Kate McKinnon and Pete Davidson are among several cast members of the long-time-running ‘Saturday Night Live’ show to announce their departures. Aidy Bryant and Kyle Mooney will be taking their leave as well following the 47th season finale hosted by Natasha Lyonne.
In one of the biggest case shake-ups in years, ‘SNL’ will be left without arguably two of their most famous names in a time where the show has seen unusual steadiness in recent seasons.
McKinnon won two Emmys and was nominated for nine in her ten seasons on the show, with impressions of Hillary Clinton and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions being among the best she had done. She gave her gratitude and bid her farewell to open the show: “I lova ya, thanks for letting me stay awhile. Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night.”
Pete Davidson joined the cast of the show back in 2014 and has appeared in eight seasons since. He’s most well-known for his comic commentaries on himself on “Weekend Update.” His life offscreen has blown up as of late after a relationship with popular artist Ariana Grande and now with girlfriend Kim Kardashian.
“I never imagined this would be my life,” shared Davidson during the show. “I appreciate SNL for always having my back, for allowing to work on myself and grow. Thank you to Lorne for never giving up on me or judging me when everyone else was, for believing in me and allowing me to have a place I call home with the memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you.”
Bryant joined the cast at the same time as McKinnon and has been a constant since, having collected four Emmy nominations of her own.
Mooney appeared in nine seasons dating back to 2013.