New York , 21 December (H.S.): Comedian Bowen Yang, a trailblazing Chinese-American cast member of Saturday Night Live, announced his departure from the iconic NBC sketch comedy series following the episode airing on Saturday evening.
Heartfelt Instagram Valediction
Yang, aged 35, shared a poignant Instagram carousel on December 20, featuring behind-the-scenes snapshots from his tenure at 30 Rockefeller Plaza, without disclosing specific reasons for his midseason exit.
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, he reflected, adding gratitude for every minute of my time there.
He humorously noted personal insights gained—bad with wigs—and praised colleagues as generous, vulnerable, hot, while crediting comedy's essence to logistics that will usually fail until it doesn't.
Storied SNL Tenure and Iconic Creations
Joining as a writer in 2018 before ascending to featured player in Season 45 and repertory status two years later, Yang amassed seven seasons as a performer, earning five Emmy nominations, including one for the historic 50th season.
Memorable portrayals included the Titanic's iceberg, disgraced Congressman George Santos, Vice President J.D. Vance, Fran Lebowitz, and pygmy hippopotamus Moo Deng, cementing his status as a viral sensation.
Yang extended thanks to producer Lorne Michaels for fostering unity and ensuring people in any room are having a good time, alongside castmates, pages, and hosts.
Fitting Finale with Grande and Cher
His valedictory broadcast on December 20 featured host Ariana Grande—his Wicked co-star—and musical guest Cher, whom Yang lauded for sending me off in the dreamiest way I could imagine.
This midseason departure aligns with precedents set by luminaries like Cecily Strong, Molly Shannon, and Amy Poehler, amid Season 51's cast shakeup that welcomed Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska following exits by Ego Nwodim and others.Ventures Beyond the StudioBeyond SNL, Yang boasts a burgeoning filmography encompassing Wicked, Wicked: For Good, The Wedding Banquet, Fire Island, Bros, and Dicks the Musical, alongside co-hosting the acclaimed podcast Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers—whose Culture Awards debuted on Bravo this year.
Upcoming projects include voicing a character in the 2026 Cat in the Hat animation and co-writing/starring in a Searchlight Pictures comedy about Americans infiltrating Berlin's Berghain nightclub.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
