Actress, comedian and former SNL star Jan Hooks dies at age 57

Some shocking and sad news from the entertainment world as it is being reported that actress and former Saturday Night Live cast member Jan Hooks has died at the age of 57.

According to TMZ, Jan had been battling a “serious illness” and passed away earlier this morning. There are no further details at this time.

Jan Hooks’ stint on SNL lasted from 1986-1991, and after that she landed memorable roles on Designing Women, Pee Wee’s Big Adventure, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and most recently as Jenna’s hilariously terrible mom, Verna, on 30 Rock.

I thought I would share a couple of Jan Hooks clips from Saturday Night Live, including the one that immediately came to my mind in which she portrayed Tammy Faye Bakker on Church Chat alongside Phil Hartman:

And here’s Jan as an Aaron Sorkinesque fast-talkin’ diner waitress with a flair for innuendo with former boyfriend Kevin Nealon, Phil Hartman again, and future 30 Rock co-star Alec Baldwin as the sexy cowboy:

R.I.P. Jan.