Bowen Yang, one of the most celebrated cast members of Saturday Night Live (SNL) in recent years, is saying farewell to Studio 8H. After seven seasons on air—following a year behind the scenes as a writer—Yang’s final episode will air on December 21, 2025, capping a run marked by firsts, fan-favorite impressions, and a wave of heartfelt goodbyes from colleagues and fans alike.
Yang’s journey on SNL began in 2018, not in front of the camera, but as a staff writer for the show’s 44th season. According to LateNighter, his first writing credit to hit the airwaves came during the October 2018 episode hosted by Awkwafina, where he co-wrote the host’s monologue and the sketch “The Hidden Tales of Egypt.” But even before his words reached viewers’ ears, Yang made a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo in his very first episode, appearing in Kyle Mooney’s behind-the-scenes short “A New Kyle.”
In 2019, Yang’s role shifted dramatically. Promoted to on-air talent for Season 45, he made SNL history as the show’s first Asian cast member. His debut came in the cold open of the season premiere, portraying then-presidential candidate Andrew Yang in a CNN town hall parody. Though his first appearance was brief—delivering just a single line—it set the stage for a string of memorable performances and impressions that would become his trademark.
Yang’s meteoric rise was fueled by his versatility and wit. Within his second episode as a cast member, he appeared on “Weekend Update” as Chen Biao, a fictional Chinese trade representative. The character, co-written by Yang, Sudi Green, and Jasmine Pierce, quickly became a recurring favorite, returning six times to dissect global politics with a comedic twist. As NBC News recounted, Yang’s ability to embody a wide range of characters—from viral pygmy hippo Moo Deng to the infamous iceberg that sank the Titanic—made him a standout in a cast brimming with talent.
Perhaps most notably, Yang didn’t shy away from using his platform to address serious issues. In March 2021, during a “Weekend Update” segment, he appeared as himself to speak out against the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in the United States. It was a poignant moment, showing that SNL’s comedy could also serve as a vehicle for empathy and awareness.
As his tenure progressed, Yang’s star only grew brighter. He became a fixture in multiple sketches per episode, delivering spot-on impressions of figures like Rep. George Santos, photographer Fran Lebowitz, and pop star Charli XCX. His comedic range was matched by his work ethic—juggling SNL with outside projects, including the hit podcast “Las Culturistas” (co-hosted with Matt Rogers), the 2022 romantic comedy “Fire Island,” and major roles in the musical “Wicked” (2024) and its sequel, “Wicked: For Good” (2025).
But all good things must come to an end. On December 20, 2025, Yang announced on Instagram that the upcoming Christmas episode—hosted by his “Wicked” co-star Ariana Grande, with Cher as musical guest—would be his last. In a heartfelt post, Yang wrote, “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 added, “I’m grateful for every minute of my time there. Thank you to Lorne for the job, for the standard, and for bringing everyone at work together.”
Friends and fans quickly flooded his social media with tributes. Actor Evan Ross Katz called Yang’s run “iconic (understatement),” while Andy Cohen simply wrote, “Bravo.” Even Ariana Grande, who will host Yang’s final episode, weighed in, recalling how she had personally lobbied SNL creator Lorne Michaels to accommodate Yang’s schedule for “Wicked.” “You exhausted yourself and worked yourself to the bone,” she said, emphasizing the lengths Yang went to in order to balance his commitments.
The timing of Yang’s departure caught many by surprise, though rumors had swirled for months. As reported by The New York Post and NPR, Yang had considered leaving after SNL’s milestone 50th season, but was convinced to stay on by Michaels and the network—reportedly with a generous offer. Insiders noted that Yang had expressed a desire to move on, possibly spending time in Japan, and that his decision to leave was ultimately his own. “It’s his choice. People have no idea what is really going on,” an insider told The Post. “This has come out of the blue, but is no surprise.”
Yang himself has spoken openly about the natural turnover at SNL and the need for established cast members to make way for new talent. In an interview with People earlier this year, he reflected, “It’s this growing, living thing where new people come in and you do have to sort of make way for them and to grow and to keep elevating themselves. That inevitably requires me to sort of hang it up at some point—but I don’t know what the vision is yet.”
His departure comes amid a period of significant change for SNL. The show, which celebrated its 50th anniversary with a star-studded special in February, has seen several cast members exit in 2025, including Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim. Lorne Michaels, speaking at the 2025 Emmys, addressed the ongoing cast shakeups, noting, “The show has always brought people in from different ages and different generations, and it’s how it revives itself. It’s always hard when people leave but there’s a time for that and our audiences always stayed relatively young and more so now with TikTok, and change is good. And the people we’re bringing in I’m really excited about.”
Yang’s legacy at SNL is already cemented. He’s earned five Emmy nominations for his work on the show and leaves behind a highlight reel that includes not just memorable characters and sketches, but also a willingness to push boundaries and speak to real-world issues. His career, however, is far from over. With major film, podcast, and theater projects already under his belt—and more likely on the horizon—fans will no doubt be following his next steps closely.
As the curtain falls on Yang’s SNL era, the outpouring of admiration from fans and colleagues alike is a testament to his impact—not just as a comedian, but as a trailblazer who helped redefine what it means to be a star on one of TV’s most storied stages.
