Chloe Fineman has announced her departure from NBC's "Saturday Night Live" after seven seasons as a cast member. The comedian shared the news on Instagram, calling her tenure on the show "the greatest privilege of my life."
"I still can’t really believe I got to be a part of it. I fell in love with the place the second I walked through the door," Fineman wrote in her post. She also expressed gratitude to "Lorne" – presumably SNL creator Lorne Michaels – stating, "I want you to know that I am forever in your debt."
Fineman, who will turn 38 on July 20, has secured a supporting role in the upcoming Apple Original film "The Dink," a comedy centered on the sport of pickleball. Additionally, she is reportedly in negotiations to co-star in "Myron Bolitar," a drama series for Netflix based on Harlan Coben's book series.
A Legacy of Impressions
During her time on SNL, Fineman established herself as a versatile performer, particularly noted for her extensive repertoire of celebrity impersonations. Her notable impressions include those of Drew Barrymore, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Britney Spears, Timothée Chalamet, Miley Cyrus, JoJo Siwa, and Jennifer Coolidge. Fineman previously highlighted the effectiveness of pre-taped sketches, such as "The Understudy," as a way to showcase impressions.
"Impressions are one of the harder things to get on the show if it's not a political cold open," Fineman noted in a video segment. She praised the show's use of "audition" pre-tapes, which allowed cast members to quickly perform impressions. "And I think there’s something really amazing about the one line, short little way to capture the essence of somebody."
She recalled her first pre-taped impression, a parody of Drew Barrymore's daytime talk show in 2020, with fondness. Reflecting on her SNL experience, Fineman described the show as a variety program where she felt at home contributing through impressions and commentary on pop culture. "Doing the impression with love is the name of the game on this show. It’s like your best friend making fun of you, in like, a loving way," she said.
Fellow 2019 Hires
Fineman joined SNL in 2019 alongside Bowen Yang and Shane Gillis. While Yang received a formal farewell sketch upon his mid-season departure, and Fineman leaves without such fanfare, their paths contrast with Gillis. Gillis was fired from the show within days of being hired but has since seen his comedy career flourish, including hosting SNL twice and performing stand-up at Lincoln Financial Field.
While auditions for SNL typically require potential cast members to demonstrate their impersonation skills, certain cast members specialize in the craft. Fineman cited Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Cecily Strong as inspirations and noted Melissa Villaseñor as a significant impressionist who preceded her. Fineman herself has been considered a prominent impressionist during her tenure.
The show is expected to continue finding new talent to fill its cast, a pattern observed throughout its history.