Bowen Yang Exits ‘Saturday Night Live’ Cast

Bowen Yang has departed the cast of NBC’s ‘Saturday Night Live’ after five seasons as a featured player and performer. The comedian joined the sketch series in 2019 and earned promotion to repertory status in 2021. Yang’s final episode airs as part of the show’s 2025 slate, hosted by his ‘Wicked’ co-star Ariana Grande.

Yang portrayed numerous memorable characters and impressions across 110 episodes. His roles included Fran Lebowitz, George Santos, and the iceberg that sank the Titanic. The performer received four Emmy nominations for supporting actor in a comedy series between 2021 and 2024.

The exit follows Yang’s expanded film career highlighted by the blockbuster ‘Wicked’. He played Pfannee opposite Grande’s Glinda in the Jon M. Chu-directed adaptation. The musical grossed over $700 million worldwide and secured a sequel release in November 2025.

‘Saturday Night Live’ maintains its long-running format with creator Lorne Michaels as executive producer. The series entered its 51st season in fall 2025 featuring returning cast members including Mikey Day, Ego Nwodim, and Kenan Thompson. New additions joined the ensemble earlier in the year.

Yang’s contributions extended to recurring sketches like the “Proud Parents” series and cultural commentary segments. He co-hosted the ‘Las Culturistas’ podcast with Matt Rogers throughout his tenure. The performer appeared in projects including ‘Bros’ and ‘Fire Island’ prior to ‘Wicked’.

NBC confirmed the departure without specifying future guest appearances. Yang’s run aligned with increased diversity in the cast representation. The comedian frequently addressed Asian American experiences through his material.

Grande’s hosting stint marks a return for the pop star turned actress. She previously hosted in 2014 and appeared as a musical guest multiple times. The episode features promotional tie-ins with ‘Wicked Part Two’ content.

Industry observers note Yang’s trajectory toward leading film roles post-departure. His performance in the ensemble-driven ‘Wicked’ showcased dramatic range alongside comedic timing. The franchise adaptation dominated 2024 and 2025 box office charts.

‘Saturday Night Live’ continues weekly broadcasts from Studio 8H in New York. The program holds records as the longest-running sketch comedy series on television. Cast turnover remains a staple of its production cycle.