Leslie Jones has confirmed her departure from Saturday Night Live with a goodbye message on social media.
The comedian took to Twitter Tuesday morning to thank the team behind the long-running NBC sketch comedy series, including creator Lorne Michaels.
“Yes it’s true I am leaving Saturday Night Live. I cannot thank NBC, the producers, writers, and amazing crew enough for making SNL my second home these last five years,” she began in a string of tweets. “Lorne Michaels, you’ve changed my life in so many ways! Thank you for being my mentor and confidant…”
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The actress and comedian, who’s leaving to focus on her growing film career, continued by saying Michaels helped her become a better performer.
“You not only have my loyalty but you have my heart too! You have shown me skills I never imagined I had. I leave a better performer because of you. To the incredible cast members: I will miss working, creating and laughing with you,” she added.
Jones then gave shoutouts to cast members Kenan Thompson, Cecily Strong, Kate McKinnon and Colin Jost.
“I will miss holding it down with Kenan everyday, I will miss Cecily’s impression of me making me laugh at myself often, I will miss Kate’s loving hugs and talks when I needed,” she wrote. “And of course Colin, you porcelain-skinned Ken doll. I will miss all my cast mates!!”
1/5
Yes it’s true I am leaving Saturday Night Live. I cannot thank NBC, the producers, writers, and amazing crew enough for making SNL my second home these last five years. Lorne Michaels, you’ve changed my life in so many ways! Thank you for being my mentor and confidant and for pic.twitter.com/OjRrOx5owj— Leslie Jones ? (@Lesdoggg) September 3, 2019
2/5
always having my back. You not only have my loyalty but you have my heart too! You have shown me skills I never imagined I had. I leave a better performer because of you. To the incredible cast members: I will miss working, creating and laughing with you. pic.twitter.com/SStsLjip1B— Leslie Jones ? (@Lesdoggg) September 3, 2019
3/5
I will miss holding it down with Kenan everyday, I will miss Cecily’s impression of me making me laugh at myself often, I will miss Kate’s loving hugs and talks when I needed. And of course Colin, you porcelain-skinned Ken doll. I will miss all my cast mates!! pic.twitter.com/ZYfccj14xn— Leslie Jones ? (@Lesdoggg) September 3, 2019
Jones has been an SNL regular since 2014. She joined the show as a writer before becoming a cast member.
The actress and comedian is currently working on a comedy special for Netflix, and has several movies in production, including the Coming to America sequel with Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall.
Season 45 of Saturday Night Live premieres September 28.
