Bowen Yang, known for his successful tenure on Saturday Night Live, will be leaving the show in the middle of the current season following tonight’s episode featuring Ariana Grande. Yang initially joined SNL as a writer in 2018, later transitioning to a featured player and eventually becoming a main cast member. Throughout his time on the show, he garnered significant fan support and received five Emmy nominations.
While an official spokesperson for SNL declined to comment on Yang’s departure, the star did take to Instagram to express his gratitude for his time on the show, emphasizing the value of his experiences and the people he worked with. This departure is not unprecedented, as Cecily Strong also made a mid-season exit in December 2022.
Yang, aged 35, recently appeared in promotional material for the show alongside Ariana Grande and Cher. The news of his departure comes after several other cast members left last summer ahead of Season 51, including Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, and others. Yang had previously discussed the possibility of leaving, but ultimately chose to stay after receiving support from Lorne Michaels, the creator of SNL.
In addition to his work on SNL, Yang co-hosts a popular pop culture podcast and has been involved in various projects, including Wicked and The Wedding Banquet. Born in Australia and raised in Canada to Chinese immigrant parents, Yang holds both American and Canadian citizenships. In a recent interview, he expressed his desire to move beyond being defined solely by his identity, emphasizing the importance of personal relationships and a balanced lifestyle.