Why is Devon Walker leaving Saturday Night Live?
Devon Walker bids farewell to SNL after three seasons, sharing his next big move. Credit: Photo credit: Jamie McCarthy/NBC/Getty Images
Devon Walker is officially closing his chapter on Saturday Night Live. After three seasons on the iconic NBC sketch show, the comedian took to Instagram to announce his departure, reflecting on the highs, lows, and lessons learned during his time at Studio 8H.
In his candid post, Walker compared jobs in the entertainment industry to “a bunch of little marriages,” acknowledging that while some last, most are temporary. “Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell. But we made the most of what it was, even amidst all the dysfunction. We made a f***ed up lil family,” he wrote.
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The comedian also used the moment to express gratitude to his close collaborators and friends Alex English and Gary Richardson, fellow SNL writers with whom he once co-hosted the popular DAD comedy show at New York’s Jane Hotel. Reflecting on their journey, Walker celebrated how the trio went from running a bar show to working together at 30 Rock, calling it a surreal milestone.
Walker, never one to shy away from humor, ended his announcement on a lighthearted note. He revealed plans to travel to Japan before setting his sights on a new chapter: acting in a prestige drama, ideally alongside Julianne Moore. “Hope y’all staying hydrated and getting some money today,” he quipped to fans.
To avoid any speculation, Walker followed up with an Instagram story stressing that this is not a setback but a step forward. “Just to be clear, this is good news!” he wrote. “It was just time for me to do something different. Please don’t be hitting me with the ‘I’m so sorry’ — we not on that at ALL. Sometimes mom and dad just don’t see things eye to eye.”
Walker’s departure marks another notable shift for SNL, which has seen a wave of cast changes in recent years. For Walker, however, the move signals fresh opportunities beyond the sketch stage — and perhaps the beginning of a new era in his career.