Bowen Yang Leaves SNL After Eight-Year Tenure

Bowen Yang, a standout cast member on Saturday Night Live, is set to depart the long-running sketch comedy series after his final appearance on this weekend's episode, marking the end of an eight-year tenure that began as a writer in 2018.

The episode, airing Saturday night from Studio 8H in New York, will be hosted by Ariana Grande, Yang's co-star in the Wicked films, with Cher as the musical guest. The timing aligns with the show's midseason break, making Yang's exit the first by a regular cast member since Cecily Strong left in December 2022. Representatives for Yang and the production did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and no specific reason for his departure has been provided.

Yang joined SNL during Season 44 as a writer, contributing to sketches while making occasional on-screen appearances. He transitioned to featured player status in Season 45 and earned promotion to the repertory cast ahead of Season 47, where he became known for his versatile performances and earned four Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series. Over the years, Yang balanced his SNL commitments with external projects, including a role as Pfannee, Glinda's...