Comedian Chris “Rocket” Claverie, a member of the Saturday Night Live cast from 1980-81, comitted suicide on October 7.
Ex-‘SNL’ Comedian’s Death Ruled a Suicide
Actor and comedian Charles Rocket, who had roles in a variety of movies and TV series and briefly gained notoriety for uttering an obscenity on “Saturday Night Live,” committed suicide, the state medical examiner ruled. Rocket, 56, whose real name was Charles Claverie, was found dead in a field near his home in Canterbury on Oct 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. The profanity incident happened during a spoof of the “Who Shot J.R.?” plot line on “Dallas,” which created a nationwide sensation at the time. The incident sparked complaints from viewers and prompted NBC to apologize. Rocket was later dismissed along with other cast members and writers on the show amid weak ratings at the time.
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.
This is the first I’ve heard of Rocket’s death. I was at my groom’s dinner the night he was found and have been rather busy since.
A shame.
