Actor Andy Samberg poses for a portrait during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival at the Getty Images Portrait Studio at T-Mobile Village at the Lift on January 20, 2012 in Park City, Utah. (Source: Larry Busacca/Getty Images North America)
After seven seasons and countless viral videos, Andy Samberg has confirmed his departure from Saturday Night Live. The viral video guru made the announcement not long after Kristen Wiig's emotional farewell on last month's SNL season finale.
Samberg told the New York Times Friday: “It’s an incredibly emotional and strange moment in my life. Obviously it’s not a huge shock, but I did officially decide not to come back.”
The funnyman's contract is up and he'd previously hinted about being ready to move on, so the news, although upsetting to SNL fans, isn't quite a surprise. Samberg said he could relate to Wiig's feelings on leaving. “She kept saying it just feels like it’s her time,” he told the NYT. “I connect with that. Something about it just feels like it’s the moment. My contract’s up and I did so much more than I ever thought I would ever even do.”
The 33-year-old star first joined the sketch comedy show in 2005 and it wasn't long before he got his first big hit with the “Lazy Sunday” rap video. Then, of course, he teamed up with Justin Timberlake for the wildly popular "D*** in the Box" digital short and countless other memorable skits.
Now it looks like Samberg's turning to film. He'll next star alongside Adam Sandler in That’s My Boy.
See more Andy Samberg pics and some of his most popular videos here:
