Ex-'SNL' player Charles Rocket a suicide

[HARD ROCK UNIVERSE]

FARMINGTON, Connecticut (AP) -- Charles Rocket, a comedian and actor who appeared on "Saturday Night Live" and had roles in a variety of movies and television series, committed suicide, the state medical examiner has ruled.

Rocket, 56, whose real name was Charles Claverie, was found dead in a field near his home in Canterbury on October 7. His throat had been cut, the medical examiner said.

"An investigation determined there was no criminal aspect to this case," State Police Sgt. J. Paul Vance said Monday.

Rocket was a cast member on NBC's "Saturday Night Live" during the 1980-81 season, a tumultuous year that followed the departure of the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players" and founding producer Lorne Michaels. Rocket gained notoriety when he was fired from "SNL" for swearing on the air.

He went on to appear in numerous TV shows, including "Moonlighting" and "Max Headroom," and provided voices for cartoon series.

His movie credits included "Earth Girls are Easy," "Dumb and Dumber" and "Dances With Wolves," according to the Internet Movie Database.

[Equinox]

I always felt kind of bad for that first bunch that replaced the originals on SNL.

[hifi]

illusion said:

I always felt kind of bad for that first bunch that replaced the originals on SNL.

How true! Except for Eddie Murphy ...

I remember seeing that first SNL in 1980 with the new cast. Boy was that disapppointing. I thought it was awful. The Eddie Murphy guy seemed to be the only vaguely funny one.

Charles Rocket ... I remember the name but not anything he did on the show.

Actually I never really could bring myself to watch SNL again after the original cast left. I've tried, but it's just never been the same ... Sorry! I can't even recall the last time I attempted watching a new one. Well, it conflicts with VH-1 Classic Metal Mania anyway ... LOL

[Jesse]

illusion said:

I always felt kind of bad for that first bunch that replaced the originals on SNL.

Yeah, if you recall, the last year of the original cast was not very good. Belushi was gone, and I think Ackroyd was only there half the season. Eddie Murphy, Joe Piscapo, Robin Duke, etc breathed new life into a dying show.

I vaguely recall Charles Rocket, only because of his cursing on air episode. Still don't really remember what he looks like.

[rikki]

90% of SNL sketches are just stupid.

[Jesse]

rikki said:

90% of SNL sketches are just stupid.

Yeah, but that is often the point. Especially during the early years. I recal a sketch with Steve Martin and Bill Murray where the whole sketch is them just looking at the camera and saying, "What the HELL is that?". Stupid, but memorable and it still makes me chuckle.

[Equinox]

jesse said:

rikki said:

90% of SNL sketches are just stupid.

Yeah, but that is often the point. Especially during the early years. I recal a sketch with Steve Martin and Bill Murray where the whole sketch is them just looking at the camera and saying, "What the HELL is that?". Stupid, but memorable and it still makes me chuckle.

I know what that is.........

What the heck is that?

Hey Martin and Ackroyd and two Czech playboys was stupid too! But I loved it.

I was a teenager out getting stoned with my friends on Saturday night. Coming home to these guys was great!