Cecily Strong remembers Chloe Fineman’s impressions as both an extraordinary talent and a slightly unsettling experience for the people being imitated.
Following Fineman’s decision to leave Saturday Night Live after seven seasons, Strong praised her former costar as “one of the most gifted impressionists ever.”
The comedians shared Studio 8H for four seasons after Fineman joined the NBC sketch series in 2019. Strong ended her own 11-season run in December 2022.
Fineman Could Imitate the People Working Beside Her
Strong told Parade that Fineman’s ability extended beyond celebrity impersonations. She could also reproduce the voices, expressions and mannerisms of cast members working beside her. “The fact that she had impressions of all of us was cool and scary and weird,” Strong said.
Fineman demonstrated that skill in the 2022 digital short “The Understudy,” which presented her as the performer prepared to replace almost anyone who became unavailable before a live show. The sketch included impressions of Strong, Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Melissa Villaseñor and Sarah Sherman.
Fineman also attempted to impersonate guest Elizabeth Olsen after initially confusing her with that week’s host, Benedict Cumberbatch. During the Strong segment, Fineman entered the studio kitchen dressed like her castmate and reproduced her clipped vocal delivery while standing directly across from her.
Strong responded by matching the impression, leaving the two performers trading nearly identical reactions. Bryant offered Fineman notes on her posture and facial expressions, while Ego Nwodim stopped the impersonation before it could begin.
Strong Called Fineman’s Departure ‘Beautiful and Sad’
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Fineman announced on July 16 that she would not return for SNL’s 52nd season. “After 7 wonderful seasons at SNL I have decided it’s time for my next chapter,” she wrote in her farewell message.
Fineman joined the show as a featured player ahead of its 45th season in 2019 and became a repertory cast member in 2021. She built much of her early reputation around impressions of celebrities including Drew Barrymore, Britney Spears, Jennifer Coolidge, Nicole Kidman, Timothée Chalamet and Meryl Streep.
She called working on the show “the greatest privilege” of her life and thanked creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels, along with the writers, performers, producers, costume designers and crew members responsible for assembling each episode. Fineman also joked about how emotionally invested cast members could become in sketches that were later cut from the broadcast.
“You sob uncontrollably when your sketch isn’t picked,” she wrote. “You storm into a producer’s office telling them they just made the biggest mistake of their lives.” Years later, she added, the rejected idea might turn out to have been something called “lipstick for thicc dogs.” Fineman said leaving was difficult but felt like the appropriate time to begin another chapter.
Strong described an SNL departure as “beautiful and sad” and said she hoped Fineman recognized everything she accomplished during her seven years at the show. “There are really fun moments that we get to have on video and get to see forever,” Strong said. “I revisit them all the time, and I love it.”
Fineman’s Exit Brought Back Strong’s Final Night
Discussing Fineman’s departure led Strong to reflect on her own farewell, which aired on December 17, 2022. Strong made one final appearance as Cathy Anne on “Weekend Update,” where the recurring character revealed that she was heading to prison. The segment allowed Strong to acknowledge her departure while remaining in character.
Later in the episode, host Austin Butler serenaded her with “Blue Christmas” during a sketch set at a RadioShack. Kenan Thompson introduced Strong as a departing employee whose coworkers wanted to honor the years they had spent together.
“I just love these people so much, and they are hugely important parts of my life and my identity and my training as a human being,” she said. “I’m so, so grateful I got to know them and got to have time with them.”
Fineman Has Already Joined a Netflix Drama
Fineman has joined Netflix’s adaptation of Harlan Coben’s Myron Bolitar novels as a series regular. She will play Parker Quinn, a sports reporter who has built a strong reputation through her work and passion for sports.
Colin Woodell stars as Myron Bolitar, a former basketball prospect whose planned NBA career ends after an injury. He reinvents himself as a sports agent and becomes involved in dangerous investigations surrounding his clients.
The cast also includes KJ Apa as Myron’s business partner Win Lockwood, Diane Guerrero as former professional wrestler Esperanza Diaz and Jabari Banks as tennis prodigy Dwayne Richmond.
Netflix confirmed that production has begun in New York City. The streaming service has not announced a release date.