Kenan Thompson says he’s ‘definitely’ thinking about leaving ‘SNL.’
Kenan Thompson recently mentioned it People that he is “definitely” thinking about leaving “Saturday Night Live” and is worried that parting ways “might be.” Thompson has appeared on “SNL” since 2003.
“There’s just so many layers to it. It’s not just the screen that you see in that one camera shot,” Thompson said. “There’s so many people behind the scenes and years and years and years with each of those people. So it’s going to be a lot.”
He then joked, “Maybe I should just rip the Band-Aid and run out the back door and not tell anyone and just write letters.”
As ‘SNL’s’ longest-running cast member, Thompson has seen many of his co-stars come and go. He said it’s “usually always sad” when someone leaves the show. Season 51 of “SNL” saw the departure of several longtime cast members, with the most recent departure being Bowen Yang.
“It’s hard for me because I don’t have the moment yet,” Thompson said. “You know, if I was on the other side of it, I’d be a little more like, ‘Yeah, you know, it’s all good,’ like, ‘Shake it off.’ But I dread the moment. I could break down right now because it’s been so many years and so many relationships and…”
He continued, “That will be a drastic change at this point that I never thought ‘SNL’ would be such a big part of my life. I never thought I would even get the job.”
In May 2025, Thompson hinted at the major cast shakeup in season 51. Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim all left before the season started, with Yang being the last to leave midway through.
“Especially this year, where it feels like maybe a lot will change next year,” Thompson told Page Six. “You want everyone to stay forever, knowing that people might be making decisions this summer… it’s always like you want your kids to stay young.”
A few new faces joined “SNL” for season 51, including Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska. About the new additions, SNL mastermind Lorne Michaels told Entertainment Tonight, “Change is good. I’m really excited about the people we’re bringing in.”
