Key Takeaways
- Television veteran Tom McDermott, longtime stage manager for “The Young and the Restless,” passed away in March 2025.
- CBS honored McDermott with a tribute card during the April 8th episode of “Y&R.”
- McDermott was both an Emmy-winning Stage Manager and a devoted advocate for the Directors Guild of America.
The world of television has lost a quiet legend. Tom McDermott, longtime stage manager and tireless advocate for union representation, passed away in March 2025.
His absence leaves a profound void in the soap opera community and beyond.
To honor his legacy, the show paid tribute to McDermott with an emotional title card at the end of the April 8th episode on CBS, acknowledging his immense contributions to the show’s success and the industry.
A Career Built On Excellence
Tom McDermott wasn’t just a Stage Manager; he was the backbone of many major productions throughout his four-decade career.
Joining the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in 1984, McDermott steadily rose through live television and network news ranks, earning the respect of every director, producer, and crew member who worked alongside him.
#yr pic.twitter.com/JpE4KSlJDt
— sharon champagne🇨🇦🤸♀️ (@yogachampagne) April 7, 2025
2002 he officially joined The Young and the Restless as a full-time stage manager.
His leadership, precision, and steady hand behind the scenes helped guide the show to numerous accolades, including Daytime Emmy Awards in 2011 and 2019 for Outstanding Drama Series Directing Team.
Furthermore, he also received multiple Emmy and DGA nominations during his time with the show.
A Champion For The Guild
McDermott was known for his technical mastery but was equally celebrated for his tireless service to the DGA and his commitment to union values.
For more than 30 years, he served on the Western and Eastern AD/SM/PA Councils, including as Chair of the Western Council from 2015 to 2017.
He also served as an Associate member of the National Board (2017–2019) and participated in three key negotiating committees between 2002 and 2020.
His leadership earned him one of the DGA’s most prestigious honors, the Franklin J. Schaffner Achievement Award in 2016, which recognized his extraordinary service and career achievements.
In his acceptance, McDermott reflected on his family’s legacy of union activism, sharing:
“My parents were active in SAG, AFTRA, and Equity. They always talked about what you could do as a union member. I’ve always tried to use my position to push for the people who feel unrepresented. I believe in unions very strongly—they’re part of what’s right about America.”
He also left advice that resonates for anyone entering the industry:
“Treat every job as if it were your last. Give the same respect to a local news show in New Jersey as you would to the Academy Awards. You never know what’s around the corner.”
Tom McDermott’s passing is a tremendous loss for The Young and the Restless and the entire television industry.
His fingerprints are on countless broadcasts, his mentorship shaped generations of crew members, and his legacy will live on through every episode that rolls smoothly behind the scenes.
As the DGA and the soap opera community mourn the loss of this industry giant, we offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.
