i had mine break a little while ago in my 2000.
most break right at the handle, so yeah, cut cable and pull with a pair of vise grips.

 

Most times I get lucky and they break at the handle. I have had a LOT of hood cables break on me. About 25 percent broke on the other end right where the cable goes into the crimped bullet, This would be more in line with my luck lately.

 

first thing I do when I get a new xj: get rid of the cable and put on hood pins. if your worried about people being able to open your hood, put some little pad locks thru the pins.