Bowen Yang’s Departure from Saturday Night Live: What He’s Shared About His Journey on the Show
Bowen Yang attends SNL50: The Anniversary Special on February 16, 2025 in New York City.
Credit:
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Key Details
- Bowen Yang is departing Saturday Night Live.
- He joined the sketch comedy program in 2019 as the first Chinese-American cast member.
- In April 2025, he noted that he would eventually “grow out” of the show.
Bowen Yang’s remarkable tenure on Saturday Night Live is coming to a close. Reports confirm that the Emmy-nominated comedian will leave the show mid-season, according to multiple sources.
Yang joined the iconic show during its 45th season, breaking barriers as the first Chinese-American and one of its first openly gay cast members. His contributions were critically recognized in 2021, when he became the first featured player to receive an Emmy nomination for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
“I owe a lot of my life to that show,” Yang stated in a September 2025 interview. “And I love working there; the people are the best. I really love each of them so much.”
Reasons Behind Yang’s Departure
Bowen Yang and Nate Bargatze during The 77th Primetime Emmy Awards on September 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty
While Yang has not elaborated on his reasons for leaving, he expressed concerns in September 2025 about audience fatigue with him. However, SNL creator Lorne Michaels assured him that there was still more for him to contribute: “He was like, ‘That’s not true. There’s more for you to do. I need you,'” Yang recounted.
Although mid-season exits from SNL are uncommon, Yang is not the first to do so. Notable former cast members, including Cecily Strong and Molly Shannon, have also departed during the middle of a season.
When Will Yang’s Last Episode Air?
Musical guest Cher, host Ariana Grande, and Bowen Yang during SNL Promos on December 18, 2025 in New York City.
Rosalind O’Connor/NBC via Getty
Bowen Yang’s final episode of SNL is scheduled to air on December 20, 2025. During this episode, his close friend and Wicked co-star Ariana Grande will host, with Cher serving as the musical guest.
On December 19, Yang participated in promotional activities for the episode alongside Grande and Cher, which were shared on the show’s social media platforms.
Yang’s Reflections on Leaving SNL
Bowen Yang as Moo Dang the hippo and Colin Jost during Weekend Update on Saturday Night Live.
Will Heath/NBC via Getty
In prior interviews, Yang hinted at the possibility of his exit. He previously expressed that he felt he still had more to contribute to the program. “I’ve always gone by the instinct of, do I have more to do? And I feel like I do,” he remarked.
Yang also reflected on the challenges of the show’s demanding schedule, stating, “The new season of SNL, I’m just like, ‘Oh, right. My time isn’t my own.’”
Recent Departures from SNL
Emil Wakim attends SNL50: The Anniversary Special on February 16, 2025 in New York City; Ego Nwodim on “The Jennifer Hudson Show” on February 27, 2025 in Burbank, California; Heidi Gardner attends SNL50: The Anniversary Special on February 16, 2025 in New York City.
Taylor Hill/FilmMagic; Chris Haston/WBTV via Getty; Taylor Hill/FilmMagic
Numerous cast members have departed SNL before the start of its 51st season, including Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, Devon Walker, Josh Higgins, and Ego Nwodim. Yang expressed emotion at their departures, viewing SNL as a “boot camp” that prepares performers for future endeavors.
“That implies that there is a next phase you train for something else,” he added optimistically about his colleagues and their future paths in entertainment.
