The moment we dreaded is here: Cecily Strong has left Saturday Night Live after 11 seasons. SNL broke the news of her departure on social media just hours before the Austin Butler-hosted episode aired last night. “Tonight we’re sending away one of the best that ever made it. We’ll miss you Cecily!” the show’s account wrote on Instagram. The farewell post included a shot of Strong as the girl you wouldn’t have struck up a conversation with at a party, as well as a clip of her singing as Fox News host Jeanine Pirro in a pool of wine cases. Strong joined the SNL cast in 2012 and won two Emmy nominations for the show in 2020 and 2021. Her exit comes at the end of a year that saw several other longtime stars exit, including Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney, Chris Redd, and more.
The season 48 cast took time to say goodbye with a sketch of Strong, in which she played a RadioShack employee on her last day. “Every time she came into work, she would have a new character, a new accent, or a new impression that would just blow you away,” said Kenan Thompson. “There was a power and joy to her performance that reminded you why you loved working at RadioShack in the first place.” Butler then allowed Elvis to possess him again to lead the cast in a cover of “Blue Christmas,” with the Text has been adjusted in Strong’s honor. “You’ll be fine every Saturday night,” they sang in the lightly falling snow. “But we’re all going to have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas.”
Posting on her own Instagram after the show, Strong explained that she kept the news of her departure a secret because it was too emotional for her. “I’m sorry I’ve been a little quiet about it in public. I didn’t want to put the extra pressure on something that is already so emotional to me,” she wrote. “And I’m so thankful I’ve had these wonderful last six shows that helped me put myself in there and meet and laugh and probably hug Molly, Marcello, Devon and Michael excessively, which I think are not just brilliantly funny but really are great people. I’m ready to go, but I will always know that my home is here. I’ve had the time of my life working with the greatest people in the world.” Look forward to seeing Strong in Schmigadoon! from Apple TV+ as well as the upcoming Garfield animated film. Watch her rip in her latest SNL appearance as a performer below.
This post has been continuously updated.