Posted on 10/15/2005 5:42:53 PM PDT by raccoonradio
Actor Charles Rocket committed suicide Oct. 7 in Connecticut. He was 56.
Rocket was the Weekend Update anchor on "Saturday Night Live" in 1980 and 1981, and was fired from the show after saying "f---" on the air. He went on to make numerous appearances on TV shows and in features.
Born Charles Claverie in Bangor, Maine, he attended the Rhode Island School of Design. He was active in the burgeoning RISD arts scene, where he formed the band the Fabulous Motels and then became a newscaster under the name Charles Kennedy. He worked on newscasts in Colorado Springs and Nashville before landing much more irreverent SNL gig, where he also performed his own "Rocket Reports" skits.
Rocket appeared in feature films including "Earth Girls are Easy," "Dances with Wolves," "It's Pat" and "Dumb and Dumber." His last film role was in the 2003 Sylvester StalloneSylvester Stallone film "Shade." On TV, he appeared on shows including "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Cybill," "Touched by an Angel" and "thirtysomething."
Rocket played accordion in many bands, performing (with Debbie Harry and Chris Stein of Blondie) on a tribute album to Fellini composer Nino Rota.
He is survived by his wife, Beth and a son.
You can buy it on ebay for $2.67
Bummer. Whatever character he played, he always seemed to be the part.
oops, I mean who _shot_ JR. JR was shot but not killed in the series.
Those were dark days for SNL. It was just an awlful show after Gilda RAdner and the others left in 1980.
Hate to hear that. I lost interest after the original cast went their separate ways, but caught a few with Rocket. Wonder what makes things so hopeless for one to kill themselves? God bless his family.
RIP, Charles Rocket. Sorry you felt you had no other choices.
That's sad. I don't recognize the name, but I recognize the face. Every few months, I'll watch a few minutes of SNL and remember why I don't watch anymore. At the time I thought it was in decline, but I really don't think it's been good since Phil Hartman or Mike Meyers.
"RIP, Charles Rocket. Sorry you felt you had no other choices."
Dittos to that!
"Actor Charles Rocket committed suicide Oct. 7 in Connecticut. He was 56."
Permanent solution for a temporary problem.
"Permanent solution for a temporary problem."
...
After 56 years of life and he still didn't figure out that EVERY DAY is a test from God. Life, it happens. You either get it or you don't.
He'll be back.
The entire original cast left and most of the writers after Michael O'Donahue left. New producer Jean Doumanian had a totally empty show. She had never been part of the creative side. She basically just handled the guest stars. She was completely out of her depth.
She goes down in entertainment history as the person who was more impressed with the star potential of Charles Rocket (whom she put in the Chevy Chase position) than with an unknown cast member named Eddie Murphy.
I'm don't really understand a person who kills themselves, but I really don't understand those who choose odd or messy or painful ways to do it. Like slit your own throat. Seems like there would be an easier/faster way.
susie
The 1980-1981 Season was a Trainwreck, when Jean Doumanian, Woody Allen's Producer, replaced Lorne Michaels. The best part about that season was Gilbert Gottfried's inclusion in the cast.
Jean Doumanian: A women too crazy for even Woody Allen.
I'm still amazed that Hemingway chose the Shotgun route. That must of been 5 seconds of pure hell.
Anyone have a PICTURE of Charles Rocket?
In this day and age, it seems to me that there are very easy ways to get it done. Morbid to think about, I suppose, but it's what usually strikes me when I read about someone doing it.
susie
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