Jay Pharoah, Taran Killam Will Not Return to SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

Variety reports that two long-time cast members of NBC's SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE will not return to the sketch comedy show. According to the report, Jay Pharoah and Taran Killam were informed that their contracts would not be renewed for the upcoming 42nd season.

Both funnymen have been with the show for six seasons. Pharoah is best known for his impersonations of Denzel Washington, Will Smith, and Eddie Murphy. He also had a dead-on impression of President Barack Obama.

Killam had parodied Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and has also channeled Senator Ted Cruz. His other celebrity impressions include Brad Pitt and Matthew McConaughey.

It remains unclear why their contracts have not been renewed.

In other SNL news, Deadline reports that featured player Jon Rudnitsky, who joined the show at the beginning of last season, will also depart. The stand-up comedian's impressions included Anderson Cooper, Wolf Blitzer, Tom Cruise and Vladimir Putin.

Image courtesy of NBC

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos

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