Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a beloved Supreme Court Justice and feminist icon, but she was also one of Kate McKinnon's most beloved Saturday Night Live characters. On the first episode of
this season of SNL, McKinnon paid tribute to RBG, while in a black robe, signature white lace collar, and glasses.
At the end of the night's "Weekend Update" segment, the camera cut to the audience, where McKinnon sat, dressed as RBG for the final time, as she put her hand over her heart and bowed her head. The moment was brief but solemn.
Here it is:
— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) October 4, 2020
When Ginsburg died on September September 18, McKinnon honored the late justice with a short written tribute: "Playing her on SNL was a profound joy because I could always feel the overwhelming love and gratitude that the audience had for her," she wrote in a statement. "It was one of the great honors of my life to meet Justice Ginsburg, to shake her hand, and to thank her for her lifetime of service to this country."
The two got to meet last year, while at an off-Broadway performance of Fiddler on the Roof. The video of them talking and of a starstruck McKinnon waving goodbye is truly one of the purest, best things to ever exist:
? | Kate saying goodbye to RBG backstage at @FiddlerNYC last night! pic.twitter.com/0XDqkIdkQT
— Adoring Kate McKinnon (@KateMcKinnonNet) August 14, 2019
Here they are shaking hands, too:
At @FiddlerNYC and Ruth Bader Ginsburg is here! And Kate McKinnon just shook her hand!!! In all seriousness, this is a show that all #SCOTUS, judges, government officials should see. #seeingdouble#fiddlerontheroof#empathy#refugees#immigrantspic.twitter.com/6rdCvNpb6k
— ????? “Mask” ???? (@spinstripes) August 14, 2019
At the Sundance Film Festival in 2018, Ginsburg gave her blessing for McKinnon's performance and to her "That's a Ginsburn!" catchphrase.
"I liked the actress who portrayed me and I would like to say 'Ginsburned' sometimes to my colleagues," she said. She even did her own version of "Ginsburned!"