Comedian Bowen Yang is leaving Saturday Night Live (SNL) halfway through his eighth season with the iconic late-night show. Yang’s final appearance is scheduled for October 28, 2023, during an episode hosted by Ariana Grande, with musical guest Cher. The reason for his unexpected departure has not been publicly disclosed.
In a heartfelt social media post, Yang expressed his gratitude for his time on the show, stating, “I loved working at SNL, and most of all I loved the people.” He reflected on the value of collaboration and creativity during challenging times, emphasizing that the experience at 30 Rock taught him the importance of showing up when the work feels meaningful.
Yang, 35, has been a standout member of the SNL cast, known for memorable segments such as “The Iceberg That Sank the Titanic,” where he humorously personifies the infamous iceberg, and the “Straight Male Friend” commercial featuring Travis Kelce. He also gained attention for his recurring impression of former congressman George Santos and performed in a sketch on NPR’s popular Tiny Desk concert series.
Over the course of his tenure, Yang received five Emmy Award nominations for his contributions to the series. His career extends beyond SNL, with roles in the romantic comedy Fire Island, participation in the musical Wicked (2024) and its sequel, Wicked: For Good (2025), as well as the remake of The Wedding Banquet (2025). Additionally, he co-hosts the podcast Las Culturistas with fellow comedian Matt Rogers.
Career Milestones and Impact
Yang made history as SNL’s first Chinese American cast member, joining the team as a staff writer in 2018. His promotion to on-air talent came a year later, leading to his status as a series regular. In a recent interview with People, Yang acknowledged the show’s natural turnover, hinting at his own future beyond SNL. He noted, “It’s this growing, living thing where new people come in… and that inevitably requires me to sort of hang it up at some point.”
His departure adds to a list of recent cast changes, including Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and Devon Walker, all of whom left ahead of SNL’s 51st season. Yang’s representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment regarding his exit, and SNL’s network, NBCUniversal, only referenced his social media acknowledgment without further elaboration.
Though mid-season departures from SNL are rare, they have occurred in the past, with notable exits from cast members such as Cecily Strong, Dana Carvey, and Eddie Murphy. Fellow entertainers have publicly reacted to Yang’s exit on social media. Actor Evan Ross Katz commented, “Iconic. (Understatement),” while comedian Amber Ruffin congratulated him and expressed hopes for more projects like The Wedding Banquet.
In reflecting on Yang’s departure, NPR critic-at-large Eric Deggans described it as a setback for the show, stating, “SNL thrives when it has a large crop of utility players who can pull comedic gold from the dodgiest sketch ideas.” He highlighted Yang’s versatility and ability to bring humor to a variety of roles, noting that Yang’s exit might allow him to pursue new opportunities while his star continues to rise.
As Bowen Yang transitions from SNL, his impact on the show and the broader comedy landscape remains significant, leaving audiences eager to see what new projects will emerge from this talented performer.
