Lots of legendary people have graced the stage of “Saturday Night Live.”
But perhaps the most legendary of all the “SNL” figures have been the regular cast members.
Take a look at why some stars left “Saturday Night Live.”
The show would absolutely would have launched for the 1983-84 season, but he was still the main draw.
But the departure wasn’t necessarily what Sandler wanted at the time.
“It was kind of like them asking us to quit.
Lorne was great to us, he wanted to protect us,” Sandler toldThe Hollywood Reporter.
Despite Sandler’s exit, he remained a friend of the show.
The actor returned for various cameo appearances and even hosted an episode in 2019.
In 2006, Fey announced that she was leaving “SNL” to pursue something new her own show.
While the career move was certainly good for Fey, not everyone was pleased with her departure.
“If you’re asking if I’m happy about it, no.
Eventually, Ferrell felt like it was time for him to take a leap and leave “SNL.”
It was a mix of scary and ‘No, this is the right time.’
I don’t know why.
Because there really wasn’t a pile of scripts waiting for me.
It was more like, ‘I’m doing well from the show.
I’m pretty well-known.
Let’s use this momentum to try,'” Ferrell told theWall Street Journalof his decision to leave.
Ferrell was right about the momentum he’d built.
Such was Jimmy Fallon’s aim when he left the show in 2004.
But at the right time, Fallon got a call from an old friend.
As Fallon explained to"Today,“he was initially on the fence.
“But I just always knew it was going to be seven and that was it.
Wiig was right about what she’d be doing when she left making movies.
At some point, most cast members have to bow out.
Kate McKinnon did exactly that in 2022 after 10 years on the show.
“All I ever wanted to do in my whole life was be on ‘Saturday Night Live.’
“after her departure, noting that it was a difficult decision.
She also has a couple of Emmy Award wins under her belt.
Immediately after her exit, McKinnon wasn’t sure she could.
“I don’t know what I will do.
It’s my family,” she said.
“For me, it was like I can’t actually endure it anymore.
“I got to a place where I hadn’t slept in seven years …
I just kind of fell apart physically,” he said.
In talking to other cast members, Samberg realized that he wasn’t alone in feeling beat up.
“Everyone was like, ‘Oh, yes, yes.
This is just what happens.’
Like, you hit a wall.
We’re not built to operate that way.”
Samberg might have been a bit more tired than the rest of his cast members, though.
Though a lot to handle, Samberg’s contributions did not go unnoticed.
Chase left “SNL” early in the second season.
And it wasn’t necessarily a decision that made him happy.
“It was strange because I missed it right away.
And I still miss it,” Chase added.
You know, that was a great group of people.
So I missed them, too.”
But Louis-Dreyfus was most certainly on “Saturday Night Live.”
“I was unbelievably naive and I didn’t really understand how the dynamics of the place worked.
Louis-Dreyfus decided that she wasn’t going to continue working in an environment that didn’t make her happy.
“I learned I wasn’t going to do anymore of this show business crap unless it was fun.
“SNL” wasn’t all bad for Louis-Dreyfus, though.
Morgan was excited for viewers to see the show.
“This character gets to show people in the public that I’m a dad.
They get to see the struggle.
Unfortunately for Morgan, the eponymous sitcom didn’t take off.
It only ran for one season before cancellation.
But Morgan’s career was far from over.
The “SNL” alum went on to join Fey inthe cast of “30 Rock.
