold standard. With the show’s highly anticipated 50th Anniversary Special, SNL50, set to air in February 2025, the legacy and current activities of these pioneering comedians are more relevant than ever.
The Seven Original Not Ready for Prime Time Players: A Complete Biography
The first cast of Saturday Night Live was a volatile, brilliant mix of improvisational talent hand-picked by creator Lorne Michaels. Their collective genius defined the show's early, chaotic years. Below is the complete biographical profile for the original seven, including their birth and death information.
- Dan Aykroyd: Born July 1, 1952, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
- John Belushi: Born January 24, 1949, in Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Died March 5, 1982, in Los Angeles, California.
- Chevy Chase: Born Cornelius Crane Chase on October 8, 1943, in Woodstock, New York, U.S.
- Jane Curtin: Born Jane Therese Curtin on September 6, 1947, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
- Garrett Morris: Born February 1, 1937, in New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
- Laraine Newman: Born March 2, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Gilda Radner: Born June 28, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Died May 20, 1989, in Los Angeles, California.
This initial group set the template for all future SNL casts, proving that a mix of strong character actors, political satirists, and physical comedians could captivate a national audience. Their influence is immeasurable, paving the way for countless comedy stars who followed.
The Living Legends: Current Projects and Recent Milestones (2024-2025)
While two of the original seven were lost far too soon, the five surviving members remain active in film, television, and comedy, with several notable milestones achieved in 2024 and 2025, demonstrating the enduring power of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" brand.
Dan Aykroyd: Ghostbusters, Blues Brothers, and the Paranormal
Dan Aykroyd has maintained one of the most successful and varied careers among the original cast, continually revisiting his most iconic roles. In 2024, he reprised his beloved role as Dr. Ray Stantz in the film Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, proving his continued commitment to the franchise he co-created.
Beyond the supernatural, Aykroyd is also keeping the spirit of his other legendary SNL creation alive. He is actively involved in the Blues Brothers legacy, with plans for a potential Broadway musical and headlining the Blues Brothers Con 2024 alongside Jim Belushi.
Aykroyd has also embraced his passion for the unexplained, with the second season of his documentary series, The Unbelievable with Dan Aykroyd, returning to television in late 2024, showcasing his unique blend of comedy and curiosity.
Jane Curtin and Chevy Chase: The Return to the Weekend Update Desk
Jane Curtin, known for her groundbreaking work as the first female co-anchor of "Weekend Update," remains a respected figure in the industry. Her sharp, deadpan delivery and political wit set the standard for the segment that has become an SNL staple.
Curtin is confirmed to be an integral part of the highly anticipated SNL 50th Anniversary Special, which is scheduled to air on Sunday, February 16, 2025, on NBC and Peacock. This appearance is a major event for fans, who cherish her return to the show's hallowed halls.
Chevy Chase, who was the breakout star of the first season and the first to utter the iconic phrase, "Live from New York, it's Saturday Night," has also been active. In 2023 and 2024, Chase continued his acting career with roles in films such as the animated movie Glisten and the Merry Mission (2023) and The Christmas Letter (2024). His early, explosive departure from the show in its second season remains one of the most talked-about moments in SNL history.
Garrett Morris and Laraine Newman: Triumphs and Animation
Garrett Morris, the first Black cast member of SNL, has received significant recognition for his decades-long career. In a major milestone in February 2024, Morris was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of Television, celebrating his immense contributions to comedy.
The veteran comedian also received the Hollywood Legacy Award at the 2024 American Black Film Festival Honors, a testament to his enduring influence and resilience. Morris, who is set to turn 88 in February 2025, continues to be a celebrated figure.
Laraine Newman, a founding member of the influential comedy troupe The Groundlings before SNL, has transitioned her career into a highly successful voice-acting powerhouse. Her current work is predominantly in animation, which she has stated she loves for the creative freedom it offers.
Newman is set to host the Hollywood, Health & Society's 2024 Sentinel Awards and has a new animated project, an adaptation of the fantasy novel The Sisters Grimm, which is slated to begin streaming in October 2025.
The Enduring Legacy of Belushi and Radner
The impact of John Belushi and Gilda Radner, who both passed away prematurely, continues to be felt across the entire entertainment industry. Their performances are often cited by modern comedians as foundational to their own work, cementing their status as cultural icons and entities of comedy history.
John Belushi: The Wild Man’s Immortal Characters
John Belushi’s tenure on SNL was defined by a raw, anarchic energy that produced unforgettable characters like the Samurai Futaba, the "Cheeseburger, Cheeseburger" Greek diner owner, and his iconic role as Jake Blues in The Blues Brothers.
His tragic death in 1982 solidified his status as a comedy martyr, but his work remains timeless. The *Blues Brothers* franchise, which he co-founded with Dan Aykroyd, continues to be a global phenomenon, with the character and music legacy still generating new projects, including the aforementioned Broadway musical efforts.
Gilda Radner: Influence and Philanthropy
Gilda Radner was the undisputed heart of the original cast, known for her endearing, vulnerable, and hilarious characters such as Roseanne Roseannadanna and Emily Litella. She was the first cast member hired and her work has had a profound influence on generations of female comedians.
Her most significant legacy, however, is philanthropic. After her death from ovarian cancer in 1989, her husband, Gene Wilder, helped establish Gilda’s Club, a network of cancer support communities that provides social and emotional support to those living with cancer. The organization, now known as the Cancer Support Community, ensures that her spirit of humor and compassion continues to help thousands of people every year.
As Saturday Night Live approaches its 50th anniversary, the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" are not just a footnote in television history; they are a living, breathing testament to the power of original, boundary-pushing comedy. Their current work, from Dan Aykroyd’s ghost hunting to Garrett Morris’s Hollywood star, proves that the comedy revolution they started in 1975 is still in progress.
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