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It must be difficult to portray a person who is famous and still loved by many people years after her death. Somehow actress Jamie Gertz found a way to embody the spirit of comedian Gilda Radner in the ABC movie "Gilda Radner: It's Always Something."

To make things even more difficult the movie is based on Radner's autobiography. Not only must Gertz deal with the Radner's legend, but she must also do so with the comedian's own words. Gertz fights any temptation to be a goofy caricature of Radner, who died from ovarian cancer at 42 years old. Instead Gertz's low-key performance presents a fragile side of Radner that few of fans are aware existed.

Like most comedians, Radner turned to comedy to help overcome her own insecurities and fears. Radner was an overweight girl who was often teased by her classmates.

"Being funny always wins people over," says Radner's nanny. "And then you're in charge of the situation."

Radner never forgot her beloved nanny's advice. She spent the rest of her life seeking laughs and control of every situation. She became so obsessed with controlling her life that she became bulimic to control her weight.

"If I can't be pretty, I'll be funny and slim," she says.

Radner was extremely close to her father, who doted on her. Everything changed when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Things were never the same. In fact, Radner would often be embarrassed by her father's blank expressions and forgetfulness. He was the first man to strongly influence her life, but he would not be the last. Radner moved from one disastrous relationship to another seeking security from men.

"A lot of my life has been controlled by the men I love," she says. "If humor was the foundation of my life, men were definitely the first floor. I loved funny men.Unfortunately the feeling wasn't always mutual."

She would do anything once she fell in love. She followed one man to Toronto, Canada. He left her, but she stayed in the city and won a spot with the famed Second City comedy troupe. There she met men who would play a larger role in her life — John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray, who was another failed love interest.

Her career quickly took off, leading her to New York City and the cast of NBC's "Saturday Night Live." The movie does not dwell long on her exploits at "SNL," except to show how fame and drugs turned the cast into a dysfunctional family.

"The smoke and mirrors of being so busy made it easy to ignore being lonely," reveals Radner. "'Saturday Night Live' was a charmed time. We all thought we were immortal. I was funny and I was in control of my life. At least for five years."

It is a little disconcerting to see strangers portraying Belushi, Aykroyd, Chevy Chase, Jane Curtin and the rest of the cast. The actors slightly resemble the people they are playing and have perfected the "SNL" cast's mannerisms. It's weird watching these actors re-create some of the funny skits that became so popular on the comedy show, especially since the originals can be seen nightly on Comedy Central network.

The movie does not dwell on any time in Radner's life. The story moves quickly past her childhood and the days at "SNL." There's a more important story to tell — her sickness, rebirth and ultimate death.

Radner found her true love in the comic Gene Wilder. Wilder will be very pleased with the movie's portrayal of him as a husband and a caring man.

Radner and Wilder were married only a few years before she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The second half of the movie focuses on her battle with cancer and desire to help other cancer patients. Thankfully, there are no depressing death scenes. The movie ends with footage of the real

Radner from a movie she made called "La Dolce Gilda." The scene is a poignant farewell to a very funny lady.

The success of "Gilda Radner: It's Always About Something" is due to Gertz's touching performance. Never obnoxious or overwrought, Gertz respects the legend and the woman who died too young.

"Gilda Radner: It's Always Something" airs at 9 p.m. Monday, ABC

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