Phil Hymes

Phil Hymes was an American lighting director.

Hymes, who began his career at NBC in 1951, worked on more than 500 episodes of Saturday Night Live until his most recent episode in January 2018.

He was nominated for 13 Emmy Awards over the course of his career, winning twice 53 years apart, the first time for Hallmark Hall of Fame: The Magnificent Yankee in 1965, and in September 2018 for an episode of SNL hosted by Kevin Hart.

Early in his career, Hymes worked on The Bell Telephone Hour, Robert Montgomery Presents, Sing Along with Mitch, Your Hit Parade and The Steve Allen Show.

Hymes served as the lighting designer for the Richard Nixon/John F. Kennedy presidential debate in 1960. He also was in charge of lighting for both the Democratic and Republican National Conventions over the years.

Other shows Hymes worked on include The Kids in The Hall, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, and 30 Rock.

Hymes died July 29, 2019, in New York City, New York. He was 96.