The 26-year-old news correspondent said goodbye just one day after announcing she would be ending her 4-year career with the news satire program.
Jessica Williams said goodbye to The Daily Show on Thursday, just one day after announcing she would be ending her 4-year career with the news satire program.
The show paid tribute to the news correspondent on her last night, with host Trevor Noah giving Williams a touching farewell.
WATCH: Jon Stewart Signs Off With Epic, Emotional Final 'Daily Show'
"We tried to put together all of your greatest moments, but the truth is, no one show can do them justice," Noah told Williams as she sat beside him on-set. "You are the coolest, most awesome person. This building is going to suffer a severe lack of J. Willy-ness without you."
The 32-year-old South African comedian then showed a compilation of some of her best moments, as well as sweet messages from fellow correspondents, before concluding the segment with more kind words.
"Jessica, we cannot say goodbye to you enough," he explained. "It is not goodbye, it is farewell. You're going to be close by, hopefully. Your show is going to be amazing, and you're always welcome [back]."
RELATED: Jessica Williams Hosts 'The Daily Show' in 2025?!
Williams is the first correspondent to leave The Daily Show since Noah took over for Jon Stewart last fall. The 26-year-old comedian was the youngest correspondent to join the show when she arrived in 2012, and she quickly established herself as a distinct voice among them, often discussing topics of race and gender inequality.
At one point, she was even the favorite to replace Stewart after he quit the show following 16 years in the hosting chair in 2015, though that role eventually went to Noah.
It was announced in March that Williams is set to develop a scripted project for Comedy Central with Broad City writer Naomi Ekperigin. The network tweeted about her Daily Show departure on Wednesday.
NEWS: 'Daily Show' Host Trevor Noah Tells Stephen Colbert About Jon Stewart's 'Jewish Yoda' Advice
"You nailed it on The #DailyShow, @msjwilly," they wrote alongside a video of her best moments. "We're thrilled to make more stuff with you. Cue awesome highlight reel."
Amy Schumer was another one of the funny ladies being considered to take over for Stewart last year. Find out why she turned down the offer in the video below.