Eugene Lee, who won six Emmy Awards as production designer for “Saturday Night Live” and won a Tony Award for his Broadway set of “Wicked,” died Tuesday. He was 83.
Lee died in Providence, Rhode Island, WPRI-TV reported. His death was announced on the official Twitter page for “Wicked.”
As the resident artist at the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence since 1967, Lee designed more than 100 productions there, according to WPRI.
The WICKED community mourns the loss of Eugene Lee, the three-time Tony Award winning and six-time Emmy Award winning set designer who created the world of Oz on stage. His legacy and contribution to the theater and television communities will always be cherished. pic.twitter.com/fvNmrkJbLI
— Wicked the Musical (@WICKED_Musical) February 8, 2023
“Eugene Lee was a once-in-a-generation theater artist, one of the greatest minds to ever answer the question ‘What is theater?’” Trinity Repertory artistic director Curt Columbus told the television station. “He was simultaneously playful and profound, childlike and rigorous, a genius who sees the world in ways that others only dream.”
Lee had been with “Saturday Night Live” since its debut in 1975, Variety reported. He worked on sets including the “Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary” and “SNL Presents: Halloween.”
Lee’s numerous Broadway production credits included “Sweeney Todd” in 1979, “Merrily We Roll Along” in 1981, “Seussical” in 2001, the “Show Boat” revival, “Amazing Grace” and “Bright Star,” according to The Associated Press.
RIP SNL Production Designer Eugene Lee (1939-2023)
— The Saturday Night Network (@thesnlnetwork) February 7, 2023
Lee was one of the longest-tenured members of the Saturday Night Live production team, beginning with the premiere in 1975. The Emmy & Tony-award winning designer was responsible for some of greatest set designs in SNL history pic.twitter.com/iDU2tVEDcs
Lee won three Tony Awards and six Emmys. He also led the production design for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” and “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” according to WPRI. He was nominated for 18 Emmys, Variety reported.
“Eugene was a brilliant, wonderful person and the world is a bit darker without his light in it,” U.S. Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island said in a tweet.
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