Will Forte Leaving "Saturday Night Live"

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Will Forte is leaving "Saturday Night Live" after making viewers laugh for eight seasons.

Forte's publicist Lewis Kay said Thursday that the actor is moving on from "SNL" ''to pursue other opportunities."

NBC declined to comment.

Kay said Forte was "eternally grateful" to producer Lorne Michaels and to "all the incredible people he worked with over the years."

Forte's exit from the show was first reported by the New York Times on its website.

During his time on the show, the Times notes, Forte portrayed a variety of characters including MacGruber (a riff on MacGyver), Jon Bovi (the lead singer of a Bon Jovi "opposite tribute band") and political candidate Tim Calhoun. He has also had recent guest roles on "30 Rock" and "The Cleveland Show."

The 40-year-old starred in and co-wrote the "SNL" spin-off film "MacGruber," which was released in May but did not fare well at the box office.