What age did Jan Hooks die?

We lost a true comedic gem when Jan Hooks passed away on October 9, 2014. At just 57 years old, the actress and comedian, forever etched in our minds for her brilliant work on “Saturday Night Live,” left us far too soon.

Born Janet Vivian Hooks in Decatur, Georgia, on April 23, 1957, she wasn’t just funny; she was versatile. Remember her spot-on impressions and those quirky characters she brought to life? She had a knack for making you laugh until your sides hurt.

The cause of her death? Throat cancer. A cruel twist, considering her talent for voices. What’s even more heartbreaking is that she’d battled leukemia since 2009, achieving remission after treatment. But life, as it often does, threw another curveball. In April 2014, doctors found a tumor on her throat. It was cancer. Despite fighting with everything she had at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, the chemotherapy just didn’t work. The medical team suggested a total laryngectomy, a procedure that would have changed her life forever, but Jan declined. Instead, she chose to spend her final days in hospice care, focusing on managing her pain and finding peace.

The entertainment world mourned, and tributes poured in. The Simpsons, where she lent her voice to Manjula Nahasapeemapetilon, honored her in the credits of “Super Franchise Me.” And Saturday Night Live gave us a bittersweet moment by re-airing “Love Is a Dream,” a short film from 1987 where she sparkled alongside the late, great Phil Hartman. It was a reminder of the joy she brought to so many, a testament to a talent that will continue to inspire.