Bowen Yang Confirms Exit from Saturday Night Live

After nearly 8 seasons of Saturday Night Live, comedian/writer Bowen Yang has confirmed his exit from the show's 51st season.

Yang’s final episode as an official castmate aired late last week and featured an epic send-off from host Ariana Grande and musical guest Cher.

In a heartfelt post on his Instagram, Yang officially confirmed he was saying goodbye to the show, writing, “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 opened his statement.

Yang went on to thank his former castmates while hilariously poking fun at the show’s wigs. “I learned that human error can be nothing but correct. I learned that comedy is mostly about logistics and that it will usually fail until it doesn’t, which is the besssst.” He continued.

He finished his statement by thanking Saturday Night Live creator and producer Lorne Michaels for casting him on the show, and ’ I can’t believe I was ever included in that. The show doesn’t go on because it’s ready, but shiiiiit, I hope I am.” He ended his post.

Yang originally joined the show as a staff writer during the show’s 44th season. After writing several successful skits for the show, he was eventually promoted to featured player for the show’s 45th season,  before being promoted to a full-time cast member at the start of the show’s 47th season in September 2021.

Upon being added as a full-time cast member, Yang made history as the show’s first-ever Chinese-American cast member, and third openly gay male cast member after Terry Sweeney became the show’s first, and John Milhiser became the show’s second.

Yang quickly became a fan favorite on the show, giving the show some much-needed queer energy. His pop culture-rooted characters saw him playing everything from the iceberg that sank the Titanic to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

While at Saturday Night Live, Yang was doing the damn thing, logging five Primetime Emmy nominations.  In 2025, he made Emmys history by becoming the most-nominated Asian male performer in history.

On Yang’s final episode, which aired late last week, Yang was caught getting emotional during his final sketch on the show.

During the sketch, Yang hilariously portrays an egg-nog pourer/employee at  JFK Delta One Lounge who was finishing his final shift with the company. As the sketch plays out, he’s joined by host Ariana Grande, who plays a work colleague named Barb, after a back-and-forth banter with each other as they sang a goodbye song together.

“I’m just so happy I got to work here, and I just wanted to enjoy it for a little bit longer. Especially the people. I have loved every single person who works here because they’ve done so much for me, especially my boss, ” Yang’s character confessed.

Next, Grande’s character introduces the “boss” and walks with musical guest Cher, who takes on the role. “There she is, the CEO of eggnog at Delta. Ma’am, what an honor,” Grande’s character quips.

“Ma’mm, I just wanted to say it’s been an honor working for you, and any success I have after this will be thanks to this place. Before I go, do you have any feedback for me?” Yang’s character says to Cher.  “Well, everyone thought you were a little too gay. But you know what? You’re perfect to me,” Cher’s character responds before pulling in Yang for a hug.

Ariana Grande and Cher as key players in your last Saturday Night Live skit? I can’t imagine a better way to send off a gay man.

While Yang hasn’t officially confirmed what is next for him after exiting Saturday Night Live, we do know he is attached to star in Warner Bros. Pictures Animation’s upcoming ‘The Cat in the Hat’ adaptation, which is set to hit theaters on November 6, 2026.