Heidi Gardner, who has been on “Saturday Night Live” for eight seasons, won’t be returning to the show, according to multiple reports.
Gardner played a number of recurring characters, including two who appeared on the “Weekend Update” segment: Angel, a stereotype of a girlfriend from boxing movies, and teen film critic Bailey Gismert.
Last year, she memorably broke character during the instantly iconic “Beavis And Butt-Head” sketch, then caused her fellow cast members to break up on the air while she stuffed her face during the “Mile High Burger Challenge” sketch during the most recent season.
Gardner had been the show’s longest-serving female member of the current cast, the Hollywood Reporter noted. The departure makes Gardner the fourth cast member to leave after Michael Longfellow, Emil Wakim and Devon Walker.
Walker roasted the show’s “toxic as hell” work environment as he announced his departure on social media, while Wakim called his dismissal a “gut punch.”
Writers Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker are also leaving, with more departures possible after “SNL” creator/executive producer Lorne Michaels promised a major shakeup for the show, which is entering its 51st season.
LateNighter reported earlier this week that the show screen-tested potential new “Weekend Update” anchors, hinting at possible exits for current anchors Michael Che and Colin Jost, who’ve been in their positions since 2014.
“Saturday Night Live” returns to television Oct. 4.