Bowen Yang is quitting Saturday Night Live (SNL) in the middle of Season 51, after the episode on December 20, 2025, with Ariana Grande as host and Cher as musical guest. The comedian, who started as a writer in 2018 and became a cast member the next year, posted an emotional message on Instagram thanking the cast, crew, and creator Lorne Michaels for every minute on the show.
Yang was nominated for five Primetime Emmys while he was there. One was for writing and four were for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series. He thought about leaving last season but stayed because Michaels told him he had “more to do” after other cast members like Ego Nwodim and Heidi Gardner left. There hasn’t been an official reason given for his sudden departure, but sources say he has a lot of other projects going on outside of SNL.
Fans were shocked on social media and praised Yang’s memorable sketches and ability to play a variety of roles as the first Chinese-American cast member on the show. After major changes to the Season 51 cast, such as the addition of Tommy Brennan and Veronika Slowikowska, he is leaving. People are starting to wonder what Yang will do next, especially after his role in Wicked with Ariana Grande.
