Heidi Gardner will bid adieu to her live performances from New York's stage. After eight fruitful seasons as a cornerstone of "Saturday Night Live," where she charmed audiences with her iconic "Weekend Update" characters, notably Angel, alias "Every Boxer’s Girlfriend From Every Movie About Boxing Ever," the 42-year-old talent is departing Lorne Michaels' long-standing sketch comedy series, as confirmed by several sources. E! News has reached out to Heidi's representative for comment, awaiting a response with bated breath.
In a similar vein, Michael Longfellow, another beloved cast member, has announced his exit from the NBC show after three exhilarating seasons. On August 28, he posted on Instagram, "Won't be returning for a fourth season at SNL. Wish I was, but such is life." He reminisced, "It was the best three years of my life thus far, filled with immense gratitude for the experience and everyone involved. Lorne, you bestowed upon me the greatest job in the world, transforming my life. You even featured my mom on TV. Thank you scarcely suffices, but thank you nonetheless." He added, "I'll miss it all deeply, but most of all, the friends I made and the daily camaraderie."
Heidi and Michael join a lengthening list of SNL alumni saying goodbye, including Devon Walker, who announced his departure on social media earlier this week. On August 25, the 34-year-old captioned his Instagram post with a poignant, "Me and baby broke up," accompanied by behind-the-scenes snapshots from his tenure. He reflected, "Me and the show shared three years together—sometimes magical, sometimes toxic as hell. Yet, we made the most of it amidst the dysfunction, creating a flawed yet cherished little family." Devon likened his job in the industry to a series of short-lived marriages, noting, "Some last a lifetime if we're lucky, but most are fleeting."
Emil Wakim, a recent addition to the cast, also revealed he would not be returning for a second season as a featured player. On August 27, the 36-year-old shared on Instagram, "I won’t be returning to SNL next year. Receiving that call was heart-wrenching, yet I'm endlessly grateful for my time there." He continued, "Each time I swiped into the building, I marveled at the privilege of working in such a storied place. It was the most terrifying, exhilarating, and fulfilling experience of my life, one I'll deeply miss, along with the brilliant souls who made it a home." With heartfelt thanks, Emil concluded, "Thank you, Lorne, for taking a chance on me and forever altering my destiny."
