The long list of Pittsburgh area natives who have gone on to successful careers in film and TV includes Gateway High School graduate Don Roy King.

Mr. King, 62, a Pitcairn native, won an Emmy Aug. 29 for his direction of the long-running NBC hit "Saturday Night Live."

The director of SNL since 2006, Mr. King won in the category of Outstanding Directing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series, for the highly rated episode starring Betty White.

Mr. King is only the fourth director to work on the show since its inception in 1975. He also won a Daytime Emmy in 1976 for directing an episode of the "Mike Douglas Show," and has won a number of other awards for his television work.

Mr. King's father, Roy, was a longtime postmaster of Pitcairn. The director has two younger brothers: Dennis of Nashville, Tenn., and David of Cranberry.

Mr. King originally intended to become a performer or television host. He said that at Penn State University, his major was broadcast journalism "because I didn't have the guts to tell my dad I was going to be a theater major."

But he found he had the requisite quick thinking and decision-making skills for live television directing. After graduation, he worked at KDKA-TV and eventually at WCBS, in New York City. He worked for three years on the "Mike Douglas Show" in Philadelphia before moving to New York to direct CBS morning shows "This Morning" and "The Early Show."

Mr. King spent 21 years in morning TV and said that at times, he believed he was "a craftsman rather than an artist."

"Deep down, I thought I'd sold out my acting bug a little bit," he said, adding that a short period of directing live Broadway musicals for a pay-per-view channel brought back some of the magic.

Becoming director of "SNL" in 2006 brought him even closer to where he wanted to be.

"My job means I am in the middle of the most gifted people, really part of the creative process," he said, pointing out that the breakneck rehearsal speed and 90-minute running time of the weekly "SNL" means he does a lot of design, staging and blocking of the sketches.

But he maintains that his Emmy, like the Daytime Emmy he was awarded in 1976, is not so much a recognition of his direction as it is for being part of a larger effort.

"I'm old enough, and mature enough, to see that I got those awards because I was in the right place at the right time," he said, "although I am going to keep the statue."

He also said the notoriously intense process of producing "SNL" weekly during its season works well for him.

"We meet the host on Monday," he said. "The writers write all day and night Tuesday and bring in about 45 sketches for us to look over on Wednesday. We narrow it down on Wednesday night while putting together props, makeup, set and music.

"On Thursday, we finally get the material and rehearse. On Friday, we keep rehearsing, with a final dress rehearsal Saturday at 8 p.m. The writers work to edit the sketches and we get the final script about 30 minutes before the 11:30 air time."

Because he is off during the early part of the week, he said he looks forward to spending that time with his 12-year-old daughter, Cameron.

He's also recently been able to realize his dream of performing. Last summer, Mr. King was approached by the producers of "Morning Glory," a new film starring Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton and Rachel McAdams.

The producers asked him to be a creative consultant on the film, which is about a morning TV show. During the process, it became clear he'd also be a great addition to the cast -- naturally, he plays the show's director.

"I loved it; it was just fabulous," said Mr. King, who added that the chance to work for director Roger Michell, who directed the Julia Roberts romantic comedy "Notting Hill," was a great opportunity. The film will come out in November.

Mr. King said he can't point to any specific Pittsburgh trait or lesson that has led to his success, but added that certain aspects have helped -- including strong values and a solid work ethic.

"I feel proud of the way I was raised and where I come from," he said. "I've worked hard to get where I am, but I'd be satisfied if I were half the man my dad was."

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