After several seasons on “Saturday Night Live,” Chloe Fineman is reflecting on what it was like to leave the long-running sketch comedy series. While the comedian is excited about what comes next in her career, she admitted that saying goodbye to the iconic show was a bittersweet experience and shed light on her relationship with her former cast members.
On July 16, Chloe Fineman took to Instagram to announce her departure from “Saturday Night Live” after seven seasons. She included a carousel of screengrabs from sketches and photos with her fellow cast members, writing, “It’s cliché to say this but working at SNL has been the greatest privilege of my life. I still can’t really believe I got to be a part of it.”
Fineman also addressed “SNL” creator Lorne Michaels and said, “I want you to know that I am forever in your debt.”
Days after the announcement, The Hollywood Reporter caught up with the comedian and asked her about her departure. Fineman said it was difficult to leave the show and her co-stars.
“It’s a hard show, but the people, it’s because of hours and everything. But, like, it really is a family, and I’ve been crying, like, sweet tears,” she shared.
Following Fineman’s exit announcement, an insider claimed that the comedian found it difficult to establish a rapport with some cast members, as The Blast previously reported. Another source disputed the claim and said she had no issues with her co-workers.
Fineman shed light on her relationship with the “SNL” cast, sharing that she has formed a meaningful bond with them. “I’m genuinely really good friends with everybody and I genuinely couldn’t love that job more. So, it’s really bittersweet,” she explained, adding that she will still be staying in New York, down the street from where “SNL” is filmed.
Why Did Chloe Fineman Leave ‘SNL’?
Fineman’s departure follows the exit of other cast members, including Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, and Bowen Yang, who all bid farewell to the sketch series in 2025. The former left after eight seasons, and the other two exited after seven seasons.
“Seven years is kind of like the classic way,” Fineman said about leaving. The comedian revealed that her contract with “SNL” was about to end when she was presented with an opportunity to pursue another avenue. “It just felt like the perfect time,” she added. As she noted in her social media post, “It’s time for my next chapter.”
Fineman said that her former co-stars have been supportive of her decision, and they have reached out to her. Yang, Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, Marcello Hernandez, and Kenan Thompson all posted sweet replies to her social media post.
“SNL” big boss Lorne Michaels was preoccupied when Fineman called to tell him she was leaving the show. “In classic form, he was watching England vs. Argentina,” she shared.
Lorne said he was going to call her back because he was watching the game, to which Fineman joked, “I assume you’re rooting for England because you’re energetically very British.” Michaels, indeed, returned her call, and while she didn’t share details about what they talked about, she told Variety that they “had a really lovely chat.”
Before joining “SNL,” Fineman was a sketch improv artist and had minor roles on TV. She became a cast member in 2019 and became widely recognized for portraying original recurring characters such as Kelsey and The Snack Homiez Boy. She also impersonated celebrities including Drew Barrymore, Britney Spears, JoJo Siwa, Sydney Sweeney, and Timothée Chalamet.
Chloe Fineman Joins Cast Of Upcoming Netflix Series
Fineman stars in the upcoming sports comedy from Apple Original Films titled “The Dink” alongside Jake Johnson, Ben Stiller, Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris, Patton Oswalt, and Aaron Chen. It is scheduled to be released on July 24.
Furthermore, the comedian landed the role of sports reporter Parker Quinn in Netflix’s “Myron Bolitar,” a drama series based on the collection of thriller novels written by Harlan Coben. The show will focus on the titular character, played by Colin Woodell, a sports agent who protects his clients while navigating the world of professional sports.
“Myron Bolitar” is currently in production, but a release date has yet to be announced.
