Bowen Yang, a cast member on NBC's Saturday Night Live, has departed the program mid-season, concluding his tenure after his eighth season. His final broadcast was scheduled for Saturday, which featured Ariana Grande as host and Cher as the musical guest. Yang, 35, announced his exit via a social media post, in which he expressed gratitude for his time on the show and to his colleagues. The specific reasons for his departure have not been publicly disclosed.
Departure Details
Yang's departure became effective after the recent broadcast. He communicated his exit through a social media message posted on Saturday. In his statement, Yang conveyed, "I loved working at SNL, and most of all I loved the people. I was there at a time when many things in the world started to seem futile, but working at 30 Rock taught me the value in showing up anyway when people make it worthwhile." The specific reasons for his mid-season departure have not been publicly disclosed.
NBCUniversal, the network, referenced Yang's social media statement without providing additional comment. Representatives for Yang did not respond to requests for comment. Following his social media post, other entertainers, including actor Evan Ross Katz and comedian Amber Ruffin, publicly commented on his departure.
Career on Saturday Night Live
Yang, 35, began his involvement with Saturday Night Live in 2018 as a staff writer. He transitioned to an on-air performer in 2019 and subsequently became a series regular. He holds the distinction of being the first Chinese-American staff actor in the history of Saturday Night Live.
During his tenure, Yang received five Emmy Award nominations for his work on the series. His contributions included:
- The "Weekend Update" segment "The Iceberg That Sank the Titanic."
- A commercial parody titled "Straight Male Friend," co-starring Travis Kelce.
- A recurring impression of former congressman George Santos.
- A sketch portraying an intern on NPR's Tiny Desk concert series.
Context and Other Projects
Yang's departure follows discussions he had earlier this year with People magazine regarding the typical cast turnover at Saturday Night Live. He stated his understanding that cast members eventually depart to allow for new talent and personal growth, remarking that "new people come in and you do have to sort of make way for them and to grow and to keep elevating themselves."
His exit also follows those of other cast members who recently left the program, including Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and Devon Walker, prior to the 51st season. Mid-season departures from Saturday Night Live, while infrequent, have occurred historically, with previous examples including Cecily Strong, Dana Carvey, and Eddie Murphy.
Beyond his work on Saturday Night Live, Yang's professional credits include roles in several films, such as the 2022 romantic comedy Fire Island, the upcoming musical film Wicked (2024) and its sequel, Wicked: For Good (2025), and a remake of The Wedding Banquet (2025). He also co-hosts the Las Culturistas podcast with Matt Rogers.