Awaiting the Call After

Awaiting the call after ‘Saturday Night’ From Chase, Aykroyd, and Belushi to Sandler, Ferrell, and now Tracy Morgan, who’s starring in his own show Tuesday nights on NBC, “Saturday Night Live” has long been a launching pad for its men. But its women, who’ve been outnumbered in the cast more than 2-1 over the show’s 28 years, haven’t found nearly the same sort of fame or wealth of opportunity. Here’s a look at three graduates of recent vintage and an update on a selection of other alumnae. — MICHAEL PRAGER Gasteyer laughs it up with David Spade in an episode of “Just Shoot Me.” Shannon (left) plays a mom in “Cracking Up,” coming soon to Fox. Oteri portrays a television reporter in “Scary Movie.” ANA GASTEYER, 1996-2002 MOLLY SHANNON, 1994-2001 CHERI OTERI, 1995-2000 Notable: Played Rose Mary Woods in “Dick,” a 1999 film in which two girls wander from a Notable: “Superstar,” 1999; played Hal’s mother in “Shallow Hal,” 2001. Notable: “Scary Movie,” 2000; “Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd,” 2003. White House tour and meet President Nixon. Most recently/upcoming: She has the lead in “Cracking Up,” a sitcom that Fox is preparing Most recently/upcoming: Has completed filming on two independent films not yet Most recently/upcoming: Secondary roles in Disney’s “Raising Helen,” and Paramount’s for debut in March or April. released: “Surviving Eden,” a reality-TV spoof starring Peter Dinklage, and “Smile.” “Mean Girls”; opens Jan. 30 in “Roulette” at the Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York City. JANEANE GAROFALO, 1994-95 VICTORIA JACKSON, 1986-92 JOAN CUSACK, 1985-86 MARY GROSS, 1981-85 Notable: “The Truth About Cats and Dogs,” Notable: “The Pick-up Artist,” 1987. Notable: Many film highlights, including Notable: Co-lead in “Feds,” 1988. 1996; political activism that seems to Most recently: Has a recurring role on “Broadcast News,” 1987; “Working Girl,” Most recently: Guest spots on “According particularly rankle conservatives. the Nickelodeon show “Romeo!.” Tours as a 1988; and “The School of Rock,” 2003; and to Jim,” “A Minute With Stan Hooper.” Most recently/upcoming: Completed stand-up comedian. Is happy to discuss her “What About Joan,” a failed 2001 sitcom. CHRISTINE EBERSOLE, 1981-82 work on “Stay,” starring Naomi Watts and Christian upbringing and outlook. Most recently/upcoming: “Raising Notable: Won the 2001 Actress in a Ewan McGregor, and is writing a book. JAN HOOKS, 1986-91 Helen,” a Disney film directed by Garry Musical Tony for “42nd Street” revival. Once SARAH SILVERMAN, 1993-94 Notable: “Designing Women,” 1991-93 Marshall. nominated for Daytime Emmy as well, for Notable: An infamous appearance on “Late Most recently/upcoming: Completed PAMELA STEPHENSON, 1984-85 “One Life To Live.” Night with Conan O’Brien” (2001) that work on “Lalawood,” a film in which the Notable: Wrote a well-received biography Most recently: Spent the summer in angered Asian-Americans; a small role in Martin Short character Jiminy Glick gets of actor Billy Connolly, her husband since “Talking Heads” on Broadway. “There’s Something About Mary,” 1998. caught up in murder at the Toronto Film 1989; they have three children. Has a DENNY DILLON, 1980-81 Most recently: “The School of Rock,” From left: Ellen Cleghorne; Victoria Jackson in costume for her role in Festival. No release date set. doctorate in psychology. Notable: Tony nomination for “My One and 2003; “Crank Yankers” on Comedy Central. “Romeo!”; and Julia Sweeney in a scene from “In the Family Way.” NORA DUNN, 1985-90 Most recently: Retired from acting. Only,” 1983; “Dream On,” HBO, 1990-96. ELLEN CLEGHORNE, 1991-95 Notable: “Three Kings,” 1999; “Runaway JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS, 1982-85 Most recently: Hoping to perform in “8 Notable: “Cleghorne!” a 1995 sitcom that JULIA SWEENEY, 1990-94 Most recently: “In the Family Way,” a Jury,” 2003 Notable: “Seinfeld,” 1990-98 by Tenn,” plays by Tennessee Williams, on didn’t make it; “Armageddon,” 1998. Notable: “God Said Ha!,” her successful one-woman show about her adoption of a Most recently/upcoming: “The Hebrew Most recently: “Watching Ellie,” a sitcom Broadway after concluding a run at Hartford Most recently/upcoming: Touring on stage show about cancers that struck her Chinese girl that played off-Broadway and in Hammer,” 2003; Has finished work on “Laws for NBC that lasted less than a season. Stage . comedy circuit; “Full Clip,” a Lion’s Gate film brother, fatally, and her. It was made into a Los Angeles. She’s also writing a drama pilot of Attraction,” a New Line feature starring She’s awaiting “other possibilities,” a with Busta Rhymes not set for release. film in 1998. for ABC and a sitcom for NBC. Pierce Brosnan and Julianne Moore. representative said..

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