Actor/comedian Bill Hader is leaving “Saturday Night Live” after eight years. Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty Images
Bill Hader is leaving “Saturday Night Live” after eight years on the show. The current season will be his last, according to the New York Times. He’ll make his final appearance as a cast member in Saturday’s season finale.
Hader has become such a versatile player that it’s hard to imagine “SNL” without him — and it sounds like he’s having a little trouble with it himself. “It was a hard decision, but it has to happen at some point,” Mr. Hader told the Times. “It got to a point where I said, ‘Maybe it’s just time to go.'”
Hader made a name for himself as a deft impressionist and a creator of hilarious characters like Italian talk show host Vinny Vedecci and frequent “Weekend Update” guest Stefon. Last year, he received an Emmy nomination for supporting actor in a comedy series, a rare honor for a “Saturday Night Live” cast member.
Hader’s post-“SNL” schedule is already filling up. He’ll star in the upcoming film “The To-Do List,” written and directed by his wife, Maggie Carey.
This is the second major cast departure this spring. “SNL” star and head writer Seth Meyers has been tapped to take over Jimmy Fallon’s spot on “Late Night,” NBC announced Sunday. Meyers will begin at the helm of the 12:35 a.m. timeslot next year when current host Jimmy Fallon moves to “The Tonight Show.”
