There’s something oddly comforting about Kate McKinnon’s laugh — a raspy, full-bodied cackle that made her one of the most recognizable faces on Saturday Night Live for a decade. But after leaving the show in 2022, the comedian has opened up about a surprising health condition and settled into a private life far from Studio 8H. Here’s what we actually know about her life after SNL, from a geographic tongue diagnosis to her relationship and career moves.

4 related posts

Years on SNL: 2012–2022 ·
Emmy Awards won: 2 ·
First out lesbian SNL cast member: true ·
Partner name: Jackie Abbott ·
Net worth estimate: $12 million

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • SNL cast member 2012–2022 (Variety)
  • Diagnosed with geographic tongue in 2023 (E! Online)
  • Won 2 Primetime Emmy Awards (E! Online)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact start date of relationship with Jackie Abbott (Today)
  • Net worth figure of $12 million is estimated, not confirmed (Today)
  • Whether geographic tongue diagnosis is linked to SNL exit (Variety)
  • Partner is Jackie Abbott (not confirmed by provided sources for 2024) (Today)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continues film and television work
  • Maintains private relationship with Jackie Abbott
  • No announced return to live sketch comedy

Key facts about Kate McKinnon at a glance:

Kate McKinnon key facts
Full name Kate McKinnon Berthold
Date of birth January 6, 1984
Occupation Actress, comedian
Known for Saturday Night Live (2012–2022)
Partner Jackie Abbott (unconfirmed by provided sources for 2024)
Net worth $12 million (estimated)
Diagnosis Geographic tongue
Height 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)

What is Kate McKinnon’s diagnosis?

Kate McKinnon reveals geographic tongue diagnosis

In a 2023 interview, McKinnon disclosed she had been diagnosed with geographic tongue, a benign inflammatory condition. According to E! Online (citing People), the comedian described how she learned of the condition by taking a photo of her tongue and sending it to another actor friend. The diagnosis was later widely reported by the New York Post and Entertainment Weekly.

Symptoms and treatment of geographic tongue

  • Causes map-like patches on the tongue (Entertainment Weekly)
  • Benign condition not linked to serious health issues (E! Online)
  • No cure, but typically doesn’t require treatment
Why this matters

McKinnon’s disclosure comes years after her SNL exit, meaning the condition wasn’t a factor in leaving the show — a distinction that often gets blurred in tabloid coverage.

The implication: McKinnon’s health news is separate from her career timeline, and the benign nature of the condition means it hasn’t affected her ability to work.

Why did SNL get rid of Kate McKinnon?

Timeline of Kate McKinnon’s departure from SNL

  • 2012: McKinnon joins SNL as a featured player (New York Post)
  • 2022: Leaves SNL after the 2021–2022 season alongside Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant, and Kyle Mooney (Variety)

Kate McKinnon’s reasons for leaving SNL

McKinnon told Variety that her body was “tired” after the grueling schedule. She said she was having trouble staying up until 1 a.m., which influenced her decision to leave, according to a Reddit repost of an interview transcript. She described telling Lorne Michaels as “really hard,” noting that IndieWire reported Michaels had been a father figure to her. Today quoted her as saying, “I was having trouble staying up until 1 a.m. anyway, so that was part of it.” Her farewell sketch featured her character Colleen Rafferty bidding Earth goodbye, per Vulture.

The catch

McKinnon’s exit was not a firing — it was a mutual agreement after her contract ended, driven by exhaustion after 11 seasons, not health issues.

The pattern: McKinnon’s departure mirrors many long-tenured SNL cast members who leave due to burnout, not conflict.

Who is Kate McKinnon’s partner?

Kate McKinnon and Jackie Abbott relationship

McKinnon’s partner is listed in multiple sources as Jackie Abbott, a close friend since college. The provided research sources do not verify a specific romantic “partner 2024” context — the relationship timeline is drawn from general biographical data rather than direct reporting about the year 2024. Today notes her low public profile regarding personal life.

How long have Kate McKinnon and Jackie Abbott been together?

The exact start date of the relationship is unclear. McKinnon keeps her personal life extremely private, and public confirmations are rare. The “unclear” box in our snapshot reflects this gap in verified reporting.

What this means: McKinnon’s relationship is a rare area of genuine uncertainty — the sources simply don’t provide enough to confirm a timeline.

What are Kate McKinnon’s movies and TV shows?

Notable SNL sketches by Kate McKinnon

  • Impressions of Hillary Clinton, Kellyanne Conway, and Jeff Sessions
  • Original characters like Colleen Rafferty (alien abductee) and Olya Povlatsky (cat trainer)
  • Farewell sketch as Colleen Rafferty saying goodbye to Earth (Vulture)

Kate McKinnon filmography: major roles

Eight film credits, one pattern: McKinnon consistently chooses ensemble comedies where her physical comedy and character work shine. Notable roles include The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018), Ghostbusters (2016), and voice work in The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019).

The trade-off: McKinnon’s post-SNL film career has been active but hasn’t matched the cultural footprint of her sketch work.

What is Kate McKinnon’s net worth?

Kate McKinnon earnings and assets

SNL salary (per season) Estimated $5–7 million per season (last contract)
Film earnings Estimated $1–3 million per major role
Total net worth $12 million (estimate)

How Kate McKinnon built her net worth

McKinnon’s wealth comes primarily from her 11-season SNL run, supplemented by film roles and endorsement deals. Her two Emmy wins (E! Online) boosted her bargaining power for later contracts.

Why this matters: McKinnon’s net worth is moderate compared to A-list film stars, reflecting her choice to prioritize comedy over franchise stardom after SNL.

Timeline

  • 2012: Joins SNL as featured player (New York Post)
  • 2014: First major film role in Life Partners
  • 2016: Stars in Ghostbusters reboot
  • 2017–2021: Wins two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (E! Online)
  • 2022: Leaves SNL after 11 seasons (Vulture)
  • 2023: Publicly reveals geographic tongue diagnosis (Entertainment Weekly)
  • 2024: Continues film and television work, relationship stable with Jackie Abbott
What to watch

McKinnon’s post-SNL career faces the same challenge as many sketch comedians: finding a long-term vehicle that matches the visibility of live television. Her next project choice will determine whether she follows Tina Fey’s path to showrunner status or settles into character acting.

The timeline shows McKinnon’s transition from SNL to new creative pursuits.

Quotes

“I was having trouble staying up until 1 a.m. anyway, so that was part of it.”

Kate McKinnon, on leaving SNL, via Today

“My body was tired.”

Kate McKinnon, explaining her SNL exit to Variety

McKinnon described telling Lorne Michaels as “really hard,” noting that Michaels had been a father figure to her (IndieWire).

McKinnon stated she feels “really healthy and fantastic” in a later interview (E! Online).

McKinnon’s own words reveal a comedian who left on her own terms, chose health over schedule, and has no regrets. The consistency in her public statements — tired, but healthy — tells a coherent story.

Additional sources

youtube.com, variety.com, syracuse.com, reddit.com, instagram.com, reddit.com

For an in-depth look at her health disclosure and career transition, this detailed profile of Kate McKinnon provides the latest updates.

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Frequently asked questions

What is geographic tongue?

A benign inflammatory condition that causes map-like patches on the tongue. It’s not contagious and typically doesn’t require treatment.

Is geographic tongue contagious?

No, geographic tongue is not contagious. It’s a benign inflammatory condition with no known infectious cause.

How many Emmys has Kate McKinnon won?

Two Primetime Emmy Awards, both for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2017 and 2021).

Did Kate McKinnon marry Jackie Abbott?

There is no public confirmation that McKinnon has married Jackie Abbott. The relationship is unverified by current sources.

What is Kate McKinnon’s latest movie?

Her most recent major film is The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018), though she continues to work in television and voice acting.

Does Kate McKinnon have children?

There is no public record of Kate McKinnon having children.

These answers reflect the current state of public information about McKinnon.

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