Chris Redd.Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
Chris Reddis leavingSaturday Night Live, PEOPLE can confirm.
The comedian — who has been with the long-running NBC sketch show for five seasons, impersonating the likes ofKanye Westand MayorEric Adams, among others — is the latest cast member to exitSNLbefore its 48th season.
“Being a part ofSNLhas been the experience of a lifetime. Five years ago, I walked into 30 Rock knowing that this was an amazing opportunity for growth,” Redd, 37, said in a statement. “Now, with friends who have become family and memories I will cherish forever, I’m grateful to [creator] Lorne Michaels and to the entireSNLorganization. From the bottom of my heart, I can’t thank you all enough.”
Saturday Night Live/Youtube
Redd first joinedSNLas a featured player in September 2017 for season 43 before being promoted to repertory status in 2019 ahead of the show’s 45th season. During his time on the series, Redd scored a Primetime Emmy for outstanding original music and lyrics in 2018 for the song “Come Back Barack.”
His exit follows a mass exodus ahead of the show’s 48th season. Longtime cast membersKate McKinnon,Aidy Bryant,Kyle MooneyandPete Davidsonleft the show after theseason 47 finale.
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PEOPLE confirmedearlier this month that three additionalSNLcomedians — cast membersMelissa VillaseñorandAlex Moffat, as well as featured comedianAristotle Athari— would not return for season 48.
Longtime sketch show producer and talent chiefLindsay Shookusalso announced her exit from the series in August.
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Last week,SNLrevealedthat new cast membersMarcello Hernandez,Molly Kearney,Michael LongfellowandDevon Walkerwill join the show ahead of its upcoming season.
At the 74th PrimetimeEmmy Awards,SNLcreatorLorne Michaelssaid that season 48 “will be a transition year, and the change years are always difficult.”
“There are new people, and things are changing, and a different generation comes into the show,” Michaels, 77,told reportersbackstage afterSNLpicked up its sixth consecutive outstanding variety series trophy.
source: people.com
