What Happened to Leslie Jones?
Leslie Jones, a prominent American comedian and actress, has continued to thrive in the entertainment industry since her departure from Saturday Night Live in 2019. She has expanded her stand-up career with a successful tour and recent comedy specials, hosted television shows and awards, and taken on new acting roles, maintaining her signature bold and energetic presence across various platforms up to mid-2026.
Quick Answer
Leslie Jones is actively engaged in her comedy career, currently touring with her "I'm Hot Tour" across North America in 2026, with dates scheduled through November. She recently hosted The One Show 2026 in May and appeared on NBC's 'Today' in July 2026. Jones also released a new comedy special, "Leslie Jones: Life - Part 2," in October 2025, co-hosts the podcast 'The Fckry,' and recently wrapped production on season two of the HBO Max series 'Our Flag Means Death.'
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline12 events
Begins Stand-Up Comedy Career
Leslie Jones starts her stand-up comedy career in college after winning a 'Funniest Person on Campus' contest, leading her to move to Los Angeles to pursue comedy professionally.
Releases First Comedy Special 'Problem Child'
Jones releases her first hour-long stand-up DVD, 'Problem Child,' which was taped in front of a live audience.
Joins Saturday Night Live Cast
After initially joining as a writer in 2013, Leslie Jones is promoted to a featured player on 'Saturday Night Live' at age 47, becoming the oldest person to join the show's cast.
Stars in 'Ghostbusters' and Faces Online Harassment
Jones stars in the all-female remake of 'Ghostbusters' but subsequently faces severe online harassment and racist attacks on Twitter.
Named One of Time's 100 Most Influential People
Time magazine recognizes Leslie Jones as one of the world's 100 most influential people for her impact in entertainment.
Departs from Saturday Night Live
After five seasons, Leslie Jones announces her departure from 'Saturday Night Live' to pursue other projects.
Hosts 'Supermarket Sweep' and Releases Netflix Special
Jones begins hosting the ABC reboot of 'Supermarket Sweep' for two seasons (2020-2022) and releases her Netflix comedy special 'Leslie Jones: Time Machine.'
Stars in 'Coming 2 America'
Leslie Jones co-stars with Eddie Murphy in the highly anticipated sequel 'Coming 2 America,' earning an MTV Movie Award for her performance.
Guest Hosts 'The Daily Show'
Jones becomes the first guest host to kick off a new era of 'The Daily Show' following Trevor Noah's departure.
Launches 'I'm Hot Tour' and Releases 'Life - Part 2'
Leslie Jones begins her 'I'm Hot Tour' (also referred to as 'Leslie Jones: Live!') and releases her new comedy special, 'Leslie Jones: Life - Part 2,' in October, which was the highest debut by a female comedian.
Hosts The One Show 2026
Leslie Jones returns to host The One Show 2026 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, an event celebrating creative excellence.
Scheduled Appearance on NBC's 'Today'
Leslie Jones is scheduled to appear on NBC's 'Today' show for a segment titled 'Roast My Rental.'
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Leslie Jones' career has seen a significant evolution since her breakout role on 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL). After joining SNL as a writer in 2014 and quickly becoming a featured player, her raw, high-energy comedic style resonated with audiences, earning her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. Her tenure on the show, which concluded in 2019 after five seasons, established her as a household name and paved the way for diverse opportunities.
Following her departure from SNL, Jones transitioned into hosting, taking on the reboot of the game show 'Supermarket Sweep' for two seasons from 2020 to 2022. This period also saw her continue her stand-up career with the release of her Netflix comedy special, 'Leslie Jones: Time Machine,' in 2020. A key turning point in her post-SNL film career was her role in the 2021 sequel 'Coming 2 America,' where she starred alongside Eddie Murphy and earned an MTV Movie Award.
In recent years, Jones has maintained a robust presence in comedy and television. In January 2023, she made headlines as the first guest host to kick off a new era of 'The Daily Show'. Her commitment to stand-up remains strong, evidenced by the launch of her 'I'm Hot Tour' in 2025, which continues with numerous dates throughout 2026 across the United States. In October 2025, she released her latest comedy special, 'Leslie Jones: Life - Part 2,' on Peacock and Prime Video, which achieved the highest debut by a female comedian.
As of July 2026, Leslie Jones is actively touring and has several ongoing projects. She co-hosts the popular podcast 'The Fckry' with comedian Lenny Marcus, engaging with listeners on various topics. She also recently wrapped production on the second season of the HBO Max series 'Our Flag Means Death'. Furthermore, Jones is developing an untitled Christmas comedy for Lionsgate, which she plans to produce and potentially star in. Her continued visibility includes hosting events like The One Show 2026 in May and making television appearances, such as her scheduled segment on NBC's 'Today' in July 2026. Her career demonstrates a sustained trajectory of success, leveraging her unique comedic voice across multiple entertainment mediums.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Leslie Jones made different choices?