Paul Brittain abruptly leaves ‘Saturday Night Live’

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Updated: February 1, 2012 5:20PM

Chicago-trained improviser and Naperville native Paul Brittain is out at “Saturday Night Live” after only a season and a half as a featured player on NBC’s late-night sketch comedy show.

News came Tuesday of his abrupt exit.

Neither Brittain nor NBC reps could be reached or have commented publicly on the matter, but a source close to the actor told EW.com the former iO Theater fixture left to pursue other opportunities. What those are, however, isn’t clear.

Brittain’s “SNL” characters include teacher “Sex” Ed Vincent and playful Lord Cecil Wyndemere, and he impersonated celebrities including Johnny Depp, James Franco and Ron Paul. He’s the nephew of comedian Bob Newhart.

Mike Thomas