“I swear, I never had a bored day in my life. Not one,” says Stephen “Demo” DeMaria with a grin that says it all.
That kind of statement might raise eyebrows coming from most folks, but in DeMaria’s case, it feels totally believable. After all, we’re talking about the guy who’s been the backbone of one of America’s most legendary TV institutions—Saturday Night Live—for five full decades.
🎬 Live from New York… It's Demo!
Yes, the same Saturday Night Live that’s been bringing us belly laughs, iconic characters, and “live from New York” catchphrases since 1975. Behind the glitz and glitter of Studio 8H stood Stephen DeMaria—head carpenter and quiet legend—turning design sketches into tangible, functional, often hilarious magic.
At 87 years old, DeMaria has officially clocked out. This past Saturday night’s show, marking the season 50 finale, was his final bow. And while stars may come and go, DeMaria’s legacy is solidly etched into the floorboards—literally.
🛠️ The Blueprint of a Legend
DeMaria didn’t just stumble into this gig. His journey began at the age of 14 when he picked up carpentry, not just as a trade but as a calling. By 1974—just a year before SNL would hit the airwaves—he was already on Lorne Michaels’ radar. He’d been hired to construct the audience seating for the soon-to-be-iconic show. And from that point forward, the rest was late-night history.
“I’m grateful for Lorne Michaels because he actually gave me the opportunity to stay here,” DeMaria once told CBC Radio.
But this wasn’t just a day job. This was dedication at a whole different level.
🕐 DeMaria’s Marathon Thursdays
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1 a.m. Thursday: His workweek would start while most of Manhattan was asleep.
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2 a.m.: The team would receive the week’s sketches from the SNL design team.
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Next 36 hours: DeMaria would lead five crews (around 50 carpenters total), turning those ideas into reality.
By Friday night, the pieces were ready and packed up at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, shipped off to 30 Rockefeller Plaza. Come Saturday night, millions of viewers would be laughing, never realizing how much effort went into making each skit’s setting look effortless.
🎭 Favorite Sets? He’s Got a Few
When asked about the sets that stuck with him most, DeMaria lit up with nostalgia. In an interview with Gothamist, he said, “The first 12 years were the best shows for SNL.”
Some personal highlights?
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The iconic Olympia Restaurant set with John Belushi, where everything was “cheeseburger, cheeseburger!”
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The intimate little apartment for Eddie Murphy’s “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood.”
“There was something special about those early days,” he recalled. “You had raw energy, and we were building sets like we were building dreams—fast, fun, and furious.”
🏡 So What Now?
Retirement doesn’t mean kicking back in a rocking chair for this guy.
“People ask me, ‘What are you gonna do now?’ I tell ’em, I got plenty to do,” he said with a chuckle. And he really means it.
DeMaria’s got plans—a lot of them:
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🛠️ Tending to the Staten Island home he built himself.
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🧒 Spending quality time with his two kids and three grandkids.
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🐶 Caring for his pets and rescue animals.
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🌱 Getting his hands dirty in his garden.
Let’s be honest: for someone who hasn’t slowed down in decades, retirement probably just means shifting gears, not parking the car.
🚗 Still Going Strong
“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.”
You almost expect this guy to hop back into his truck and head to the set out of habit. His energy is infectious, and his pride in the work he’s done radiates in every word.
❤️ No Regrets, No Reruns
“I wouldn’t change a bit,” DeMaria told reporters. “In fact, if I go out tomorrow, I’ll still be the happiest guy around.”
That sentiment sums up a man who’s lived a purpose-driven life. Not many can say they’ve been a cornerstone of one of the most celebrated shows on TV—especially from behind the scenes. Yet for five decades, Stephen DeMaria was the guy who made the lights shine brighter, the sets stand stronger, and the magic more believable.
🔧 Not Just a Carpenter, But a Creator
Stephen DeMaria wasn’t just sawing wood and hammering nails. He was helping create television history—every week, live, without a net. Through cast changes, cultural shifts, and late-night drama, he was a rock, the behind-the-scenes MVP.
And here's something worth noting: while names like Belushi, Murphy, Fey, and Sandler became household staples, it was Demo's craftsmanship that supported their stage—literally and figuratively.
🙌 NBC, Your Move?
As of Monday, NBC hadn’t responded to requests for comment on DeMaria’s retirement. But really, what could they say that sums up 50 years of loyalty, skill, and unshakable work ethic?
Maybe a tribute is in order. Maybe a hallway named after him. Heck, give the man a statue made out of plywood and studio tape!
🌟 The End of an Era, The Start of a Legacy
While the lights will still dim, the cameras will still roll, and new skits will be born every Saturday night, the absence of Stephen “Demo” DeMaria behind the scenes marks a monumental shift. He wasn’t just “The Boss of the Carpenters”—he was the soul of the set, the guy who gave sketches a skeleton and stage jokes a solid footing.
As we toast to 50 seasons of laughter, we should also raise a glass to the man who, through it all, never missed a beat—and never, ever got bored.
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