History Creator / DanitraVance

Vance, who was a cast member on the show for its 11th season[[note]]which, like season six, wasn't well-liked, but unlike season six, had slightly better writing. The fault lay within its cast, who weren't that well-versed in comedy[[/note]] was the show's first African-American female cast member who was part of the main cast (contrast with super-unknown cast member Creator/YvonneHudson from season six, who was only a feature player for Jean Doumanian's cast in 1980), as well as the first lesbian of color,[[note]]another one wouldn't come until 35 years later, with stand-up comic Punkie Johnson joining the season 46 cast[[/note]] the second LGBTQ+ cast member to be a lesbian (after Denny Dillon),[[note]]as well as the third overall, joining Dillon and fellow cast member Terry Sweeney. It should be noted that Sweeney and Vance being hired on the show was the first time the show had a gay man and a lesbian in the same cast and the first time it would be interracial, as Sweeney is a white male and Vance was a black woman[[/note]] the second black female cast member hired (after Yvonne Hudson) and the fifth overall,[[note]]joining Garrett Morris, Eddie Murphy, Yvonne Hudson, and fellow cast member at the time, Damon Wayans -- the same one who, along with his siblings, created FOX's ''In Living Color''[[/note]] and the only cast member who had a learning disability.[[note]]According to cast member Al Franken and the ''SNL'' version of the board game ''Trivial Pursuit'', Vance was dyslexic, which made it difficult for her to read and memorize lines, but with some quick ad-libbing and ability to recover from stumbling over her own words, hardly anyone noticed.[[/note]]

In spite of all of these milestones, Vance (much to her frustration), was relegated to roles that were considered stereotypical for black females: house slaves, unwed, welfare-dependent mothers,[[note]]one of which was a recurring character she did named Cabrini Green Jackson, a teen mom who acted as a motivational speaker of sorts for black girls in her position[[/note]] waitresses, and nurses. Vance did, on occasion, break from these roles (as seen when she played a struggling slum actress who acts out the balcony scene from ''Romeo and Juliet'' and [[SophisticatedAsHell breaks down the flowery language for inner city people]]. Vance herself was a classically-trained Shakespearean actress), but it wasn't enough to keep her on the show for more than a season (though, unlike most of the cast members at that time who were fired, Vance quit because she was sick of being underused and only put into stereotypical roles).

The years after she left ''SNL'' were a bit kinder to her. In 1986, she met playwright George C. Wolfe and appeared in his Off-Broadway plays ''The Colored Museum''[[note]]where she played Miss Pat, a stewardess on a slave ship outlining the bumpy ride that is African-American history, from slavery and the Jim Crow laws to the Civil Rights movement and its aftermath[[/note]] and, later in 1990, ''Spunk'', Wolfe's adaptation of several Zora Neale Hurston short stories. Vance’s work with Wolfe earned her both an NAACP Image Award as well as an Obie, and she also began to build a film career with both supporting roles (1988’s ''Sticky Fingers'', 1989’s ''The War of the Roses'', and 1991’s ''Hangin’ with the Homeboys'') as well as leading parts (opposite Ray Charles in 1989’s ''Limit Up'' and opposite Jodie Foster in 1991’s ''Little Man Tate'').

Sadly, in 1991, Vance was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. Despite a double mastectomy (which she turned into a one-woman show to show others that what she went through shouldn't be stigmatized), Vance died three years later at the age of 35, becoming ''Saturday Night Live'''s first (and so far, only) dead African-American cast member, the second female cast member to die after Creator/GildaRadner (as well as the only black female cast member who's dead[[note]]Unless word gets out on whatever happened to Yvonne Hudson, as Hudson was never seen or heard from after she was on ''Saturday Night Live''. It's widely assumed that Hudson is still alive, but has left show business for an anonymous life[[/note]]), and the first (and, so far, only) dead LGBTQ cast member.

Her partner was Jones Miller and, as already mentioned above, Vance was a lesbian, though this wasn't publicly known until after her death.

Vance, who was a cast member on the show for its 11th season[[note]]which, like season six, wasn't well-liked, but unlike season six, had slightly better writing. The fault lied within its cast, who weren't that well-versed in comedy[[/note]] was the show's first African-American female cast member who was part of the main cast (contrast with super-unknown cast member Creator/YvonneHudson from season six, who was only a feature player for Jean Doumanian's cast in 1980), as well as the first lesbian of color,[[note]]another one wouldn't come until 35 years later, with stand-up comic Punkie Johnson joining the season 46 cast[[/note]] the second LGBTQ+ cast member to be a lesbian (after Denny Dillon),[[note]]as well as the third overall, joining Dillon and fellow cast member, Terry Sweeney. It should be noted that Sweeney and Vance being hired on the show was the first time the show had a gay man and a lesbian in the same cast and the first time it would be interracial, as Sweeney is a white male and Vance was a black woman[[/note]] the second black female cast member hired (after Yvonne Hudson) and the fifth overall,[[note]]joining Garrett Morris, Eddie Murphy, Yvonne Hudson, and fellow cast member at the time, Damon Wayans -- the same one who, along with his siblings, created FOX's ''In Living Color''[[/note]] and the only cast member who had a learning disability.[[note]]According to cast member Al Franken and the ''SNL'' version of the board game ''Trivial Pursuit'', Vance was dyslexic, which made it difficult for her to read and memorize lines, but with some quick ad-libbing and ability to recover from stumbling over her own words, hardly anyone noticed[[/note]]

Sadly, in 1991, Vance was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. Despite a double masectomy (which she turned into a one-woman show to show others that what she went through shouldn't be stigmatized), Vance died three years later at the age of 35, becoming ''Saturday Night Live'''s first (and so far, only) dead African-American cast member, the second female cast member to die after Creator/GildaRadner (as well as the only black female cast member who's dead[[note]]unless word gets out on whatever happened to Yvonne Hudson, as Hudson was never seen or heard from after she was on ''Saturday Night Live''. It's widely assumed that Hudson is still alive, but has left show business for an anonymous life[[/note]]), and the first (and, so far, only) dead LGBTQ cast member.

Vance, who was a cast member on the show for its 11th season[[note]]which, like season six, wasn't well-liked, but unlike season six, had slightly better writing. The fault lied within its cast, who weren't that well-versed in comedy[[/note]] was the show's first African-American female cast member who was part of the main cast (contrast with super-unknown cast member Creator/YvonneHudson from season six, who was only a feature player for Jean Doumanian's cast in 1980), as well as the first lesbian of color,[[note]]another one wouldn't come until 35 years later, with stand-up comic Punkie Johnson joining the season 46 cast[[/note]] the second LGBTQ+ cast member to be a lesbian (after Denny Dillon),[[note]]as well as the third overall, joining Dillon and fellow cast member, Terry Sweeney. It should be noted that Sweeney and Vance being hired on the show was the first time the show had a gay man and a lesbian in the same cast and the first time it would be interracial, as Sweeney is a white male and Vance was a black woman[[/note]] the second black female cast member hired (after Yvonne Hudson) and the fifth overall,[[note]]joining Garrett Morris, Eddie Murphy, Yvonne Hudson, and fellow cast member at the time, Damon Wayans -- the same one who, along with his siblings, created FOX's ''In Living Color''[[/note]] and the only cast member who had a learning disability.[[note]]this, according to cast member, Al Franken, and the ''SNL'' version of the board game Trivial Pursuit: Vance was dyslexic, which made it difficult for her to read and memorize lines, but, with some quick ad-libbing and ability to recover from stumbling over her own words, hardly anyone noticed[[/note]]

Sadly, in 1991, Vance was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. Despite a double masectomy (which she turned into a one-woman show to show others that what she went through shouldn't be stigmatized), Vance died three years later at 35, becoming ''Saturday Night Live'''s first (and so far, only) dead African-American cast member, the second female cast member to die after Creator/GildaRadner (as well as the only black female cast member who's dead,[[note]]unless word gets out on whatever happened to Yvonne Hudson, as Hudson was never seen or heard from after she was on ''Saturday Night Live''. It's widely assumed that Hudson is still alive, but has left show business for an anonymous life[[/note]] and the first (and, so far, only) dead LGBTQ cast member.

Vance, who was a cast member on the show for its 11th season[[note]]which, like season six, wasn't well-liked, but unlike season six, had slightly better writing. The fault lied within its cast, who weren't that well-versed in comedy[[/note]] was the show's first African-American female cast member who was part of the main cast (contrast with super-unknown Creator/YvonneHudson from season six, who was only a feature player for Jean Doumanian's cast in 1980), as well as the first lesbian of color,[[note]]another one wouldn't come until 35 years later, with stand-up comic Punkie Johnson joining the season 46 cast[[/note]] the second LGBTQ+ cast member to be a lesbian (after Denny Dillon),[[note]]as well as the third overall, joining Dillon and fellow cast member, Terry Sweeney. It should be noted that Sweeney and Vance being hired on the show was the first time the show had a gay man and a lesbian in the same cast and the first time it would be interracial, as Sweeney is a white male and Vance was a black woman[[/note]] the second black female cast member hired (after Yvonne Hudson) and the fifth overall,[[note]]joining Garrett Morris, Eddie Murphy, Yvonne Hudson, and fellow cast member at the time, Damon Wayans -- the same one who, along with his siblings, created FOX's ''In Living Color''[[/note]] and the only cast member who had a learning disability.[[note]]this, according to cast member, Al Franken, and the ''SNL'' version of the board game Trivial Pursuit: Vance was dyslexic, which made it difficult for her to read and memorize lines, but, with some quick ad-libbing and ability to recover from stumbling over her own words, hardly anyone noticed[[/note]]

Sadly, in 1991, Vance was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. Despite a double masectomy (which she turned into a one-woman show to show others that what she went through shouldn't be stigmatized), Vance died three years later at 35, becoming ''Saturday Night Live'''s first (and so far, only) dead African-American cast member, the second female cast member to die after Creator/GildaRadner (as well as the only black female cast member who's dead,[[note]]unless word gets out on whatever happened to Yvonne Hudson, as Hudson was never seen or heard from after she was on ''Saturday Night Live''. It's widely assumed that Hudson is still alive, but has left show business for an anonymous life[[/note]] and the only dead LGBTQ cast member.

Danitra Vance (July 13, 1954-August 21, 1994) was an American comedian and actress best known for ''Series/SaturdayNightLive'' and ''Film/LimitUp''.

Vance, who was a cast member on the show for its 11th season[[note]]which, like season six, wasn't well-liked, but unlike season six, had slightly better writing. The fault lied within its cast, who weren't that well-versed in comedy[[/note]] was the show's first African-American female cast member who was part of the main cast (contrast with super-unknown Creator/YvonneHudson from season six, who was only a feature player for Jean Doumanian's cast in 1980), as well as the first lesbian of color[[note]]another one wouldn't come until 35 years later, with stand-up comic Punkie Johnson joining the season 46 cast[[/note]], the second LGBTQ+ cast member to be a lesbian (after Denny Dillon)[[note]]as well as the third overall, joining Dillon and fellow cast member, Terry Sweeney. It should be noted that Sweeney and Vance being hired on the show was the first time the show had a gay man and a lesbian in the same cast and the first time it would be interracial, as Sweeney is a white male and Vance was a black woman[[/note]], the second black female cast member hired (after Yvonne Hudson) and the fifth overall[[note]]joining Garrett Morris, Eddie Murphy, Yvonne Hudson, and fellow cast member at the time, Damon Wayans -- the same one who, along with his siblings, created FOX's ''In Living Color''[[/note]], and the only cast member who had a learning disability[[note]]this, according to cast member, Al Franken, and the ''SNL'' version of the board game Trivial Pursuit: Vance was dyslexic, which made it difficult for her to read and memorize lines, but, with some quick ad-libbing and ability to recover from stumbling over her own words, hardly anyone noticed[[/note]].

In spite of all of these milestones, Vance (much to her frustration), was relegated to roles that were considered stereotypical for black females: house slaves, unwed, welfare-dependent mothers[[note]]one of which was a recurring character she did named Cabrini Green Jackson, a teen mom who acted as a motivational speaker of sorts for black girls in her position[[/note]], waitresses, and nurses. Vance did, on occasion, break from these roles (as seen when she played a struggling slum actress who acts out the balcony scene from ''Romeo and Juliet'' and [[SophisticatedAsHell breaks down the flowery language for inner city people]]. Vance herself was a classically-trained Shakespearean actress), but it wasn't enough to keep her on the show for more than a season (though, unlike most of the cast members at that time who were fired, Vance quit because she was sick of being underused and only put into stereotypical roles).

Sadly, in 1991, Vance was diagnosed with advanced stage breast cancer. Despite a double masectomy (which she turned into a one-woman show to show others that what she went through shouldn't be stigmatized), Vance died three years later at 35, becoming ''Saturday Night Live'''s first (and so far, only) dead African-American cast member, the second female cast member to die after Creator/GildaRadner (as well as the only black female cast member who's dead[[note]]unless word gets out on whatever happened to Yvonne Hudson, as Hudson was never seen or heard from after she was on ''Saturday Night Live''. It's widely assumed that Hudson is still alive, but has left show business for an anonymous life[[/note]], and the only dead LGBTQ cast member.

Her partner was Jones Miller and Vance was a lesbian, though this wasn't publicly known until after her death.

!Film Roles

!Television Roles

* ''Series/GreatPerformancesTheColoredMuseum'' as Miss Pat/The Woman/Normal Jean Reynolds (1 episode)

Vance, who was a cast member on the show for its 11th season[[note]]which, like season six, wasn't well-liked, but unlike season six, had slightly better writing. The fault lied within its cast, who weren't that well-versed in comedy[[/note]] was the show's first African-American female cast member who was part of the main cast (contrast with super-unknown Creator/YvonneHudson from season six, who was only a feature player for Jean Doumanian's cast in 1980), as well as the first lesbian of color[[note]]another one wouldn't come until 35 years later, with stand-up comic Punkie Johnson joining the season 46 cast[[/note]], the second LGBTQ+ cast member to be a lesbian (after Denny Dillon)[[note]]as well as the third overall, joining Dillon and fellow cast member, Terry Sweeney. It should be noted that Sweeney and Vance being hired on the show was the [[/note]], the second black female cast member hired (after Yvonne Hudson) and the fifth overall[[note]]joining Garrett Morris, Eddie Murphy, Yvonne Hudson, and fellow cast member at the time, Damon Wayans -- the same one who, along with his siblings, created FOX's ''In Living Color''[[/note]], and the only cast member who had a learning disability[[note]]this, according to cast member, Al Franken, and the ''SNL'' version of the board game Trivial Pursuit: Vance was dyslexic, which made it difficult for her to read and memorize lines, but, with some quick ad-libbing and ability to recover from stumbling over her own words, hardly anyone noticed[[/note]].

Vance, who was a cast member on the show for its 11th season[[note]]which, like season six, wasn't well-liked, but unlike season six, had slightly better writing. The fault lied within its cast, who weren't that well-versed in comedy[[/note]] was the show's first African-American female cast member who was part of the main cast (contrast with super-unknown Yvonne Hudson from season six, who was only a feature player for Jean Doumanian's cast in 1980), as well as the first lesbian of color[[note]]another one wouldn't come until 35 years later, with stand-up comic Punkie Johnson joining the season 46 cast[[/note]], the second LGBTQ+ cast member to be a lesbian (after Denny Dillon)[[note]]as well as the third overall, joining Dillon and fellow cast member, Terry Sweeney. It should be noted that Sweeney and Vance being hired on the show was the [[/note]], the second black female cast member hired (after Yvonne Hudson) and the fifth overall[[note]]joining Garrett Morris, Eddie Murphy, Yvonne Hudson, and fellow cast member at the time, Damon Wayans -- the same one who, along with his siblings, created FOX's ''In Living Color''[[/note]], and the only cast member who had a learning disability[[note]]this, according to cast member, Al Franken, and the ''SNL'' version of the board game Trivial Pursuit: Vance was dyslexic, which made it difficult for her to read and memorize lines, but, with some quick ad-libbing and ability to recover from stumbling over her own words, hardly anyone noticed[[/note]].

Vance, who was a cast member on the show for its 11th season[[note]]which, like season six, wasn't well-liked, but unlike season six, had slightly better writing. The fault lied within its cast, who weren't that well-versed in comedy[[/note]] was the show's first African-American female cast member who was part of the main cast (contrast with super-unknown Yvonne Hudson from season six, who was only a feature player for Jean Doumanian's cast in 1980), as well as the first lesbian of color[[note]]another one wouldn't come until 35 years later, with stand-up comic Punkie Johnson joining the season 46 cast[[/note]], the second LGBTQ+ cast member to be a lesbian (after Denny Dillon)[[note]]as well as the third overall, joining Dillon and fellow cast member, Terry Sweeney. It should be noted that Sweeney and Vance being hired on the show was the [[/note]], the second black female cast member hired (after Yvonne Hudson) and the fourth overall[[note]]joining Garrett Morris, Eddie Murphy, and Hudson[[/note]], and the only cast member who had a learning disability[[note]]this, according to cast member, Al Franken, and the ''SNL'' version of the board game Trivial Pursuit: Vance was dyslexic, which made it difficult for her to read and memorize lines, but, with some quick ad-libbing and ability to recover from stumbling over her own words, hardly anyone noticed[[/note]].

Vance died in 1994 at age 40 from breast cancer.