In brief
Comedian Bowen Yang has announced his exit from Saturday Night Live (SNL) after a successful run since 2018. In an emotional Instagram post, Yang shared his gratitude and insights gained during his time on the show, reinforcing his impact as a groundbreaking cast member. His final episode, set to air soon, features Ariana Grande as host.
Comedian Bowen Yang is leaving the cast of Saturday Night Live, announcing that he will no longer be part of the long-running sketch programme following the airing of the latest episode.
In an Instagram post, Yang did not specify his reason for exiting mid-season, but expressed deep gratitude for his time on the show. I loved working at SNL, and most of all I loved the people, he shared, having started as a writer in 2018 before joining the acting cast.
At 35, Yang made history as SNL's first Chinese-American cast member and has grown into one of its most recognizable figures. In his farewell post, he reflected on the valuable lessons learned during his tenure. I learned about myself (bad with wigs), he quipped, highlighting the camaraderie and talent of his fellow cast members.
Yang leaves behind a legacy of memorable characters and parodies, including his portrayal of the iceberg from Titanic and disgraced ex-Congressman George Santos. His last episode will feature Ariana Grande as host, coinciding with his role in the film Wicked: For Good.
An impressive five-time Emmy nominee, Yang co-hosts the podcast Las Culturistas and is slated to voice a character in the upcoming Cat in the Hat animated film next year.
