Few Saturday Night Live departures sparked as much conversation as Kate McKinnon’s exit in 2022. After a decade of iconic impressions and two Emmy wins, she walked away — not because of drama, but because, as she put it, “my body was tired.”

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Born: January 6, 1984 · SNL Tenure: 2012–2022 · Emmy Awards: 2 · Height: 5′3″ (1.60 m)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact motivations for leaving SNL beyond “my body was tired”
  • Whether she will return as guest host or in other SNL projects
  • Marital status – she is not married but future plans unknown
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

The biographical summary below draws from multiple verified sources covering McKinnon’s career and personal milestones.

Label Value
Full Name Kathryn McKinnon Berthold (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
Born January 6, 1984 (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
Occupation Actress, comedian (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
Years Active 2006–present (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
SNL Tenure 2012–2022 (Variety (trade publication))
Height 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
Partner Jackie Abbott (since c. 2017) (IMDb (film database))

Why Did SNL Get Rid of Kate McKinnon?

Was Kate McKinnon fired or did she leave?

  • She was not fired; she chose to leave after the 2021–2022 season (Variety (trade publication)).
  • Her exit was part of a broader cast turnover that included Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant, and Kyle Mooney (NPR (public radio)).

What did Kate McKinnon say about leaving SNL?

In a Variety (trade publication) interview, she explained, “My body was tired.” She performed a farewell sketch as her beloved character Colleen Rafferty in the Season 47 finale (Instagram (social media)).

Why this matters

McKinnon’s fatigue-driven exit, rather than a creative conflict, signals that even the most durable SNL cast members hit a physical wall after a decade of weekly sketch production.

Bottom line: McKinnon left SNL on her own terms citing exhaustion, not a firing. For fans, the split was amicable; for the show, it marked the end of an era.

What Is Kate McKinnon’s Diagnosis?

What is geographic tongue?

Geographic tongue is a benign inflammatory condition that creates map-like patches on the tongue’s surface. According to social media posts (Instagram), McKinnon reportedly revealed she has the condition, calling it “gross” but harmless in a Yahoo Entertainment (entertainment news) interview.

How did Kate McKinnon reveal her diagnosis?

  • She spoke about it in a Yahoo Entertainment (entertainment news) interview in 2024.
  • The condition, though visually unusual, requires no treatment and is not contagious (Instagram (social media post)).

The catch: The geographic tongue news spread through entertainment channels, not medical reports. Readers should treat the diagnosis as reported, not clinically verified.

The catch

McKinnon’s openness about a little-known condition helps demystify it for her audience, but the primary source remains a social clip rather than a medical journal.

Who Is Kate McKinnon’s Partner Now?

Is Kate McKinnon in a relationship?

Yes. She has been in a relationship with writer Jackie Abbott since at least 2017 (IMDb (film database)). Abbott’s credits include American Horror Stories, Thirst, and New Amsterdam.

Who is Jackie Abbott?

  • Jackie Abbott is an actor and writer (IMDb (film database)).
  • McKinnon keeps her relationship very private, rarely posting about it on social media.

The pattern: McKinnon intentionally separates her personal life from her public persona, making the confirmed relationship with Abbott a rare piece of private information in an otherwise guarded life.

Are Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon Friends in Real Life?

How do Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon know each other?

  • They co-starred in the 2016 action-comedy The Spy Who Dumped Me (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia)).
  • During press tours, Kunis called McKinnon a “brilliant comedian” and described their off-screen friendship (Yahoo Entertainment (entertainment news)).

The implication: Genuine friendships between co-stars are rare enough that Kunis’s public praise strengthens McKinnon’s reputation as a personable collaborator.

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

What is Kate McKinnon’s role in the Barbie movie?

McKinnon played Weird Barbie, the eccentric, worn-out doll who lives in a dreamhouse of her own in Greta Gerwig’s 2023 blockbuster (Yahoo Entertainment (entertainment news)).

What TV shows has Kate McKinnon been in besides SNL?

  • The Big Gay Sketch Show (2006–2010) – early career (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
  • The Simpsons – voice work (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
  • Notable films: Ghostbusters (2016), The Spy Who Dumped Me, Yesterday (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))

The trade-off: McKinnon’s film roles have been mostly ensemble comedies; her post-SNL career will test whether she can carry a lead dramatic part.

Timeline signal

  • January 6, 1984: Born in New York (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
  • 2006: Joined The Big Gay Sketch Show (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
  • 2012: Became SNL cast member (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
  • 2016: Starred in Ghostbusters reboot (Wikipedia (user-edited encyclopedia))
  • 2022: Left SNL after 10 seasons (Variety (trade publication))
  • 2023: Played Weird Barbie in Barbie (Yahoo Entertainment (entertainment news))
  • 2024: Discussed geographic tongue diagnosis (Instagram (social media post))

Confirmed facts

  • SNL departure was her own decision (Variety)
  • Geographic tongue diagnosis reported in 2024 (Yahoo Entertainment)
  • Relationship with Jackie Abbott since c. 2017 (IMDb)
  • Friendship with Mila Kunis confirmed by interviews (Yahoo Entertainment)

What’s unclear

  • Exact motivations for leaving SNL beyond “my body was tired”
  • Whether she will return as guest host or in other SNL projects
  • Marital status – she is not married but future plans unknown

“My body was tired.”

– Kate McKinnon, explaining her SNL exit to Variety (trade publication)

“It’s gross.”

– Kate McKinnon, on her geographic tongue, as reported by Yahoo Entertainment (entertainment news)

“She’s a brilliant comedian and a wonderful friend.”

– Mila Kunis, on McKinnon, during The Spy Who Dumped Me press tour (via Yahoo Entertainment)

McKinnon’s post-SNL story is still being written. For a comedian who spent a decade impersonating everyone else, the next act will be her most original. For audiences, the choice is clear: watch her evolve, or risk missing the best version of Kate McKinnon yet.

Additional sources

instagram.com, snl.fandom.com, tiktok.com, tiktok.com, tiktok.com

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Frequently asked questions

How tall is Kate McKinnon?

5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) (Wikipedia).

What is Kate McKinnon’s real name?

Kathryn McKinnon Berthold (Wikipedia).

How many Emmy Awards has Kate McKinnon won?

Two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Facebook post by Arizona’s Family).

When did Kate McKinnon start on SNL?

She joined the cast in 2012 (Wikipedia).

Is Kate McKinnon married?

No, she is not married. She is in a relationship with Jackie Abbott (IMDb).

What is Kate McKinnon’s zodiac sign?

Capricorn (born January 6, 1984) (Wikipedia).