Cast departures are a constant in Saturday Night Live 's life cycle.

Every year, during the lead-up to a new season, SNL gets a shake-up as current cast members and writers leave the show. The lead-up to Season 51, premiering Oct. 4, is no different. As of Aug. 30, four cast members are confirmed to be exiting the show.

Here are the actors leaving SNL before Season 51.

Heidi Gardner Heidi Garnder on "SNL." Credit: Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images

In her eight seasons on SNL , Heidi Gardner cemented herself as a key cast member. She could do it all, crafting memorable Weekend Update characters like teen film critic Bailey Gismert and "every boxer's girlfriend" Angel and stealing the show in sketches and digital shorts. Her role as Michael Jordan's bodyguard in a parody of Th

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