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{{short description|American actress and comedian}}
⚫
'''Ann Risley''' (born September 30, 1949) is an American actress and comedian. She was a cast member of the TV series ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' for the 12 episodes of the 1980–1981 season.<ref name=nytimes2019-12-14/> These 12 broadcasts were the first episodes after [[Television producer|producer]] [[Lorne Michaels]] left the show.
{{BLP sources|date=April 2022}}
⚫
'''Anna F. "Ann" Risley''' (born [[Madison, Wisconsin]]) is a retired American actress and comedian. She was a cast member of the TV series ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' for the 12 episodes of the 1980–1981 season.<ref name=nytimes2019-12-14/> These 12 broadcasts were the first episodes after [[Television producer|producer]] [[Lorne Michaels]] left the show.


==Life and career==
==Life and career==
Born '''Anna Risley''' in [[Madison, Wisconsin]], she was spotted by [[Woody Allen]] in a theatre production of his material and encouraged her to pursue an acting career in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1981/02/22/page/206/article/the-struggle-to-keep-saturday-night-live|title='The struggle to keep Saturday Night Live'|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Clifford Terry|date=February 22, 1981|page=31|accessdate=April 10, 2016}}</ref> Risley was cast in small parts in Allen's films ''[[Annie Hall]]'', ''[[Manhattan (film)|Manhattan]]'' and ''[[Stardust Memories]]''. Before joining the cast of ''Saturday Night Live'', she had a cameo on the show in 1976 as a psychiatrist's patient.<ref>[http://snltranscripts.jt.org/76/76gshrink.phtml "SNL Transcripts"], snltranscripts.jt.org; accessed June 11, 2017.</ref>
She was spotted by [[Woody Allen]] in a theatre production of his material and encouraged her to pursue an acting career in New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1981/02/22/page/206/article/the-struggle-to-keep-saturday-night-live|title='The struggle to keep Saturday Night Live'|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]|author=Clifford Terry|date=February 22, 1981|page=31|accessdate=April 10, 2016}}</ref> Risley was cast in small parts in Allen's films ''[[Annie Hall]]'', ''[[Manhattan (1979 film)|Manhattan]]'' and ''[[Stardust Memories]]''. Before joining the cast of ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'', she had a cameo on the show in 1976 as a psychiatrist's patient.<ref>[http://snltranscripts.jt.org/76/76gshrink.phtml "SNL Transcripts"], snltranscripts.jt.org; accessed June 11, 2017.</ref>


She was cast for ''Saturday Night Live'' by [[Jean Doumanian]], who had previously been the show's guest-booker, then associate producer. After 12 episodes, Doumanian was let go and replaced by [[Dick Ebersol]], who fired [[Gilbert Gottfried]], [[Charles Rocket]], and Risley from the cast before his first episode. In a 1999 article in ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'', Risley was quoted as saying her SNL experience was "horrible".<ref>{{cite journal|date=October 4, 1999|volume=52|issue=13|title=SketchArtists|work=People|first=Peter|last=Ames Carlin|first2=Tom|last2=Gliatto|first3=Sophfronia|last3=Scott Gregory|first4= Michael|last4=A. Lipton}}</ref>
She was cast for ''Saturday Night Live'' by [[Jean Doumanian]], who had previously been the show's guest-booker, then associate producer. After [[Saturday Night Live (season 6)|12 episodes]], Doumanian was replaced by [[Dick Ebersol]], who fired Risley along with [[Gilbert Gottfried]] and [[Charles Rocket]] before his first episode. In a 1999 article in ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'', Risley was quoted as saying her ''SNL'' experience was "horrible".<ref>{{cite journal|date=October 4, 1999|volume=52|issue=13|title=SketchArtists|journal=People|first1=Peter|last1=Ames Carlin|first2=Tom|last2=Gliatto|first3=Sophfronia|last3=Scott Gregory|first4= Michael|last4=A. Lipton}}</ref>


Prior to (and after) [[Saturday Night Live]], Risley had roles in nine feature films, including ''[[Honky Tonk Freeway]]'' and ''[[Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (film)|Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean]]''.
Prior to (and after) ''Saturday Night Live'', Risley had roles in nine feature films, including ''[[Honky Tonk Freeway]]'' and ''[[Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (film)|Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean]]''.


She appeared in starring roles in two television pilots (''Off Campus'' and ''Night After Night''), was a five-week guest star on the daytime soap ''[[The Doctors (soap opera)|The Doctors]]'', and appeared in five made-for-TV movies, including ''[[The Young Riders]]'' and ''Telling Secrets''. No longer a screen actor, Ann (who now goes by the name of Anna) continues to run her own acting/improv studio in [[Tucson, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.the-studio-for-actors.com |title=Professional Training, Classes, & Private Study in Tucson, Arizona |publisher=The Studio for Actors |accessdate=2017-06-11}}</ref>
She appeared in starring roles in two television pilots (''Off Campus'' and ''Night After Night''), was a five-week guest star on the daytime soap ''[[The Doctors (soap opera)|The Doctors]]'', and appeared in five made-for-TV movies, including ''[[The Young Riders]]'' and ''Telling Secrets''. After moving to [[Tucson, Arizona]], Risley ran an acting/improv studio called The Studio for Actors beginning in 1986.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20021128140701/http://www.the-studio-for-actors.com/ "The Studio for Actors"], https://web.archive.org/web/20021128140701/http://www.the-studio-for-actors.com/; accessed May 18, 2023.</ref>


==Celebrity impersonations on ''SNL''==
===Celebrity impersonations===
* [[Doria Palmieri]]
* Doria Reagan, wife of [[Ron Reagan]]
*[[Toni Tennille]]
*[[Toni Tennille]]
*[[Rosalynn Carter]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snlarchives.net/Episodes/?198011154 |title=Episodes &#124; 11.15.1980 #4 |publisher=SNL Archives |date=1980-11-15 |accessdate=2017-06-11}}</ref>
*[[Rosalynn Carter]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.snlarchives.net/Episodes/?198011154 |title=Episodes &#124; 11.15.1980 #4 |publisher=SNL Archives |date=1980-11-15 |accessdate=2017-06-11}}</ref>


==Feature film (speaking roles)==
==Feature film (speaking roles)==
*''[[Annie Hall]]'' as Susan (dir. by [[Woody Allen]]) (1977)
* 1977 ''[[Annie Hall]]'' as Susan (Directed by [[Woody Allen]])
*''[[Oliver's Story]]'' as Jane (dir. by [[John Korty]]) (1978)
* 1978 ''[[Oliver's Story]]'' as Jane (Directed by [[John Korty]])
*''[[Manhattan (film)|Manhattan]]'' as Mrs. Finch (dir. by Woody Allen) (1979)
* 1979 ''[[Manhattan (1979 film)|Manhattan]]'' as Mrs. Finch (Directed by Woody Allen)
*''[[Simon (1980 film)|Simon]]'' as Pam (dir. by [[Marshall Brickman]]) (1980)
* 1980 ''[[Simon (1980 film)|Simon]]'' as Pam (Directed by [[Marshall Brickman]])
*''[[Stardust Memories]]'' as Nurse (dir. by Woody Allen) (1980)
* 1980 ''[[Stardust Memories]]'' as Nurse (Directed by Woody Allen)
*''[[Honky Tonk Freeway]]'' as Patricia (dir. by [[John Schlesinger]]) (1981)
* 1981 ''[[Honky Tonk Freeway]]'' as Patricia (Directed by [[John Schlesinger]])
*''[[Rich and Famous (1981 film)|Rich and Famous]]'' as Merideth (dir. by [[George Cukor]]) (1981)
* 1981 ''[[Rich and Famous (1981 film)|Rich and Famous]]'' as Merideth (Directed by [[George Cukor]])
*''[[Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (film)|Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean]]'' as Martha (dir. by [[Robert Altman]]) (1982)
* 1982 ''[[Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (film)|Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean]]'' as Martha (Directed by [[Robert Altman]])
*''[[Desert Bloom (film)|Desert Bloom]]'' as Mrs. Muratore (dir. by [[Eugene Corr]]) (1986)
* 1986 ''[[Desert Bloom (film)|Desert Bloom]]'' as Mrs. Muratore (Directed by Eugene Corr)


==Television==
==Television==
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==Movies for television==
==Movies for television==
*''Telling Secrets''&nbsp;– Sally DeVries (with [[Cybill Shepherd]])&nbsp;– ABC miniseries (Scottsdale, AZ)
* 1990 ''[[El Diablo (1990 film)|El Diablo]]'' as Judith&nbsp;- HBO film (Tucson, AZ)
*''Four Eyes and Six-Guns''&nbsp;– Madame of Whore House (with [[Patricia Clarkson]])&nbsp;– TNT film (Tucson, AZ)
* 1992 ''Sunstroke'' as Woman In Office (with [[Jane Seymour (actress)|Jane Seymour]])&nbsp;- TNT film (Phoenix, AZ)
*''El Diablo''&nbsp;– Judith&nbsp;– HBO film (Tucson, AZ)
* 1992 ''[[Four Eyes and Six Guns]]'' as Saloon Hostess (with [[Patricia Clarkson]])&nbsp;– TNT film (Tucson, AZ)
* 1993 ''[[Telling Secrets]]'' as Sally DeVries (with [[Cybill Shepherd]])&nbsp;- ABC miniseries (Scottsdale, AZ)
*''Sunstroke''&nbsp;– Secretary&nbsp;– TNT film (Phoenix, AZ)


==Selected stage roles==
==Selected stage roles==
*''Come Back to the Five and Dime''&nbsp;– Martha (and substitute for lead actresses [[Karen Black]] and [[Sandy Dennis]]&nbsp;– Broadway (NYC)
*''Come Back to the Five and Dime''&nbsp;– Martha (and substitute for lead actresses [[Karen Black]] and [[Sandy Dennis]]&nbsp;– Broadway (NYC)
*''A Little Family Business''&nbsp;– role of Connie ([[Angela Lansbury]]'s daughter)&nbsp;– Ahmanson Theatre (L.A.) and Broadway (NYC)
*''A Little Family Business''&nbsp;– role of Connie ([[Angela Lansbury]]'s daughter)&nbsp;– Ahmanson Theatre (L.A.) and Broadway (NYC)
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*''Private Lives''&nbsp;– Amanda
*''Private Lives''&nbsp;– Amanda
*''The Owl and the Pussycat''&nbsp;– Doris
*''The Owl and the Pussycat''&nbsp;– Doris
*''Lovers (Winners)''&nbsp;– Maggie
*''Lovers (winners)''&nbsp;– Maggie
*''Same Time Next Year''&nbsp;– Doris
*''Same Time Next Year''&nbsp;– Doris


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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=nytimes2019-12-14>
<ref name=nytimes2019-12-14>
{{cite news
{{cite news
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/14/arts/television/SNL-history.html
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/12/14/arts/television/SNL-history.html
| title = The ‘S.N.L.’ Stars Who Lasted, and the Ones Who Flamed Out
| title = The 'S.N.L.' Stars Who Lasted, and the Ones Who Flamed Out
| work = [[The New York Times]]
| work = [[The New York Times]]
| author = Gus Wezerek
| author = Gus Wezerek
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==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.the-studio-for-actors.com The Studio For Actors]
*{{IMDb name|0728315}}
*{{IMDb name|0728315}}
*{{IBDB name|87474}}


{{authority control}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Risley, Ann}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Risley, Ann}}
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:Actors from Madison, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Actresses from Madison, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Actresses from Tucson, Arizona]]
[[Category:American women comedians]]
[[Category:American women comedians]]
[[Category:American sketch comedians]]
[[Category:American sketch comedians]]
[[Category:Comedians from Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Comedians from Madison, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:Comedians from Arizona]]
[[Category:21st-century American women]]
[[Category:Saturday Night Live cast members]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]

Latest revision as of 15:35, 17 January 2024

Anna F. "Ann" Risley (born Madison, Wisconsin) is a retired American actress and comedian. She was a cast member of the TV series Saturday Night Live for the 12 episodes of the 1980–1981 season.[1] These 12 broadcasts were the first episodes after producer Lorne Michaels left the show.

Life and career

[edit]

She was spotted by Woody Allen in a theatre production of his material and encouraged her to pursue an acting career in New York.[2] Risley was cast in small parts in Allen's films Annie Hall, Manhattan and Stardust Memories. Before joining the cast of Saturday Night Live, she had a cameo on the show in 1976 as a psychiatrist's patient.[3]

She was cast for Saturday Night Live by Jean Doumanian, who had previously been the show's guest-booker, then associate producer. After 12 episodes, Doumanian was replaced by Dick Ebersol, who fired Risley along with Gilbert Gottfried and Charles Rocket before his first episode. In a 1999 article in People, Risley was quoted as saying her SNL experience was "horrible".[4]

Prior to (and after) Saturday Night Live, Risley had roles in nine feature films, including Honky Tonk Freeway and Come Back to the Five and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean.

She appeared in starring roles in two television pilots (Off Campus and Night After Night), was a five-week guest star on the daytime soap The Doctors, and appeared in five made-for-TV movies, including The Young Riders and Telling Secrets. After moving to Tucson, Arizona, Risley ran an acting/improv studio called The Studio for Actors beginning in 1986.[5]

Celebrity impersonations

[edit]

Feature film (speaking roles)

[edit]

Television

[edit]
  • Saturday Night Live (one year) – Cast member – 1980-81 Season, NBC (N.Y.C.)
  • Off Campus (sitcom pilot) – Bonnie (starring role) – CBS (N.Y.C.)
  • Night After Night (sitcom pilot) – Anne (starring role) – MTM/CBS (L.A.)
  • The Doctors (soap, 5 wk guest star) – Hermione (with Alec Baldwin) – NBC (N.Y.C.)
  • The Young Riders (3 episodes) – Clerk/Wife (with Josh Brolin) – ABC series (Tucson, AZ)

Movies for television

[edit]

Selected stage roles

[edit]
  • Come Back to the Five and Dime – Martha (and substitute for lead actresses Karen Black and Sandy Dennis – Broadway (NYC)
  • A Little Family Business – role of Connie (Angela Lansbury's daughter) – Ahmanson Theatre (L.A.) and Broadway (NYC)
  • A History of the American Film – (substitute for all 4 female leads)  – Arena Stage (Wash. DC)
  • Uncommon Women – Rita-Huntington Theatre (Boston, Mass.)
  • Spoon River Anthology – 16 roles – San Francisco Tour (CA)
  • The Importance of Being Earnest – Cecily
  • Private Lives – Amanda
  • The Owl and the Pussycat – Doris
  • Lovers (winners) – Maggie
  • Same Time Next Year – Doris

Training

[edit]
  • BAI – University of Wisconsin – Theatre Communications
  • Various individual workshops in N.Y.C. and San Francisco[citation needed]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Gus Wezerek (2019-12-14). "The 'S.N.L.' Stars Who Lasted, and the Ones Who Flamed Out". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 2019-12-14. Retrieved 2019-12-16. Some of the names here will be familiar only to die-hard fans; others, like Murphy, defined what was funny for generations of viewers.
  2. ^ Clifford Terry (February 22, 1981). "'The struggle to keep Saturday Night Live'". Chicago Tribune. p. 31. Retrieved April 10, 2016.
  3. ^ "SNL Transcripts", snltranscripts.jt.org; accessed June 11, 2017.
  4. ^ Ames Carlin, Peter; Gliatto, Tom; Scott Gregory, Sophfronia; A. Lipton, Michael (October 4, 1999). "SketchArtists". People. 52 (13).
  5. ^ "The Studio for Actors", https://web.archive.org/web/20021128140701/http://www.the-studio-for-actors.com/; accessed May 18, 2023.
  6. ^ "Episodes | 11.15.1980 #4". SNL Archives. 1980-11-15. Retrieved 2017-06-11.
[edit]
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