'Lisa From Temecula' To Take Final Bow: Ego Nwodim To Leave 'Saturday Night Live'

TEMECULA, CA — Ego Nwodim, the comic genius behind "Lisa From Temecula" and numerous Saturday Night Live sketches, is leaving the show after seven seasons, the actress announced this week.

"There's so much I want to do and 'SNL' is always meant to be a stepping stone," she shared at the Fast Company Innovation Festival on Wednesday. Her 'SNL' announcement was made on Sept. 12, and she also shared her departure on Instagram.

"The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say 'Goodnight,' she wrote. "After seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave 'SNL."

Nwodim became a local focus when her "Lisa from Temecula" character first appeared in a sketch at a restaurant with friends, including the actor Pedro Pascal. That skit —combined with a physical comedy gag where she attempted to carve up an "extra extra extra well-done" steak, knocking everything over in the process— had multiple cast members breaking character, laughing despite themselves, and struggling to finish the scene.

The "Lisa From Temecula" bit was written by three SNL writers: Alex English, Gary Richardson and Michael Che, and the skits are performed by Nwodim and the ensemble cast. Lisa from Temecula likes her steak well done, would rather have ranch dressing than balsamic and isn't afraid of offering any opinion to anyone.

Whether Nwodim's portrayal of a Temecula resident is accurate or bizarre is up in the air, according to locals.

Lisa From Temecula made her second appearance on SNL Saturday, seated with friends at a table, wearing her trademark hot pink dress, and this time avoiding E. coli by over-dressing her salad at a wedding. Once again, she performed her table-knocking food prep, and things went flying.

Temecula residents took to Facebook groups to weigh in and comment on the skits. Several claimed it wasn't funny, while a handful reported being offended that the character has ties to the Southwest Riverside County town. She was even asked to attend the State of the City.

Nwodim has no plans for slowing down, according to her bio. She is slated to appear in "Little Brother," a film currently in production, according to IMDB, with John Cena and others. She has also recently appeared in "Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie," set for release in 2025, the Peacock original film "Mr. Throwback" (2024) with Seth Curry, and others.

Related:

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