Comedian Bowen Yang has announced his departure from Saturday Night Live (SNL) after a remarkable eight-season run. Yang’s final appearance aired on December 20, 2025, featuring a duet with pop star Ariana Grande. The announcement came through a heartfelt note on his social media, where he reflected on his time with the iconic show.
In his emotional message, Yang expressed gratitude for his experiences at SNL, stating, “I loved working at SNL, and most of all, I loved the people.” He described how his tenure at 30 Rock coincided with challenging global events, saying that the experience taught him the importance of showing up when surrounded by supportive colleagues.
Yang continued, “I’m grateful for every minute of my time there. I learned about myself (bad with wigs), and I learned about others (generous, vulnerable, hot).” His candid reflections highlighted the lessons he learned about human error and the complexities of comedy, which he described as “mostly logistics” that often fail before succeeding.
His farewell message also included thanks to his colleagues, both on-screen and behind the scenes, for their support throughout his journey. He specifically acknowledged Ariana Grande for her role in his final episode, stating, “Thank you to Ari for sending me off in the dreamiest way I could imagine.” He concluded his note with a lighthearted remark: “The show doesn’t go on because it’s ready, but sh–, I hope I am.”
Yang’s announcement has drawn an outpouring of support from fellow entertainers, with numerous Hollywood stars, including Jason Momoa, Walton Goggins, Pedro Pascal, Brittany Snow, and Simu Liu, responding to his post with messages of love and encouragement.
Having joined SNL as a writer in 2018 during Season 44, Yang transitioned to a featured cast member in Season 45. His contributions to the show have garnered him five Primetime Emmy nominations. Beyond SNL, he has also made a mark in the entertainment industry through roles in the Wicked movies and the series Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens.
Yang’s departure marks the end of an era for SNL, where he has left an indelible mark on the show’s legacy. As he embarks on new ventures, fans and colleagues alike will surely remember his unique contributions and the joy he brought to the iconic late-night program.
