‘I didn’t have a bored day in my life’: SNL’s master carpenter retires after 51 years

As Saturday Night Live celebrates 50 years on air, one of the sketch comedy show’s most enduring and essential behind-the-scenes figures is bidding farewell.

Stephen “Demo” DeMaria, a master carpenter who has built the set for every episode since the show’s debut on Oct. 11, 1975, is retiring this year at the age of 87.

For five decades, DeMaria has been the steady hand behind the scenes, shaping the physical world of SNL and helping turn its bold comedic visions into reality — from the sharp political parodies to the zany pop culture spoofs.

Created by Toronto-born Lorne Michaels, SNL revolutionized late-night television with its live format, bold sketch comedy and musical performances. The show quickly became a cultural juggernaut, launching the careers of comedy legends like Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell and Adam Sandler.

And for every sketch — whether it was the Oval Office, a suburban kitchen or a wild game show set — DeMaria was there, meticulously building the backdrops that helped bring each scene to life.

“This is going on 51 years for me,” DeMaria, known as “The Boss of the Carpenters,” told As It Happens host Nil Köksal.

Passion for carpentry 

A Brooklyn native, DeMaria began apprenticing in carpentry at just 14. Before joining SNL, he honed his skills on iconic New York landmarks and took on a wide range of projects across the city, from houses to rooftops.

“I enjoyed what I was doing. I started carpentry when I was a young kid,” he said.

DeMaria’s path to SNL began in 1974, a year before the show’s official premiere. He was hired to build the audience seating — a gig that led to a lasting relationship with Michaels.

“I’m grateful for Lorne Michaels because he actually gave me the opportunity to stay here,” he said.

When a new season began each fall, DeMaria’s weekly routine would kick off on Thursday mornings as early as 1 a.m. By 2 a.m., he’d receive design sketches for that week’s set and begin dividing the workload among five teams of about 50 carpenters.

Together, they would build each element at the Brooklyn Navy Yard shop by Friday night and ship the finished pieces to the studio in midtown Manhattan for Saturday’s live broadcast.

Just this past weekend, DeMaria completed his final assignment — leading the construction of a dozen sets for the grand 50th season finale. 

 A life well-lived 

As he reflects on his long career, DeMaria doesn’t pick favourites among the hundreds of sketches he helped create, but he admits the early years still hold a special place in his heart.

“They were all good shows,” he said. “My favourite was the first 12 years, when it was John Belushi and all of these fellas.”

He’s also especially fond of Eddie Murphy. Watching Murphy during the recent 50th anniversary celebration, DeMaria said he couldn’t help but marvel at how little has changed.

“Eddie Murphy, amazing man!” DeMaria said. “He looks terrific. He’s a good-looking man. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, for his age.”

With the finale aired, DeMaria is officially hanging up his hammer — but not before one last celebration.

As the season wraps, he’s looking forward to one of his favourite traditions: the cast and crew party, where the dance floor calls his name. “I go to the SNL parties at the end of the season, and I love to dance on the floor when they play music,” he said.

Outside the studio, DeMaria built a life he’s proud of, too.

He married his wife, Patricia, when he was 17, and together they raised two children and welcomed three grandchildren. Patricia passed away three-and-a-half years ago — a loss DeMaria said he feels deeply. “My wife was unbelievable,” he said.

Now, DeMaria plans to spend more time at the Staten Island home he built in the 1950s, enjoying time with his two cats and visiting family in New Jersey.

“I’m still driving, I don’t wear glasses and I still move around,” he said. “I tell you the truth, I didn’t have a bored day in my life. Never. Even now.”