Cast Member Paul Brittain to Leave SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE

As first reported on EWonline.com, SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE featured cast member Paul Brittain will be leaving the NBC sketch comedy show, effective immediately. 

Brittain will not appear on Saturday's show which will be hosted by actor Channing Tatum. A source close to the actor shared with EW that the comedian,  “had the opportunity to pursue other projects, and he and the show parted ways amicably.”

Brittain has been a cast member on SNL since September of 2010. Among his popular impersonations are those of actor James Franco, Johnny Depp and Senator Harry Reid.

The comedian is a veteran of the iO Theater in Chicago where he performed with numerous improv and sketch groups, including Rattlesnake High School, Topaz, and The Late Night Late Show. He co-wrote the sketch show in which he starred, "Ted and Melanie." At iO, he also created and performed a one-man show, "Sex Ed with 'Sex' Ed Vincent," which he performed at the Chicago Sketchfest, Los Angeles Comedy Festival, and TBS' Just For Laughs Festival.

NBC and representatives of SNL have not commented Brittain's departure.