Actress and comedian Victoria Jackson is stepping into one of the most personal seasons of her life with the same wit, creativity, and unwavering faith that first endeared her to audiences on Saturday Night Live. Best known for her six-season run on the iconic show and her frequent appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Jackson is now turning inward with the release of her deeply reflective new book, Not Dead Yet: A Lifetime of Handstands, Art & Poetry. Created in the wake of her stage 4 cancer diagnosis, the project gathers decades of poetry, artwork, photography, and personal stories into a single, intentional work-one that reflects a life marked by humor, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to pointing others toward faith, even in the face of mortality.
Q: For those who have followed your career from Saturday Night Live to now, how would you describe the journey that led you to create Not Dead Yet?
The journey… I started writing Not Dead Yet when I was 10-now it was time to finish it.
Q: This book draws from decades of poetry, art, and personal archives-what was it like revisiting those moments and deciding what to include?
I think of my poems and songs as children. I’ve thought of them, shared some of them onstage, and protected them through 45 moves. They are special to me-some of them gushing out of me with no effort and comforting me. Also, my handstand photos remind me of difficult times God brought me through, like the stones Israel set up to remember His miracles. He helped me before-why would I doubt His love now? They remind me of God’s faithfulness.
Q: You mention that your diagnosis brought a sense of urgency to this project-how did that reality shape the tone and purpose of the book?
I’m going to die soon unless Christ returns, so if I’m going to do it, I’d better do it now. No one else is going to do it for me.
Q: The title Not Dead Yet carries both humor and defiance-how does that reflect your mindset in this season of life?
I saw it online on a T-shirt, and it made me laugh. I wore it a lot to lessen the discomfort of my friends and neighbors who didn’t know what to say. Then I started thinking more about the meaning of the phrase and realized I will never be dead, because Christ defeated death. So it has about three meanings: the mental, carnal one people use; the physical, cancer-related one; and the spiritual one.
Q: You draw inspiration from the story of King Hezekiah-how did that biblical moment influence the way you approached your legacy?
When I was diagnosed with cancer in 2015, I got a new puppy and named him Hezekiah (he’s 10 now) because we were studying that story at Community Bible Study. I related to God saying, “You’re going to die soon; get your house in order,” and Hezekiah crying out, and God responding, “Okay, you have 15 more years.” I realized that even 15 more years would pass like “a vapor,” but I wanted to see my grandchildren grow a little longer.
Q: Looking ahead, what do you hope readers take away from this book, and are there more creative projects you still feel called to pursue?
My main purpose was to point people to Jesus Christ our Savior and to His Word. His Word has the answer to everything at every stage of our lives. Romans 8:28-since all things work together for our good, those of us who serve Him can pass through any trial with joy and peace and count our trials a blessing. James 1:2-4.
