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Key Points

Devon Walker says his departure from Saturday Night Live was a mutual decision between him and the show. He felt ready to pursue other life opportunities after his time on the series. The exit comes alongside Heidi Gardner's departure after eight seasons with the show. Multiple cast members are leaving ahead of SNL's 51st season.

Key Points: Devon Walker Reveals Mutual Decision to Leave SNL After 5 Seasons

  • Walker describes exit as mutual decision with SNL producers
  • Cites missing out on life experiences during show commitment
  • Heidi Gardner also leaving after eight seasons on SNL
  • Season 51 sees multiple cast departures including Michael Longfellow
2 min read

We both felt like it was time: Devon Walker on his SNL exit

SNL cast member Devon Walker opens up about his mutual departure with the show, citing readiness for new life chapters alongside fellow exits.

"We both felt like it was time. This was such a big time commitment, and life commitment. - Devon Walker"

Washington, DC, August 31

Devon Walker indicated earlier this week that Saturday Night Live fans are perhaps taking his and his fellow cast members' departures harder than the actors themselves.

He also revealed that the decision to leave SNL was a mutual one, reported Deadline.

"The big question," Walker began when asked by Rolling Stone in a new interview, if his exit was by choice.

"To be frank, I guess the best way I put it is like me and the show kind of looked at each other and we decided together that it was time to go our separate ways. I think I felt ready to leave the show, and I think the show felt ready to leave me," said Devon Walker as quoted by Deadline.

He continued, "I was just ready to do something else. We both felt like it was time. This was such a big time commitment, and life commitment. There's been a lot of life stuff that I feel like I've had to miss out on. And I felt ready to do a different version of my life. I think that the show and I are both ready to turn the page," as quoted by Deadline.

After Walker's exit, actress Heidi Gardner will also be exiting 'Saturday Night Live' after eight seasons, reported Deadline.

The news comes amid a shake-up at the NBC sketch comedy series, which this week saw the departure of Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim and Devon Walker ahead of Season 51.

Last season, Gardner was the longest-tenured current female cast member. In Season 49, she appeared in more sketches than any other cast member, according to the outlet.

The actress is well-known for her 'Weekend Update' characters, including the teen movie critic Bailey Gismert and Angel, "every boxer's girlfriend from every movie about boxing ever."

Outside of "SNL," Gardner has appeared in TV series 'Shrinking' alongside Jason Segel, as well as 'The Other Two' and the Adam Sandler basketball movie 'Hustle.'

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Mutual departures are always healthier than dramatic exits. Shows maturity on both sides. Though I'll miss Heidi Gardner's characters - her Weekend Update segments were brilliant! 😊
A
Aman W
Respect his honesty about missing out on life stuff. SNL schedule must be brutal. Hope the new cast brings fresh energy - need more diverse voices and perspectives!
S
Sarah B
Big shoes to fill! Heidi Gardner was consistently the best part of recent seasons. Her characters were so well-developed. Hope she gets great opportunities post-SNL!
V
Vikram M
SNL needs to bring in more international perspectives. Would love to see Indian or South Asian comedians in the cast! The show could use that diversity boost for sure.
M
Michael C
While I understand the need for change, losing so many experienced cast members at once worries me. Hope the new season doesn't suffer from too much inexperience at once.

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