Chiefs Kingdom loses a fan-favorite face as Heidi Gardner exits SNL

Kansas City’s own Heidi Gardner, a beloved Saturday Night Live alum since 2017 and die-hard Chiefs fan, is stepping away from the legendary late‑night show as it heads into a new season. An eight‑year veteran, which makes her SNL’s longest‑tenured female cast member, Gardner has confirmed she will not return when season 51 premieres in early October.

Gardner’s exit is part of a sweeping cast shakeup. Three other cast members, including Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim, are also departing. It's a show-defining level of turnover that feels similar to the Chiefs roster purge in 2013 when Andy Reid arrived.

Gardner was the longest-tenured female cast member on Saturday Night Live.

While Gardner has yet to make a public statement about her departure, she's spoken candidly in recent months about experiencing "sketch fatigue" after so many seasons of sketch comedy—a run that goes well beyond her years at SNL.

Beyond SNL, Gardner has a new movie on the way, Transcending, which was shot in K.C. and written by another local native, Raleigh Cain. As we said, the ties run deep.

Gardner has been involved with some great Chiefs memories along the way, using her platform and celeb status to celebrate a team that didn't exactly need help (but will take it anyway).

Gardner once helped bring Travis Kelce to SNL, and she's admitted she finds myriad ways to show her support behind the scenes. Gardner is also a regular presence in K.C. at everything from games to charitable events. She led fans in the “KC Baby” chant at a Current game and co‑hosted the Big Slick fundraiser for Children's Mercy Hospital. And we loved the Sunday Night Football intro from last season.