Robin Duke (born March 13, 1954 in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian actress and comedian. Duke is most famous for her work on the NBC comedy series Saturday Night Live.
She was an actor and writer on SNL from 1981 to 1984. Her most popular character was probably Wendy Whiner, a nasally-pitched woman who, with her equally whiny husband (Joe Piscopo), annoyed everyone she met. She is also remembered for appearing with Mr. T, as the equally bizarre "Mrs. T," in a faux commercial for the real-life product "Mr. and Mrs. T's Bloody Mary Mix".
Duke went to high school with Catherine O'Hara at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada; they first met during a production of Harvey. O'Hara later became famous in comedy troupe The Second City. O'Hara even mentioned Duke's name in a few sketches of the television version (SCTV). Duke made some small appearances in 1976 episodes before she appeared on a more regular basis from 1980-1981, when she replaced O'Hara as a cast member. Ironically, she was called upon to replace O'Hara a second time when at the last minute O'Hara quit the cast of Saturday Night Live.
During Duke's time on the show, Piscopo and Eddie Murphy were the main stars, and Duke often played supporting roles, sometimes in a very degrading fashion (one character was called "The Pig"). Finally, a dispirited Duke left the show.
Duke went on to appear in such films as Club Paradise (1986), Groundhog Day (1993) and Stuart Saves His Family (1995), along with some television guest appearances. She is currently a faculty member of Humber College's Comedy: Writing & Performance in Toronto, Canada
A high school friend of 'Catherine OHara (I) at Burnhamthorpe Collegiate in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada. They first acted together in a school production of "Harvey".
Was one of only three comedian/writers to appear as regulars on both "Saturday Night Live" (1975) and "Second City TV" (1976) (the other two being Tony Rosato and Martin Short (I)).
Is now a member of the faculty of Humber College's Comedy: Writing & Performance program in Toronto, Canada.
