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Bowen Yang is set to leave Saturday Night Live, ending a historic run on the sketch comedy series that began in 2019. The Emmy-nominated comedian made history as SNL’s first Chinese-American cast member and one of the first openly gay stars on the show.

Yang’s final episode will air Dec. 20, 2025, with Ariana Grande hosting and Cher performing as the musical guest. The comedian appeared in a promotional video for the episode alongside Grande and Cher, which was shared on SNL’s official Instagram.

Why Bowen Yang Is Leaving Saturday Night Live

Although Yang hasn’t publicly detailed the reasons behind his exit, he previously shared thoughts on stepping away from the show. In an April 2025 interview, he noted the demanding SNL schedule:

“The new season of SNL, I’m just like, ‘Oh, right. My time isn’t my own.’ And I tell my friends, ‘I’m not going to really see you guys until June.'”

Yang added, “That inevitably requires me to sort of hang it up at some point — but I don’t know what the vision is yet.”

In September 2025, he also reflected on whether audiences might be “getting sick” of him, but SNL creator Lorne Michaels reassured him:

“That’s not true. There’s more for you to do. I need you,” Yang recalled Michaels saying.

Bowen Yang’s Time on SNL

Since joining in season 45, Yang has earned multiple accolades, including an Emmy nomination for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series — a first for a featured player. He called his SNL experience “an honor” and praised the cast and crew:

“I owe a lot of my life to that show,” Yang told PEOPLE in September 2025. “And I love working there, the people are the best. I really love each of them so much.”

Yang also reflected on SNL as a launching pad for talent, calling it a “boot camp” that prepares cast members for the next phase of their careers.

Other Recent Cast Departures

Ahead of SNL’s 51st season, multiple cast members announced exits, including Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim, Devon Walker, Josh Higgins, and Ego Nwodim. Yang commented on the emotional impact of these departures, emphasizing the transitional nature of the show and his excitement for the incoming cast.