Former SNL; Designing Women Star Jan Hooks Dead at 57

NEW YORK, NY (CBS SF) – Former Saturday Night Live comedienne Jan Hooks died Thursday, October 9th from unknown causes, reports NBC News.

The Decatur, Georgia born comedienne made her start in Los Angeles as part of the improv troupe "The Groundlings" in the late 70's. In 1986, Lorne Michaels offered Hooks a spot on SNL along with Phil Hartman, Mike Myers and Bay Area resident, Dana Carvey.

Hooks was best known for her wildly exaggerated characters on SNL. Her characters included Hillary Clinton, Tammy Faye Bakker, Kathie Lee Gifford, Sinéad O'Connor and along with Nora Dunn, Hooks played "Candy Sweeney" of "The Sweeney Sisters."

In 1991, Hooks was invited to join the cast of CBS' Designing Women by show creator Linda Bloodworth-Thomason. She also made appearances on 3rd Rock from the Sun Providence and The Simpsons. Hooks' last television role was that of Jane Krakowski's (Jenna) mother Verna Maroney on 30 Rock.

Though Hooks was a staple on television, she also appeared in movies like Batman Returns, Pee-wee's Big Adventure and as "Dixie Glick" in "Jiminy Glick in Lalawood."

TMZ reports that Hooks was battling some type of serious illness before the news of her death.

Stars Who Paid Tribute To The Late Comedienne Through Social Media:

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