Kate McKinnon: SNL Exit, Diagnosis, and Life After

When Kate McKinnon left Saturday Night Live in 2022, it felt like the end of an era for fans of her spot-on impersonations. But her next act — from starring in blockbusters like Barbie to revealing a little-known health condition — has kept the spotlight firmly on her.

SNL cast member: 2012–2022 ·
Emmy Awards: 2 wins ·
First openly lesbian SNL cast member: yes ·
Age: 40 (born 1984) ·
Height: 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) ·
Geographic tongue diagnosis: revealed 2023

Her career spans sketch comedy, blockbuster films, and voice work. Here’s a quick look at the core facts about McKinnon.

Why Did SNL Get Rid of Kate McKinnon?

Was Kate McKinnon fired from SNL?

• McKinnon was not fired. She left voluntarily after the 47th season in May 2022. Her departure was widely reported as a choice, not a dismissal (Variety).

Why did Kate McKinnon choose to leave SNL?

• In a 2022 exit interview, McKinnon said her body was tired and it felt like the right time to go (The Hollywood Reporter). She described the departure as emotional and difficult (Vulture).

The pattern: McKinnon’s departure was a career pivot, not a falling-out, and it preserved her standing in the industry.

What Is Kate McKinnon’s Diagnosis?

What is geographic tongue?

• Geographic tongue is a benign inflammatory condition that causes map-like patches on the tongue. It is not contagious or harmful (The Hollywood Reporter). McKinnon described it as “gross” (The Hollywood Reporter).

Is geographic tongue a serious condition?

• No. Both The Hollywood Reporter and Entertainment Weekly describe it as harmless. McKinnon revealed the diagnosis in September 2025 during a profile interview (Entertainment Weekly).

The implication: McKinnon turned a minor health issue into a moment of authenticity that strengthens her connection with her audience.

Who Is Kate McKinnon’s Partner?

Is Kate McKinnon in a relationship?

• McKinnon has not publicly confirmed a current partner. She has historically kept her romantic life private (Wikipedia).

Are Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon friends in real life?

• Yes. The two co-starred in The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018) and have spoken positively about each other in press. Their friendship is well-documented in interviews (New York Post).

What this means: McKinnon values privacy in a way that allows her to maintain boundaries while still being open about her professional and health decisions.

What Are Kate McKinnon’s Most Notable Movies and TV Shows?

What movies has Kate McKinnon been in?

• Notable films include Ghostbusters (2016), The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018), Yesterday (2019), and Barbie (2023) (Wikipedia).

What TV shows has she appeared in besides SNL?

• She was a regular on The Big Gay Sketch Show (2007–2010) and has voiced characters on The Simpsons. She also won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her SNL work (Wikipedia).

The pattern: She is deliberately expanding her range beyond sketch comedy, leveraging her SNL fame without being trapped by it.

What Is Kate McKinnon’s Background and Career Overview?

Where was Kate McKinnon born?

• Born Kathryn McKinnon Berthold in New York City on January 6, 1984 (Wikipedia).

How did she begin her comedy career?

• She studied theatre at Columbia University and landed a role on The Big Gay Sketch Show before joining SNL in 2012 as a featured player (Wikipedia). She became the first openly lesbian cast member in SNL history (Wikipedia).

The implication: McKinnon’s path from college theatre to SNL reflects a steady climb built on talent and determination, not luck.

The catch: The timeline shows a performer who has consistently moved forward, rarely looking back.

The pattern: The confirmed facts are well-documented; the unknowns are areas McKinnon deliberately keeps off the public record.

“I was so tired. My body was tired. It just felt like the right time.”

— Kate McKinnon on leaving SNL, as told to Vulture
For more on McKinnon’s life after SNL, you can read her Renee Rapp biografia.

“It’s gross. It looks like a map.”

— The Hollywood Reporter, from The Hollywood Reporter

McKinnon’s honesty about both her career decisions and her health has earned her a loyal following. For fans, the takeaway is clear: she’s steering her own ship, and the next port is whatever film role intrigues her most. For the industry, her post-SNL pivot is a case study in exiting a legendary gig on your own terms.

Frequently asked questions

The catch: The FAQ covers the most common questions, many of which point to the boundaries McKinnon sets around her private life.