SNL’s Victoria Jackson Is Not Dead … Yet!
Editor’s note: This podcast features language that may be offensive to some listeners. As with all of our podcasts, Religion Unplugged believes in a diversity of opinions. The viewpoints presented in this episode do not necessarily represent those of Religion Unplugged, its staff or contributors.
Religion and death, for many of us, go hand in hand.
For actor and writer Victoria Jackson, death is on her mind now more than ever.
Jackson suffers from terminal breast cancer, and, with the knowledge that her life is going to end, she recently wrote “Not Dead Yet,” a book that tells the story of her life, faith and how she is dealing with dying.
Today, however, Jackson finds herself in a very different role: Reflecting on her own mortality. After being diagnosed, she has chosen to confront the reality of death with honesty, humor and a deep reliance on her Christian faith.
Religion Unplugged culture critic Joseph Holmes spoke with Jackson in our latest podcast. Jackson was a “Saturday Night Live” cast member in the 1980s and has had a long career in film and TV — including work in many faith-based films.
In her conversation, Jackson discusses how her beliefs shape her outlook on death, the lessons she has learned throughout her career and what it means to face an uncertain future with courage.
Jackson’s story offers a candid and deeply personal look at the intersection of faith and mortality, providing insight for anyone grappling with life’s biggest questions.
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Matthew Peterson is Religion Unplugged’s podcast editor and audience development coordinator. He took part in this past summer’s European Journalism Institute held in Prague, an annual program co-sponsored by The Media Project.