Liz Patrick
Liz Patrick is an American television director. She is the current director of Saturday Night Live, 2021-present. She is also known for directing 13 seasons of The Ellen DeGeneres Show and starting her directing career at MTV.
Education
Patrick attended Boston University, where she graduated with a degree in Film and Television.Career
Patrick began her television directing career in New York City at MTV. From 1998 to 2007, she directed scores of shows, and live music and awards specials such as Total Request Live, MTV Spring Break, MTV Beach House, MTV [New Year's Eve specials|MTV New Years], among others.In 2008, Patrick moved to Los Angeles to direct The Ellen Degeneres Show, becoming the show's first female director. She spent the next 13 seasons at Ellen, directing a total of 2,195 episodes. In 2018, Patrick also became a producer of the show.
In 2021, Patrick realized a childhood dream and became the director of Saturday Night Live making her the show's fifth director, and only second female director, in SNL's 47 years history. She replaced director Don Roy King, who retired December, 2021. Mid-season, Patrick observed King on two shows, and transitioned slowly, with King and Patrick co-directing, until Patrick took the helm, directing her first Saturday Night Live episode on January 15, 2022. Two years later, Saturday Night Live won a record-breaking 101 Emmy Awards, with Patrick winning the 101th award for directing.
On February 16, 2025, Patrick directed SNL50: The Anniversary Special, commemorating the 50th anniversary season of Saturday Night Live. The three-hour live television special required Patrick and show designers to bring together past and present cast members, musical icons, and celebrity hosts to honor five decades of cultural impact and groundbreaking television. The live broadcast was produced without the traditional dress rehearsal. Patrick won a Primetime [Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special] for SNL50.
In July 2025, Patrick directed the first televised edition of the Las Culturistas Culture Awards, co-created, and co-hosted by Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. The show was produced in Los Angeles, and broadcast on Bravo, and streamed on Peacock on August 5, 2025.