Gilda's Story

The world knew her as Roseann Roseannadanna, Emily Litella and Lisa Loopner. We remember her for the phrases she created with writer Alan Zweibel such as "Never mind!" and "It's always something". As one of the "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" featured in the original cast of the groundbreaking Saturday Night Live, Gilda Radner charmed us and made us laugh. But not everyone knew she played another role, a part she called "The Invisible Cancer Woman" in the saga of 'The Adventures of the Independent Baldheaded Chemo Patient'. She wrote about this and other experiences living with cancer in her book, "It's Always Something."

Gilda was diagnosed with ovarian cancer on October 21, 1986 and died at the age of 42 on May 20, 1989. Her legacy is the pantheon of her comedic characters, her films with her husband Gene Wilder and her work on Broadway including 'Gilda Radner Live From New York'. Another lasting gift is her inspiration for Gilda's Club, a free cancer support community. Gilda was part of a cancer support community after her diagnosis and her dream was that anyone dealing with cancer would be able to receive the kind of support she found there. Following her death, Gene Wilder and Joanna Bull, her cancer psychotherapist, started Gilda's Club. The first Gilda's Club opened in New York City in June 1995.