Heidi Gardner, one of the longest-running female cast members from Season 43, has officially left Saturday Night Live after eight years. Alongside her, fellow cast members Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim are also departing, signaling the beginning of a major overhaul for Season 51.
New York, August 29, 2025 – In a headline-making move, Heidi Gardner, the Kansas City–born comedian, has officially confirmed her departure from Saturday Night Live (SNL) after eight seasons — from her debut in Season 43 (2017) to the milestone Season 50. Gardner first joined the show as a featured player in 2017 and was promoted to repertory player in 2019.
Her exit is not an isolated event. Several other cast members have also announced they won’t be returning for Season 51, including Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim. The shake-up also extends behind the scenes, with longtime writers like Celeste Yim (the show’s first trans writer) and Rosebud Baker also confirming their departures.
Altogether, this marks the start of what many see as a massive “revamp” by Lorne Michaels, who previously admitted feeling the pressure to reinvent SNL following its landmark 50th anniversary season.
Heidi Gardner leaves behind a legacy of memorable roles and characters. Fans will remember her as Jill Biden, Kim Kardashian, and her original characters like Bailey Gismert and Angel — the quirky girlfriend of a boxer featured on Weekend Update. One of her most viral moments was the unforgettable Beavis and Butt-Head sketch, where she struggled to contain her laughter live on air.
Outside of SNL, Gardner has broadened her career with roles in Adam Sandler’s Hustle (Netflix, 2022) and the Apple TV+ series Shrinking, where she starred alongside Harrison Ford and Jason Segel.
Back in February 2025, Gardner had hinted at experiencing “sketch fatigue” in interviews, sparking speculation that she might not stay with the show much longer. SNL, however, has not issued any official statement regarding the specific reasons for her departure.
Fans and colleagues alike expressed sadness at the news while also cheering her on for future creative endeavors. Former cast member Punkie Johnson commented that the sudden wave of exits made her feel “like the departed,” underscoring just how dramatic this moment of transition feels for the cast.