Biff Henderson discusses his 38-year stage manager career, starting out in the NBC-Radio Sales Department, and his 35-year association with David Letterman

Biff Henderson was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. After graduating from Hampton University, he found employment in Nashville, Tennessee before serving a 13-month tour in Vietnam. Once back stateside, he found himself in New York City working in the NBC-Radio Sales Department. He soon met Marion Stephenson, the vice president of NBC, who encouraged him to pursue a career in television production.
Henderson began his TV production career in NBC’s Technical Operations department during the early 1970s, and transitioned to a staff summer relief stage manager a few years later, working on Another World, and covering the World Series and various NASA space shuttle launches. It wasn’t until 1980 that he began stage managing for David Letterman on The David Letterman Show, making his first on-camera appearance that same year. After the cancellation of The David Letterman Show, he worked with Letterman once more on NBC’s Late Night with David Letterman before making the move to CBS for Late Show with David Letterman in 1995, where he remained as both stage manager and an on-camera personality until 2015. In addition to working with Letterman for 35 years, Henderson has also stage managed for the Today Show, NBC News at Sunrise, NBC Nightly News, NBC Sports, Saturday Night Live, and Later with Bob Costas.
Henderson has been a member of the Guild since 1977.
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Highlights


Working with David Letterman
Stage Manager Biff Henderson talks about his working relationship with David Letterman and how he transitioned into a role as an on-air personality.
Biff Henderson / Working with David Letterman
Stage Manager Biff Henderson talks about his working relationship with David Letterman and how he transitioned into a role as an on-air personality.


Advice for Stage Managers
Henderson highlights the importance of the Stage Manager and gives advice to those who are interested in television production.
Biff Henderson / Advice for Stage Managers
Henderson highlights the importance of the Stage Manager and gives advice to those who are interested in television production.


On Late Night with David Letterman
Henderson speaks about some of the crazy stunts during his early days working on Late Night with David Letterman and how he could always expect something different at work each day.
Biff Henderson / On Late Night with David Letterman
Henderson speaks about some of the crazy stunts during his early days working on Late Night with David Letterman and how he could always expect something different at work each day.