Heidi Gardner is one of the most renowned faces in American television, known for her appearances on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live. The comedian and actress has been a constant in the popular show for eight consecutive seasons, starting with Season 43 in 2017 and continuing until Season 50 in 2024. Now, after a successful run through all eight seasons, the comedian is bidding farewell to SNL. 

Gardner’s departure is part of a broader cast shake-up, with several members exiting the fan-favourite show. Starting as a featured player in SNL back in 2017 and later promoted to a repertory player in 2019, Heidi became the longest-serving female cast member in recent years. She has remained a fan favourite since her debut in the show.

With Heidi Gardner leaving Saturday Night Live ahead of the 51st season in October 2025, here’s a closer look at her reason for exit, alongside her net worth and family.

Why did Heidi Gardner leave SNL?

The announcement of Heidi Gardner leaving Saturday Night Live ahead of Season 51 has left fans wondering what could have led the comedian to make this decision, despite being one of the most popular faces on the show. Looking at her recent interviews, it seems Gardner had already hinted at her exit before the official confirmation.

In a podcast interview with Craig Ferguson in February 2025, Gardner admitted to facing creative burnout. The comedian opened up about struggling with ‘sketch fatigue’ and ‘idea fatigue’ after years of nonstop writing and performing, both on SNL and at The Groundlings. She explained:

“I love playing characters, so I can’t really imagine a world where I’m going to get to do this to this degree again… I will say the only thing that I’ve started to feel a little bit is just sketch fatigue or idea fatigue. At this point, after doing Groundlings and SNL for so long, I’m like, ‘I’ve written a lot of sketches.’ Sometimes I just don’t have an idea for a sketch, a game, or a character.”

Who else is leaving Saturday Night Live?

Heidi Gardner’s exit is part of a larger cast overhaul as SNL reinvents itself for an all-new season. Fellow cast members, including Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and Michael Longfellow, are also not returning for Season 51. It seems the show’s executive producer, Lorne Michaels, is restructuring the ensemble as it enters a new era.

Who is Heidi Gardner? A glimpse into her career and achievements

Born Heidi Lynn Gardner on July 27, 1983, in Kansas City, Missouri, Garner’s journey to comedy was not a conventional trajectory. She attended Notre Dame de Sion, and interestingly, she was voted ‘most likely to join Saturday Night Live’ in her senior year. She briefly studied at the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri before dropping out.

Heidi Gardner began her professional journey working at the Tivoli Theatre before spending nine years as a hairstylist. She later shifted gears to comedy, studying improv at The Groundlings in Los Angeles, where she eventually became a company member.

Gardner’s big break came in 2017 when she landed her debut as a featured player on Saturday Night Live Season 43. Her appearance as one of the few female cast members in the sketch comedy show was a refreshing addition, and fans instantly loved her comedic charisma. Heidi eventually became a permanent face in the show when, in 2019, she was appointed as a repertory player.

After her appearance on SNL, Heidi Gardner has never looked back. Over the years, the comedian has tried her hand at acting and starred in several films and TV shows. Gardner has appeared in Life of the Party, Mike Tyson Mysteries, Otherhood, and Second Chance Stage. She even took to the stage in Michael Frayn’s play, Noises Off.

Heidi Gardner’s charismatic stage presence, together with her knack for impressions and unique characters, made her a standout performer in recent years. After her last appearance on SNL in Season 50, Gardner was recognised as one of the show’s top earners.

Heidi Gardner’s Net Worth

According to the latest data from Celebrity Net Worth and Parade, Heidi Gardner is one of the top earners of Saturday Night Live in 2025, given her years of experience and recognition as a beloved host. She reportedly makes USD 15,000 per episode of SNL, on the same line as her colleagues Mikey Day, Pete Davidson, Punkie Johnson, Ego Nwodim, and Bowen Yang. This makes her net worth as of 2025 estimated at around USD 5 million, earned through her work on SNL, acting projects, and writing.

Inside Heidi Gardner’s family and personal life

Heidi Gardner was married to Marvel Comics writer Zeb Wells from 2010 until their separation in 2023. The comedian-actress officially confirmed their split in March 2024, describing it as a ‘painful’ but transformative period. 

While Garner never mentioned the exact reason for the split, she and Zeb remain each other’s well-wishers. Speaking on The Liz Moody Podcast, Gardner credited her family and female friends for helping her through the difficult transition. She shared:

“Sadly, I went through the end of a relationship… I also know that person will always be in my life and it will transform in a different way… Sending them all the like love and respect in the world that I still have for them. But it was just a couple-year period of transition and grief and hope and loss… But… I feel like I never wasted a day in getting to know myself, becoming a better version of myself and becoming a better friend and future partner.”

Despite their 14 years of marital life, Heidi and Zeb never had any children. The former SNL star remains close to her parents, Rick Gardner and Erny Huelke, and her brother Justin Gardner, who is also an actor.

Having hinted at creative burnout before her SNL exit, Gardner appears set to pursue acting and comedy beyond sketch work. Though she hasn’t revealed her next project, fans remain eager to see where her creative journey leads.

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