Liputan6.com, Jakarta Acclaimed actress and comedian Heidi Gardner has officially announced her departure from the popular sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL).
This decision marks the end of Gardner's eight-season run with the iconic program, which she has called home since joining in 2017.
The announcement came on Thursday, August 28, 2025, ahead of the start of SNL's 51st season.
The departure of Gardner, who was promoted to a permanent cast member in 2019, comes amidst a major overhaul of the SNL cast.
She is the longest-serving female cast member on SNL and the fourth to announce her departure in the same week, following Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and Michael Longfellow.
In a previous interview in February 2025, Heidi Gardner hinted at "sketch fatigue" and a strong desire to explore projects outside of SNL.
Speaking to comedian Craig Ferguson, who used to host The Late Late Show, on his podcast Joy, she said, “I will say the only thing that I’ve started to feel a little bit is just sketch fatigue, or idea fatigue,” she admitted.
“At this point, after doing Groundlings and SNL for so long, I’m like, ‘I’ve written a lot of sketches.’”
Heidi Gardner's Career Journey on SNL
Heidi Gardner began her journey on Saturday Night Live as a featured player in its 43rd season in 2017 and then promoted to a permanent cast member in 2019.
During her eight seasons on SNL, Heidi Gardner has created a number of iconic characters beloved by fans.
Among them are teen film critic Bailey Gismert, and Angel, known as "Every Boxer's Girlfriend From Every Movie About Boxing Ever" on the "Weekend Update" segment.
Her ability to impersonate Jill Biden has also been frequently highlighted and praised.
One of Heidi Gardner's most memorable moments on SNL in 2024 was the "Beavis and Butt-head" sketch.
"Saturday Night Live" returns to NBC on October 4th with the premiere of its 51st season.
The new season comes right after the show's historic 50th anniversary celebration, which featured several documentaries, a Radio City Music Hall concert special, and a three-hour television broadcast with "SNL" legends.
Full Profile of Actress and Comedian Heidi Gardner
Heidi Lynn Gardner, born on July 27, 1983, in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, is 42 years old as of August 2025.
Before pursuing a career in comedy, she attended the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri.
Gardner is also an alumna of Notre Dame de Sion, an all-girls Catholic high school, from which she graduated in 2001.
At the age of 21, she dropped out of college and moved to Los Angeles, where she worked in a hair salon for nine years.
A turning point in her life came after attending a performance at The Groundlings, which inspired her to study improvisation and sketch comedy there.
She joined the Sunday Company in 2014 and in 2015, she was promoted to the Main Company while preparing her for bigger stages like Saturday Night Live.
Heidi Gardner's Projects and Personal Life Outside of SNL
Heidi Gardner's success on Saturday Night Live opened doors for projects outside the show.
She appeared in a supporting role in the film Hustle (2022) opposite Adam Sandler, showcasing her talents on the big screen.
Gardner also played Grace in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking, expanding her acting reach to the streaming platform.
Heidi Gardner's portfolio also includes numerous other films and TV series.
She has appeared in films such as Life of the Party (2018), Making Babies (2018), and Otherhood (2019).
On television, she has provided voice work for animated series like SuperMansion and American Dad!, as well as appearances on Mike Tyson Mysteries and Girls5eva.
Gardner has also served as a judge on the HBO Max talent competition, Second Chance Stage.
In her personal life, Heidi Gardner is known for being a die-hard fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals.
Despite frequently being in New York City for SNL, Gardner still chooses to live in Leawood, Kansas, as her primary residence.