Chloe Fineman is leaving "Saturday Night Live" after seven seasons. She announced her departure in an Instagram post on July 16, 2026, becoming the first cast member to exit ahead of Season 52.

Fineman, an actor-comedian, shared a lengthy message on the social media platform expressing gratitude for her time on the long-running sketch comedy show. "After 7 wonderful seasons at SNL I have decided it’s time for my next chapter," she wrote. She added, "It’s really hard to leave SNL but it does feel like the right time," and acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision by saying, "I’m going to miss it a lot."

In her post, Fineman reflected on the profound impact the show had on her professional and personal life. "It’s cliche to say this but working at SNL has been the greatest privilege of my life," she said. She described her immediate connection to the show’s environment, noting, "I fell in love with the place the second I walked through the door," and added, "I still can’t really believe I got to be a part of it." Her appreciation extended to executive producer Lorne Michaels, to whom she wrote, "Lorne (if you’re reading this on your burner account) I want you to know that I am forever in your debt."

Fineman emphasized the sense of community she found during her tenure. "Every day I was lucky enough to be surrounded by the best people in the business, and I was constantly amazed watching them work," she said. Though departing, she underscored her enduring ties to the show and its staff.

"But the people who work there are my family and that place is my home, and I know I’ll never be too far away," she wrote. Her post concluded with a characteristically playful note: "And I swear to God, one day, sometime in the future, they WILL make lipstick for thicc dogs."

Fineman joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live" in 2019 for Season 45, entering alongside Bowen Yang and Shane Gillis. Over the course of her seven seasons, she became widely recognized for her impressions of celebrities including Jennifer Coolidge, Timothée Chalamet, Drew Barrymore, Britney Spears, and JoJo Siwa. By Season 51, she was the longest-tenured female cast member on the show. At age 37, Fineman is now set to take on a new role in the Netflix drama series "Myron Bolitar," where she will appear alongside Colin Woodell, KJ Apa, and Diane Guerrero.