Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty
“Tonight we send off one of the best to ever do it. We’ll miss you, Cecily!“SNLwrotealongside a photograph of a sign that read, “We’ll miss you, Cecily.”
The post also included an image of the actress performing as one of her many characters besideMichael Cheon Weekend Update, as well as a clip of Strong’sJeanine Pirro impression.
Strong was only to be involved for half the currentSNLseason, as she looks forward to new opportunities.
“No way. You will be missed,” one user wrote, as another called her leaving, “A huge loss.” One other added: “Nooooooo. She is a legend through and through 😢.”
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Strong first joinedSNLback in September 2012 during the show’s season 38. The following year, she began hosting the Weekend Update segment alongsideSeth Meyersand later,Colin Jost, before Che, 39, took over for her at the start of season 40.
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She was promoted to repertory player during season 39 in September 2013, along withAidy BryantandKate McKinnon. (Both Bryant, 35, and McKinnon, 38, have since left the series.)
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During her time on the late-night show, Strong was nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series at the 72nd and 73rd PrimetimeEmmy Awardsin 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Some of her memorable recurring characters included The Girl You Wish You Hadn’t Started a Conversation with at a Party and Cathy Anne.
She also portrayed a number of celebrities during herSNLtenure, includingSofia VergaraandLin-Manuel Miranda, as well as many of the women inDonald Trump’s inner circle, such asMelania Trump,Ivana TrumpandKimberly Guilfoyle.
RELATED VIDEO: Cecily Strong Brings PEOPLE Inside Her New Los Angeles Home
Season 48 ofSNLhas taken place as the comedy sketch series navigates a major cast shakeup. Longtime series regulars McKinnon,Pete Davidson, Bryant andKyle Mooneyexited after theseason 47 finale.
PEOPLE thenconfirmedon Sept. 1 that the series was also losingMelissa VillaseñorandAlex Moffat, as well as featured playerAristotle Athari. Then,Chris Reddannouncedhis departure fromSNLafter five seasons.
On Sept. 15, NBC revealed the four new featured players joiningSNLin season 48:Marcello Hernandez,Molly Kearney,Michael LongfellowandDevon Walker.
SNLwill return in 2023 after Saturday evening’s episode.
source: people.com
