Gilda Radner created the catchphrase, “It’s always something,” during her time on Saturday Night Live. June 28th, 2026, marks what would have been Gilda Radner’s 80th birthday. Her legacy lives on in so many ways, inspiring generations with her comedy. But her story also led to the creation of Gilda’s Club, something that has impacted countless families touched by cancer across the globe.
To celebrate what would have been her 80th birthday, we want to take a moment to honor that legacy.
A comedy legend
Gilda Radner became iconic the moment she walked onto the Saturday Night Live stage. As part of the original SNL cast, people knew her for her characters of Roseanne Roseannadanna, Emily Loopner, and Baba Wawa. She won an Emmy Award for her SNL performances in 1978, and, in 1979, she had a successful one-woman Broadway show. After SNL, she pursued a film career, including acting alongside her future husband, Gene Wilder.
On October 21, 1986, Gilda heard those words no one wants to hear- “You have cancer.” She received a Stage IV ovarian cancer diagnosis. She went through surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.
“Delicious Ambiguity”
During her cancer journey, Gilda visited The Wellness Community in California, the first walk-in community facility of its kind, offering free, professionally led support to those affected by cancer. Through her own experience with The Wellness Community, Gilda came to believe that emotional support should be available to everyone facing cancer, not just those living on the West Coast.
After being told she was in remission, she wrote her autobiography, “It’s Always Something.” In her autobiography, she shared the wise words, “Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Like my life, this book has ambiguity. Like my life, this book is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious ambiguity.”
So no one faces cancer alone
Sadly, Gilda’s cancer returned, and she passed away on May 20, 1989 with her husband, Gene Wilder at her side.
Gilda said, “Having cancer gave me membership in an elite club that I’d rather not belong to.” Inspired by her cancer journey, Gene Wilder and Gilda’s psychotherapist, Joanna Bull, founded Gilda’s Club. What started out as one location in New York City expanded into clubs across the country, including ours in Wisconsin.
From the beginning, Gilda’s Club was created to be a welcoming, home-like place where people impacted by cancer could come for connection, understanding, and professionally led support. Today, Gilda’s Club and Cancer Support Community network partners serve communities across the country and around the world.
Gilda’s Impact on Gilda’s Club Wisconsin
Peggy Lucas, one of the early founders of Gilda’s Club Wisconsin, shares, “Quite simply, she is the reason I got involved with Gilda’s Club.” Her legacy isn’t just a global one; she’s had a local footprint as well.
On what would have been Gilda’s 80th birthday, we honor her legacy, both in making people laugh and in touching hearts across the globe. Because of her, no one has to face cancer alone.
Please share your favorite Gilda Radner memories or simply share the impact that she has had on your life in the comments below.