‘Saturday Night Live’ alum and husband split after nearly 10 years

Abby Elliott Files for Divorce From Husband Bill Kennedy After Nearly a Decade of Marriage

Actress and former Saturday Night Live cast member Abby Elliott has filed for divorce from her husband, television writer Bill Kennedy, ending a marriage that lasted for nearly 10 years.

According to court documents, Elliott filed for divorce on July 17 and cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for ending the marriage. The filing states that the couple separated on July 8.

As part of the divorce proceedings, Elliott is requesting joint legal and joint physical custody of the couple’s two children, their 5-year-old daughter, Edith, and their 3-year-old son, Billy. She is also seeking spousal support while asking the court to terminate its ability to award spousal support to Kennedy.

The news marks a significant personal change for Elliott, who has remained active in television throughout her career. She first gained national attention as a cast member on Saturday Night Live, where she appeared from 2008 to 2012. Since leaving the sketch comedy show, she has continued working in television with roles in Odd Man Out, Indebted, and the award-winning comedy-drama series The Bear.

Kennedy has also built a successful career in television writing. His credits include work on several well-known series, including House of Cards, Tell Me Lies, and The Morning Show.

The couple’s relationship began more than a decade ago while working together on the 2014 comedy film Sex Ed. Kennedy wrote the screenplay for the film, while Elliott appeared as part of its cast. Their professional collaboration soon turned into a personal relationship.

In October 2015, the couple announced their engagement. Elliott later shared details of the proposal during an interview with The Knot, describing it as a simple and meaningful moment that took place in their apartment.

She recalled that Kennedy decorated the apartment with flowers before proposing in a traditional way, saying the moment was beautiful, heartfelt, and memorable.

The couple married in September 2016 and later welcomed two children. Over the years, Elliott occasionally spoke publicly about family life and parenting.

During an interview with Parents magazine in December 2025, Elliott discussed how she and Kennedy approached raising their children differently. She described herself as having a relaxed parenting style, allowing her children more freedom in activities and daily routines. Kennedy, she explained, preferred a more structured approach, encouraging organized activities and schedules for the children.

Despite their different parenting styles, Elliott said at the time that their approaches balanced each other and helped create a supportive environment for their family.

Neither Elliott nor Kennedy has publicly commented on the divorce filing or shared additional details about their decision to end their marriage.

The court filing currently outlines the custody requests, the date of separation, and financial requests related to spousal support. No further information has been publicly disclosed regarding the proceedings.

As the divorce process moves forward, both Elliott and Kennedy continue to be recognized for their successful careers in the entertainment industry while focusing on matters involving their family.

Sources:

• Los Angeles County Superior Court (court filing)
• TMZ
• Parents Magazine
• The Knot