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After seven seasons of laughter and memorable performances, Ego Nwodim is saying goodbye to Saturday Night Live. The comedian revealed her departure on Friday, September 12, through a heartfelt message on Instagram.
"The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight," Nwodim wrote. "After seven unforgettable seasons, I've decided to leave SNL. I'm incredibly grateful to Lorne [Michaels] for this opportunity, to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship. Week after week on that stage has been the honor of a lifetime."
True to her comedic spirit, she ended her announcement with a joke: "Now, please invite me to your weddings!"
Nwodim joined the cast in Season 44 and quickly became a fan favorite, bringing her sharp wit and bold characters to the show's sketches. One of her standout moments came during Season 50, when a live Weekend Update bit caused such an unfiltered audience response that NBC had to retroactively censor the segment. Nwodim famously quipped on-air, "We're finna get fired for that!", a line that went viral.
Her exit comes amid a major cast shakeup ahead of the show's milestone 51st season. Along with Nwodim, longtime cast members Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim have also confirmed their departures. NBC recently announced five new comedians will be joining the cast when the new season kicks off on October 4.
Showrunner and creator Lorne Michaels hinted at these changes last month, saying he felt "pressure to reinvent this season" as the show heads into a new era.
During her tenure, Nwodim became known for her dynamic performances and ability to bring depth to even the most outrageous characters. Fans and fellow cast members flooded social media with tributes following her announcement, thanking her for seven years of unforgettable moments.
As the curtain falls on her SNL journey, Nwodim leaves behind a legacy of laughter, and plenty of anticipation for what she'll do next. Saturday Night Live returns October 4 on NBC and Peacock with an all-new lineup and plenty of surprises.
