Chloe Fineman is leaving Saturday Night Live after seven seasons

Chloe Fineman has concluded her seven-season tenure on Saturday Night Live, marking a significant moment for the long-running sketch comedy show as it prepares for its 52nd season. The comedian announced her departure via an Instagram post on July 16, 2026, reflecting on her time at the NBC series and expressing gratitude to its creators and colleagues.

Fineman, who joined SNL in 2019 as a featured player, became known for her sharp impressions of celebrities such as Drew Barrymore, Timothée Chalamet, and Jennifer Coolidge, as well as her contributions to iconic sketches like “Snack Homiez” and the “Domingo” series. In her statement, she described the experience as “the greatest privilege of my life,” acknowledging the emotional highs and lows of working on a show that demands relentless creativity and resilience. “You sob uncontrollably when your sketch isn’t picked,” she wrote, recalling the intensity of the process. “You storm into a producer’s office telling them they just made the biggest mistake of their lives. And then you look back a few years later, and it was a sketch called ‘lipstick for thicc dogs.’”

The comedian emphasized that her decision to leave was personal, distinguishing her exit from those of cast members who were let go. “It’s really hard to leave SNL,” she wrote, “but it does feel like the right time.” She thanked show creator Lorne Michaels, joking that he might be reading her post on a “burner account,” and praised the “best people in the business” she worked alongside. Fineman also highlighted the camaraderie she felt, calling the show “my home” and vowing that she would remain connected to the community even as she moves forward.

Her departure comes amid a period of transition for SNL, which has seen multiple cast changes in recent years. Last season, several performers, including Bowen Yang and Ego Nwodim, left the show, prompting speculation about the direction of the upcoming season. Fineman’s exit is the first major shakeup ahead of Season 52, though it remains unclear whether other cast members will follow. The show has historically relied on a rotating roster of talent, with many performers leaving after their initial seven-year contracts.

Fineman’s next steps include a role in Netflix’s adaptation of Harlan Coben’s “Myron Bolitar,” a project she is reportedly negotiating. She has also appeared in films such as Freakier Friday and Megalopolis, as well as voice work for Big Mouth and Despicable Me 4. Despite her growing filmography, she has consistently balanced her SNL commitments, a demanding schedule that has shaped her career trajectory.

Colleagues and fans have praised Fineman for her contributions to the show, with some noting her ability to blend humor with heartfelt storytelling. Her departure underscores the ever-changing nature of SNL, a platform that has launched the careers of countless comedians while maintaining its reputation for high-stakes, live television. As the show moves forward, it will seek new talent to fill the void left by Fineman, even as she carries the lessons and memories of her time on Studio 8H into her next chapter.

“I’m going to miss it a lot,” Fineman wrote. “But the people who work there are my family, and that place is my home, and I know I’ll never be too far away.”