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Emil Wakim

Emil Wakim Exits SNL After One Season: What Led to the Surprise Move?

The shake-up at Saturday Night Live continues as Emil Wakim, one of the newest cast members of Season 50, confirmed his exit from the iconic NBC sketch comedy show. The news comes just days after fellow comedian Devon Walker revealed his departure, marking another change in the lineup.

Wakim joined SNL in 2023 alongside Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline. However, his time on the show was relatively brief and under the radar. According to reports, Emil Wakim had the third least screen time this season, placing just above Wickline and Walker.

Story Highlights

  • Emil Wakim exits Saturday Night Live after one season

  • Joined the show in Season 50 with Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline

  • Ranked among the least featured cast members in 2024-2025

  • Made late-night debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

  • Honored as a Just For Laughs “New Face of Comedy” in 2022

Wakim Reflects on the Exit

The Lebanese-American comedian took to Instagram to share his feelings about leaving Saturday Night Live, describing the moment as “a gut punch.”

“I won’t be returning to SNL next year. It was a gut punch of a call to get, but I’m so grateful for my time there,” Wakim wrote.

He went on to share a personal anecdote about where he was when he received the news:
“I was at Six Flags celebrating my friend’s 36th birthday and went on a really emotional walk through Bugs Bunny Park. I stared out across Daffy Duck Lake thinking about life.”

An Emotional Goodbye

For Wakim, the opportunity to work at Saturday Night Live was nothing short of surreal.
“Every time I scanned into the building, I would think how insane it is to get to work there,” he said.

Calling the experience “the most terrifying, thrilling, and rewarding” chapter of his life, Wakim expressed gratitude to executive producer Lorne Michaels.
“Thank you to Lorne for taking a chance on me and changing my life,” he added.

Despite the disappointment, Wakim remains optimistic about what’s next:
“I was so lucky to bring some of myself in there and say things I believed in. I’m excited for whatever chapter comes next. Here’s to making more art without compromise.”

Career Highlights Before SNL

Before joining Saturday Night Live, Emil Wakim had already made a name for himself in the comedy world. In 2022, he made his late-night television debut on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, which is also executive produced by Lorne Michaels.

That same year, Wakim was selected as a New Face of Comedy at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival, a recognition that often signals big things ahead for rising talent. Over the years, Wakim has opened for well-known comedians such as Roy Wood Jr., Nikki Glaser, and Hasan Minhaj.

Currently, Emil Wakim is represented by UTA and Strig Artist Management, and fans can expect more projects from him in the future.

What Emil Wakim’s Exit Means for SNL

With Emil Wakim’s exit, Saturday Night Live continues its period of transition as it moves beyond its landmark 50th season. The departures of Wakim and Devon Walker suggest a reshaping of the cast, though NBC has yet to announce who will join or replace the outgoing comedians.

For Wakim, the door to the next chapter is wide open — and given his track record, his next move will be one to watch.

Emil Wakim’s exit from Saturday Night Live marks the end of a brief but meaningful chapter in his career. While his time on the show may have been short, Wakim leaves with gratitude and a strong commitment to creating “art without compromise.” His rise from making a late-night debut on The Tonight Show to becoming a cast member on SNL demonstrates his talent and potential. As the iconic NBC show undergoes cast changes, Wakim’s next steps in the comedy world will be closely watched by fans and industry insiders alike.

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