Eugene Lee was a set designer who worked with “Saturday Night Live” for almost 50 years and won Tony Awards for sets including “Wicked.”
- Died: February 6, 2023 (Who else died on February 6?)
- Details of death: Died in Providence, Rhode Island after a brief illness at the age of 83.
- We invite you to share condolences for Eugene Lee in our Guest Book.
Award-winning set design
Lee began working as the production designer for “Saturday Night Live” when it premiered in 1975, remaining in the position until his death. The 48 years he spent with the sketch comedy legend were more than anyone else on the production staff. He created sets for classic sketches including “Wayne’s World,” “Church Lady,” and “More Cowbell.” Lee’s TV work also included production design for “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” and he won six Emmy Awards. On Broadway, he won Tony Awards for his set design of “Candide,” “Sweeney Todd,” and “Wicked.” Other Broadway shows designed by Lee include “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Seussical,” and “Glengarry Glen Ross.” Lee was also a co-founder and longtime resident set designer of Providence’s Trinity Repertory Company.
Lee on “SNL”
“It’s kind of like organized confusion. Which is kind of nice, actually. I kind of like it.” —from a 2017 interview for Vox
Tributes to Eugene Lee
Full obituary: The Providence Journal
