Kate McKinnon has paid tribute to the memory of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, calling her a "real-life superhero" and a "robed crusader."
The Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg died on Friday at age 87, and McKinnon, who mimicked RBG in a series of "Weekend Update" segments on "Saturday Night Live" dating all the way back to 2015, said that playing her was a "profound joy."
"For so many of us, Justice Ginsburg was a real-life superhero: a beacon of hope, a warrior for justice, a robed crusader who saved the day time and again. Playing her on 'SNL' was a profound joy because I could always feel the overwhelming love and gratitude that the audience had for her," McKinnon said in a statement. "It was one of the great honors to meet Justice Ginsburg, to shake her hand and to thank her for her lifetime of service to this country."
McKinnon's character involved dropping by the Weekend Update desk from time to time to react to events in the news -- like the appointment of Supreme Court Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh -- delivering some sick "Gins-Burns" ("I like my men like I like my decisions, 5-4,") and then breaking out into dance.
The real Ginsburg reacted to McKinnon's portrayal on two occasions, saying in the documentary "RBG," "It's marvelously funny," but it didn't resemble herself one bit. "Except for the collar," she said. Ginsburg told NPR's Nina Totenberg that she would love to deliver a "Gins-Burn" to her colleagues if given the chance.
McKinnon wasn't the only actress who portrayed Ginsburg to gave the late Supreme Court justice a shout-out Saturday. Felicity Jones, who portrayed her in the 2018 biopic "On the Basis of Sex," also praising Ginsburg as a "beacon of light."
"Ruth Bader Ginsburg gave us hope, a public figure who stood for integrity and justice- a responsibility she did not wear lightly," Jones said in a statement Saturday. "She will be missed not only as a beacon of light in these difficult times but for her razor sharp wit and extraordinary humanity. She taught us all so much. I will miss her deeply."
The justice and feminist icon died due to complications from metastatic pancreas cancer Friday.
'SNL': The 15 Best Sketches From Season 45 (Photos)
The 45th season of "Saturday Night Live" was a landmark achievement in more ways than one. Not only did the long-running sketch series see the long-awaited return of Eddie Murphy to Studio 8H, but the show had to contend with the coronavirus pandemic that forced the cast out of 30 Rock and into their homes. Luckily for us, that did not stop the show from producing new episodes. Here are the top sketches, in no particular order, from this season.
Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood 2019: Eddie Murphy hosted for the first time since the mid-1980s and he brought back all of his classic characters. Among them was Mr. Robinson, who showed up to teach boys and girls about the blight of gentrification. “I was gone for a bit but now I’m alright. My neighbors were all black but now they white.” We missed you, Eddie. Watch it here.
Debbie Downer Wedding Reception: In the final live episode before "SNL" went home during the coronavirus, Rachel Dratch brought back Debbie Downer to remind us all (correctly, it turns out) of what was in store for us. Watch it here.
Impeachment Fantasy Cold Open: One of many cold opens featuring Alec Baldwin's Trump, this one that takes us all back to the better days: When the president was being impeached. This imagines the trial most people wished had happened. Watch it here.
Grouch: We knew "Sesame Street's" move to HBO could make it edgier but a "Joker"-style origin story for Oscar the Grouch took a bit too far. Watch it here.
Airport Sushi: John Mulaney completes the trilogy we never knew we needed by following up "Diner Lobster" and "Bodega Bathroom" with "Airport Sushi." Watch it here.
Uncle Meme: Always talk to your children about the dangers of irresponsible memes. Watch it here.
Family Charades: RuPaul made his "SNL" hosting debut with this sketch about a family that really does not understand the rules of Charades. Watch it here.
Robbie: Let's be honest, this is how "Rudy" would have turned out in real life. J.J. Watt just had to be the one to say it. Watch it here.
Undercover Boss: Where Are They Now (With Kylo Ren): Matt the Radar Technician is now "Randy the Entry Level Intern" in this follow-up to see if Kylo Ren really has made The First Order a more work-friendly place to be. Watch it here.
Party Song: Will Ferrell returned for his fifth time hosting and plays an AP English Teacher who is going through a rough spot in his marriage. Watch it here.
Mid-Day News: A midday news report about crime devolves into the most hilariously tone-deaf competition ever. Watch it here.
Dr. Anthony Fauci Cold Open: Dr. Fauci probably isn't happy about many things these days, but he got his wish when Brad Pitt played the country's top infectious disease expert to kick off "SNL's" second "At Home" edition. Watch it here.
Zoom Call: Too real, "SNL." Just way too real. Watch it here.
Sport Report: After two months of quarantine, we all probably would tune into "Popcorn Pop Off." If this seems too unbelievable, we remind you that ESPN actually aired people playing H-O-R-S-E. Watch it here.
Dreams: "SNL" sent off its season on a more somber, yet hopeful note: Reminding us all about the world that used to be before the pandemic. We hope to see it again. Watch it here.
1 of 16
From Eddie Murphy's return to quarantined episodes, 45th edition of late night sketch series won't be forgotten
The 45th season of "Saturday Night Live" was a landmark achievement in more ways than one. Not only did the long-running sketch series see the long-awaited return of Eddie Murphy to Studio 8H, but the show had to contend with the coronavirus pandemic that forced the cast out of 30 Rock and into their homes. Luckily for us, that did not stop the show from producing new episodes. Here are the top sketches, in no particular order, from this season.
