Bowen Yang confirms sudden exit from SNL after seven seasons

Bowen Yang has confirmed he is leaving Saturday Night Live, ending seven seasons as a cast member.

The announcement appeared on his Instagram page Saturday, where Yang thanked the people he worked with at 30 Rock and reflected on what the time on SNL taught him about showing up and the value of the room. He did not reveal explicit next steps, but his message underscored the impact of the experience and the relationships formed during his seven-year run. Deadline and Variety had reported in recent days that Yang would exit in the middle of his eighth season.

Yang joined SNL as a featured player in the 45th season and was promoted to a full cast member two years later. Known for his work in sketches and his role in the theater world, he has also been associated with the Broadway production Wicked. Midseason departures from SNL are rare; past cast members who left midseason include Cecily Strong in 2022, Molly Shannon in 2001, Dana Carvey in 1993, Eddie Murphy in 1984, and Norm Macdonald in 1998, with Macdonald leaving under contentious circumstances.

In his message, Yang thanked longtime SNL creator Lorne Michaels for the opportunity and for bringing everyone together, while acknowledging the show’s demanding nature and its focus on people in the room. He did not specify his next project, but his exit marks another high-profile change for the long-running NBC program.