Kate McKinnon and Pete Davidson are among those departing “Saturday Night Live,” leaving the sketch institution without two of their most famous names following Saturday’s 47th season finale.
Eddie Bryant and Kyle Mooney will also leave the cast after the episode hosted by Natasha Lyonne.
The departure represents one of the biggest casts in years on a show that has seen unusual consistency in recent seasons.
McKinnon, 38, won two Emmys and was nominated for nine of her 10 seasons on the show, during which her impressions included Hillary Clinton and former Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Her comic chops with characters like alien kidnapper Miss Rafferty often lead the cast and guest hosts to lose it live on air.
McKinnon begins the show with a play Out of the World, and says her final goodbyes on “Earth”.
“I love you, thank you for letting me be a while. Live from New York, it’s Saturday night,” she said at the show’s opening.
Davidson, 28, joined the cast in 2014 and has appeared in eight seasons. His own big personality often outweighs the characters he plays. His comic commentary as himself on “Weekend Update” was often his most viral bits. And he was also known for the rest of his life offscreen – dating Ariana Grande and current girlfriend Kim Kardashian.
“I never thought this would be my life,” Davidson said during the show. “I always appreciate SNL for giving me a pat on my back, allowing me to work on myself and grow. Thanks to Lorne for not believing in me and for allowing me a place in which I live with those memories.” I can call home with you that will last for life. Thank you.”
Bryant, 35, joined the cast at the same time as McKinnon and has been a frequent feature of sketches since, receiving four Emmy nominations of his own.
Mooney, 37, appeared in nine seasons since 2013.
