Sudeikis Says He Will Leave ‘Saturday Night Live'

CBS Entertainment, via Associated Press

Jason Sudeikis appeared as a guest on “The Late Show with David Letterman” on Wednesday.

Jason Sudeikis, a writer and performer on “Saturday Night Live'' for 10 years, confirmed Wednesday what had long been rumored: he will not be back on the show this fall.

Mr. Sudeikis appeared as a guest on “The Late Show with David Letterman” Wednesday and told the news to the host, who apparently had not heard the widespread reports of Mr. Sudeikis's departure.

“I'm definitely done,” Mr. Sudeikis said. “I'm not coming back.”

Mr. Letterman said: “Do they know that? Have you run that by them?”

Mr. Sudeikis said he was leaning toward leaving before this last season, but the show's longtime leader, Lorne Michaels, prevailed on him to come back. Mr. Sudeikis was the cast member who impersonated Mitt Romney and Mr. Michaels knew the show would be putting on numerous sketches last fall tied to the presidential election.

Mr. Sudeikis was known for many other characters, including the Devil on Weekend Update, and had a reputation on the show for versatility. He also has a growing film career, appearing in comedies like “Hall Pass,'' “Horrible Bosses'' and the coming “We're the Millers,'' which is scheduled to open next month.

Mr. Michaels has begun his annual hunt for new talent for “S.N.L.” and now faces the task of replacing Mr. Sudeikis as well as Bill Hader and Fred Armisen, who also have left the show. And next year, the show's head writer and Weekend Update anchor, Seth Meyers, will be leaving to take over as host of NBC's “Late Night.”