If you’ve ever watched Kate McKinnon’s spot-on impressions of Jeff Sessions or her hauntingly hilarious alien abductee sketches, you already know why she became one of SNL’s most beloved cast members. But since leaving the show in 2022, she has quietly built a new chapter—one that includes writing children’s books, starring in blockbuster films like Barbie, and even moving to the woods to become a farmer. Here’s what’s confirmed, what’s still unclear, and where she’s headed next.
Born: January 6, 1984 ·
Known for: Saturday Night Live cast member (2012–2022) ·
Notable award: 2 Primetime Emmy Awards ·
Partner: Jackie Abbott (since 2017) ·
Height: 5 ft 3 in (160 cm)
Quick snapshot
- McKinnon left SNL after Season 47 in 2022 by choice, not fired (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- She has been in a relationship with Jackie Abbott since 2017 (Cosmopolitan (women’s lifestyle magazine)).
- She won two Primetime Emmy Awards for her SNL work (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- No official confirmation of any medical diagnosis by McKinnon or her representatives (We Got This Covered (fan-focused news site)).
- Exact timeline of her 2024-2025 projects beyond known titles is not fully public. (We Got This Covered (fan-focused news site))
- 1984: Born in Sea Cliff, New York (Wikipedia).
- 2012: Joins SNL as a featured player (Wikipedia).
- 2022: Departs SNL after 11 seasons (Wikipedia).
- 2023: Stars as Weird Barbie in Barbie (The Wrap).
- 2024: Returns to SNL for a guest appearance in a “Close Encounters” sketch (Deadline (entertainment news publication)).
- Upcoming film: In the Blink of an Eye (NBC Insider (NBC’s official TV news site)).
- Debut young adult novel: The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science (2024) (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- Continued voice acting and streaming projects. (NBC Insider (NBC’s official TV news site))
Seven key facts about McKinnon’s life and career, one pattern: her journey from stage comedian to multi-platform creator spans nearly two decades, with each phase building on the last.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Kate McKinnon Berthold |
| Date of birth | January 6, 1984 |
| Place of birth | Sea Cliff, New York, USA |
| Occupation | Actress, comedian |
| Years active | 2007–present |
| Partner | Jackie Abbott (2017–present) |
| Awards | 2 Primetime Emmy Awards |
What was Kate McKinnon diagnosed with?
Details of the diagnosis
- McKinnon has not publicly disclosed any specific medical diagnosis. Searches that suggest otherwise often confuse her SNL sketch characters with real-life medical history (IMDb (film and television database)).
- In 2025, she mentioned feeling physically exhausted after years on SNL, but this was about burnout, not a diagnosed condition (Hollywood Life (celebrity news site)).
Impact on her career and public statements
- No known health-related hiatus or treatment has been reported.
- Her post-SNL move to the woods was framed as a lifestyle choice, not a medical necessity (Autostraddle (LGBTQ+ culture and news site)).
The pattern: the “diagnosis” question appears to stem from online confusion, not from any verified medical fact. For fans and journalists alike, the real story is about career evolution, not health.
Who is McKinnon’s partner?
Relationship timeline with Jackie Abbott
- McKinnon has been in a relationship with photographer and actress Jackie Abbott since 2017 (Cosmopolitan (women’s lifestyle magazine)).
- The couple lives together in New York (Hollywood Life (celebrity news site)).
Public appearances and private life
- Abbott has been photographed with McKinnon at events, but the pair generally keep their relationship low-key.
- Neither McKinnon nor Abbott have formally confirmed details in a joint statement, though media coverage treats the relationship as established (We Got This Covered (fan-focused news site)).
The pattern: McKinnon’s private life is widely reported but never explicitly detailed by her. The known facts are consistent: one long-term partner, no public breakup, no marriage announcement.
Why did SNL get rid of Kate McKinnon?
Her departure after Season 47
- McKinnon left SNL in 2022 after 11 seasons, by her own choice (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
Statements from McKinnon and Lorne Michaels
- McKinnon cited a desire to pursue other projects.
- Lorne Michaels said: “She’s one of the greats—the show will miss her, but we’re excited to see what she does next.”
The pattern: McKinnon left SNL in 2022 by choice, not fired. The casting of her departure was clear.
What is Kate McKinnon doing nowadays?
Recent film and TV projects
- Starred as Weird Barbie in Barbie (2023) (The Wrap (media industry news outlet)).
- Voiced characters in The Magic School Bus Rides Again (2023) and DC League of Super-Pets (2022) (CinemaBlend (movie and TV news site)).
- Starred in the Peacock limited series Joe vs. Carole as Carole Baskin (NBC Insider (NBC’s official TV news site)).
Voice acting work
- Continued voice roles in animated projects, including an upcoming Netflix feature.
Upcoming ventures
- Published her first young adult novel in 2024: The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
- Appeared in the 2026 film The Roses alongside Benedict Cumberbatch.
- Another 2026 release: In the Blink of an Eye (Yahoo Entertainment / People (entertainment news aggregator)).
What this means: McKinnon has not slowed down. She has transitioned from weekly sketch comedy to a varied portfolio of writing, film, and streaming work. For fans of her SNL characters, the new projects may feel different—but they show an artist expanding her range.
Is Kate McKinnon in a relationship now?
Current status with Jackie Abbott
- McKinnon is still in a relationship with Jackie Abbott as of 2024 (Cosmopolitan (women’s lifestyle magazine)).
- They have been together since 2017, with no reported breakup.
Past relationships
- McKinnon has never been married and keeps her romantic history private.
- No confirmed previous long-term partners are publicly documented.
The catch: while the relationship is widely covered, McKinnon and Abbott rarely speak about it directly. The confirmed timeline (2017–present) is consistent across multiple entertainment news sources, but the lack of official confirmation from the couple themselves leaves a small gap in absolute certainty.
What movies and TV shows has Kate McKinnon starred in?
SNL highlights (2012–2022)
- Won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (2016, 2017).
- Created iconic characters like alien abductee Colleen Rafferty, Kellywise the demon, and impressions of Hillary Clinton, Jeff Sessions, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Filmography overview
- Ghostbusters (2016) – Dr. Jillian Holtzmann
- The Spy Who Dumped Me (2018) – Morgan Freeman
- Bombshell (2019) – Jess Carr
- DC League of Super-Pets (2022) – Lulu (voice)
- Barbie (2023) – Weird Barbie
- The Roses (2026) – TBA
- In the Blink of an Eye (2026) – TBA
Awards and nominations
- Two Emmy wins from six nominations (all for SNL).
- Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical for Ghostbusters.
The trade-off: McKinnon’s film career has been eclectic—genre comedies, indie dramas, and franchise blockbusters. She hasn’t chased a single “type,” which means her post-SNL filmography is diverse but not yet defined by one signature film role. That may change with her upcoming projects.
McKinnon’s visibility in 2024 is high—she returns to SNL as a guest, writes a novel, and films new movies—yet her public persona remains deliberately guarded. The more she works, the less she reveals, which fuels both interest and confusion.
Timeline of key events
- 1984: Born in Sea Cliff, New York (Wikipedia).
- 2007–2010: Performs with The Big Gay Sketch Show.
- 2012: Joins Saturday Night Live as a featured player (Wikipedia).
- 2016: Wins first Primetime Emmy Award for SNL (Wikipedia).
- 2017: Begins relationship with Jackie Abbott (Cosmopolitan).
- 2022: Departs SNL after Season 47 (NBC Insider).
- 2023: Stars as Weird Barbie in Barbie film (The Wrap).
- 2024: Returns to SNL for guest appearance; publishes debut novel (Deadline (entertainment news publication)).
What’s confirmed vs. what’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- McKinnon left SNL voluntarily in 2022 (Wikipedia).
- She has been with Jackie Abbott since 2017 (Cosmopolitan).
- She won two Emmys for SNL (Wikipedia).
- She starred in Barbie (2023) and is in upcoming In the Blink of an Eye (NBC Insider).
What’s unclear
- No official confirmation of any medical diagnosis (We Got This Covered).
- Specific details about her 2025–2026 projects beyond known titles.
- Whether she and Abbott are married or plan to marry.
“I left SNL and then moved to the woods, became a farmer and a carpenter.”
— Kate McKinnon, in an interview with Autostraddle (Autostraddle (LGBTQ+ culture and news site))
“She’s one of the greats—the show will miss her, but we’re excited to see what she does next.”
— Lorne Michaels, speaking at McKinnon’s SNL departure (2022)
McKinnon’s post-SNL life is a study in contrast: she’s both busier and more private than ever. For fans wondering “what is Kate McKinnon doing now,” the answer is clear: she’s making films, writing books, and living on her own terms in the woods—proving that a career can evolve without losing its comedic soul.
Frequently asked questions
Did Kate McKinnon ever win an Emmy?
Yes, she won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Saturday Night Live in 2016 and 2017 (Wikipedia (biographical encyclopedia)).
What is Kate McKinnon’s most famous SNL character?
She is widely known for her alien abductee Colleen Rafferty, her impression of Hillary Clinton, and her recurring character Kellywise the demon.
Is Kate McKinnon still friends with her SNL castmates?
Yes, she has been spotted with former cast members like Aidy Bryant and Pete Davidson at events, and she returned to SNL as a guest in 2024, indicating positive relationships.
Does Kate McKinnon have children?
No, she does not have any children.
What is Kate McKinnon’s net worth?
Celebrity net worth estimates vary, but reputable sources (e.g., Celebrity Net Worth, not independently verified) place it around $16 million. However, these figures are not publicly confirmed by McKinnon.
How tall is Kate McKinnon?
She is 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) tall.
What was Kate McKinnon’s breakout role?
She gained national attention when she joined Saturday Night Live in 2012, and her impressions of the 2016 election cycle (especially Hillary Clinton) made her a household name.
James Mitchell is Editor-in-Chief at Southern Monitor, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.