Bowen Yang to leave 'SNL' after seven years
What's the story
Bowen Yang, a popular and well-loved Saturday Night Live cast member, is set to leave the show after his final appearance on Saturday. His last episode will be hosted by his Wicked co-star Ariana Grande, with Cher as the musical guest. This news comes amid a series of recent departures from SNL, including Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, John Higgins, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim.
Career highlights
Yang's journey on 'SNL' and his Emmy nominations
Yang joined the show in 2018 as a writer for Season 44. He joined SNL as a featured player in Season 45 and was promoted to the main cast in Season 47. The ongoing season is the show's 51st. His performances earned him four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2021, 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Legacy and departure
Yang's historic role and personal reflections
Yang made history in 2019 as SNL's first Chinese American cast member and one of the show's openly gay performers. Speaking to People, he had previously hinted at his exit, saying, "SNL, it's just this moving, living, breathing thing." "Especially after the 50th, I'm seeing what life after the show is like... And then with SNL... it's this growing living thing where new people come in and you do have to sort of make way for them."
Post-'SNL' plans
Yang's career beyond 'SNL' and personal life
Outside of SNL, Yang has been busy with television shows and films like Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, Bros, Fire Island, and Wicked. He also has his own podcast, called La Culturistas with Matt Rogers. In the same interview, he had said that his time was slipping away from him and he wasn't able to meet his friends because of work commitments.