Leslie Jones bids farewell to ‘SNL’ with a promise: #iamnotdeadjustgraduating
Leslie Jones isn’t leaving her five-year stint and “second home” on “Saturday Night Live” without saying goodbye.
On Tuesday the Emmy nominee tweeted her gratitude and thanks to the show’s fans, writers, cast and its creator, Lorne Michaels, who she said “changed my life in so many ways!”
“Thank you for being my mentor and confidant and for always having my back,” she continued in the five-part post that included a photo montage of several characters she played throughout her “SNL” years. “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.”
Last week, news broke that Jones, 51, was walking away from the NBC comedy-sketch show. The stand-up comic turned actress started her gig on “SNL” as a writer. In late 2013, she auditioned at a casting session meant to address the show’s lack of diversity by adding a black woman to the cast.
Leslie Jones, a five-year veteran of “Saturday Night Live,” won’t be back for the season that starts in September. Kate McKinnon will return, however.
In October 2014, Jones became a leading player on the show and returned the next four seasons.
To her cast members, she expressed how much she “will miss working, creating and laughing with you,” adding, “Everyone needs to know Leslie Jones couldn’t have done any of the things I did without these people.”
She thanked her fans for their love and support and wrote, “I know you will be as excited as I am when you see some of the amazing projects and adventures that I have coming up very soon!” before ending the tweet with the hashtag #iamnotdeadjustgraduating.
1/5
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) September 3, 2019
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
2/5
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) September 3, 2019
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
3/5
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) September 3, 2019
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
4/5
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) September 3, 2019
Especially being at the table reads with them!! Everyone needs to know Leslie Jones couldn’t have done any of the things I did without these people.
One last thing – to the fans – you are the BEST!! Thank you for all the love and support through my SNL years pic.twitter.com/S8O1nixxps
5/5
— Leslie Jones 🦋 (@Lesdoggg) September 3, 2019
and I know you will be as excited as I am when you see some of the amazing projects and adventures that I have coming up very soon! Love you all!! #iamnotdeadjustgraduating
- Leslie pic.twitter.com/Uu0vLz3Khj
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