Michael McCarthy, former writer of Saturday Night Live, dies at age 61 after long battle with cancer

Michael C. McCarthy, former writer of Saturday Night Live, died at the age of 61.

The Chicago Sun Times reported that he died Wednesday at his North Side home in Chicago after a battle with cancer

McCarthy was a Second City actor and wrote on SNL from 1983 to 1985, for which he won a Primetime Emmy nomination.

He is survived by his wife Susan Messing and his stepchildren Liam Maxwell Conner and Sofia Mia Canale.

In addition to writing on SNL, McCarthy has written for Sesame Street and Big News TV, among others.

He was also a professor at Second City, iO Theater and a writing professor at DePaul University.

As a writing teacher, some of her famous students include Tina Fey, Jon Favreau and SNL actress Vanessa Bayer.

At the time: McCarthy wrote for SNL from 1983 to 1985, he created the sketch of House of Mutton in which he played with Michael Palin and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (represented in the sketch of 1984)

Her students and friends went on Twitter to cry and express their loss.

“For over thirty years, Michael McCarthy has been my loyal and inspiring friend,” wrote Ken Olshansky, a former Second City actor on Twitter. “It really hurts to say goodbye.

One student wrote, “I have had many writing teachers, but none have made me feel included like Michael McCarthy. Good luck to this kind and funny man.

“I lost my mentor today. A total legend, ”wrote another user. “ He also helped mentor a number of writers in Chicago at the annoyance theater, for years we met on Sunday and he helped guide us. ”

Old friend: “For over thirty years Michael McCarthy has been my loyal and inspiring friend,” wrote Ken Olshansky, a former Second City actor on Twitter. “It really hurts to say goodbye”

Included: One student wrote, “I have had many writing teachers, but none have made me feel included like Michael McCarthy. Good luck to this kind, funny man ‘

Wonderful: Another shared a photo of Michael in a scene Amy Sedaris and Steve Carell

McCarthy also took the stage to perform in many Second City shows in Chicago in the 80s and 90s.

In Second City, she played alongside famous faces such as Steve Carell, Amy Sedaris and Tim Meadows, while Stephen Colbert acted as her backing.

“Michael was extraordinarily intelligent, talented and kind,” Second City told The Times. said in a statement, noting that cancer was the cause of death.

Adding: “He was someone you always loved to be with, and you felt better about yourself and the world when you had the pleasure of his gracious company. Michael had a real wit, and his writing felt effortless in its beauty and intelligence. ”

A hero: “I lost my mentor today. A total legend, ”wrote one user. “ He also helped mentor a number of writers in Chicago at the annoyance theater, for years we met on Sunday and he helped guide us ”

Founder: McCarthy founded the Cat Laughs comedy festival in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1995 and is still in progress. The festival wrote on Twitter: “ We are incredibly sad today. [McCarthy] will leave a very big hole for a lot of people and our thoughts go to his partner, Susan Messing and his family ”

While his former stage star, Sedaris, said, “This is sad news. I loved Michael. He had a very dry sense of humor. He has always been passionate, a team player, generous and kind. I really loved working with him.

After his stint at SNL, he joined the Second City Touring Company in the early 90s and finally reached the main stage of the resident company.

He also played small roles on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Gilmore Girls, and According to Jim during his career.

McCarthy founded the Cat Laughs comedy festival in Kilkenny, Ireland in 1995 and is still in progress.

The festival wrote on Twitter: “ We are incredibly sad today. [McCarthy] is going to leave a very big hole for a lot of people and our thoughts are with his partner, Susan Messing and his family.