Former SNL writer remembered

Associated Press

HUDSON, N.Y.

Tom Davis, a writer who with Al Franken helped develop some of the most popular skits in the early years of “Saturday Night Live,” was remembered by his former partner as “great friend, a good man, and so funny.” He was 59.

Davis’ wife, Mimi Raleigh, said he died Thursday of throat and neck cancer at his home in the Hudson Valley, north of New York City. He was diagnosed in 2009.

Davis is best known as the thinner, taller partner in Franken and Davis, the off-kilter comedy duo who performed in the early years of the show.

They also were among the first writers hired for the new show in 1975 and helped create memorable work such as the “Coneheads” skit with Dan Aykroyd and what evolved into the “Nick the Lounge Singer” skit starring Bill Murray performing lounge-lizard versions of songs including the “Star Wars” theme.