David Letterman
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Born Name:
David Michael Letterman
Born Date: April 12, 1947
Born Place: Indianapolis, Indiana
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Comedian, television host
Brief Biography: David Letterman is an iconic American comedian and television host who revolutionized late-night television over a 33-year career. He began his career as a wisecracking weatherman. He found mainstream success as the host of NBC's Late Night with David Letterman (1982–1993) and CBS's Late Show with David Letterman (1993–2015).
Early Life and Stand-Up:
David Michael Letterman developed a reputation as a class clown and an independent spirit. He attended Ball State University, graduating in 1969 with a degree in telecommunications. He began his broadcasting career in his home state, working as a radio host and a television weather anchor. In 1975, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue comedy writing and started performing regularly at The Comedy Store. His sharp wit and quirky material caught the attention of producers, leading to appearances on game shows and eventually The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1978.
The NBC Years:
Letterman's visibility on The Tonight Show earned him his own daytime talk show, The David Letterman Show, in 1980. Although the show won two Daytime Emmy Awards, its unconventional humor did not resonate with daytime audiences and was canceled after three months. NBC soon gave him a late-night slot, premiering Late Night with David Letterman in February 1982. This show became a massive hit with younger audiences. It pioneered a uniquely ironic, sarcastic, and absurd comedic style. The program famously introduced the "Top Ten List," nonsensical skits like "Stupid Pet Tricks," and roving cameras that captured surreal interactions with everyday people.
The CBS Years:
When Johnny Carson retired in 1992, NBC chose Jay Leno to host The Tonight Show. Feeling passed over, Letterman left NBC in 1993 to launch the Late Show with David Letterman on CBS, directly competing with Leno in the same time slot. The Late Show became a major ratings success and anchored late-night television for over two decades. Throughout his tenure, Letterman hosted 6,028 episodes of Late Night and the Late Show, surpassing Johnny Carson as the longest-serving late-night talk show host in American television history. He hosted his final episode of the Late Show on May 20, 2015, and was succeeded by Stephen Colbert.
Career Beyond Late Night:
Outside of hosting, Letterman founded the production company Worldwide Pants, which produced hit television shows like Everybody Loves Raymond. In 2017, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the highest honor in U.S. comedy. Letterman later returned to television with the Netflix interview series My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, further cementing his legacy as one of the most influential comedic voices of a generation.
Born Date: April 12, 1947
Born Place: Indianapolis, Indiana
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Comedian, television host
Brief Biography: David Letterman is an iconic American comedian and television host who revolutionized late-night television over a 33-year career. He began his career as a wisecracking weatherman. He found mainstream success as the host of NBC's Late Night with David Letterman (1982–1993) and CBS's Late Show with David Letterman (1993–2015).
Early Life and Stand-Up:
David Michael Letterman developed a reputation as a class clown and an independent spirit. He attended Ball State University, graduating in 1969 with a degree in telecommunications. He began his broadcasting career in his home state, working as a radio host and a television weather anchor. In 1975, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue comedy writing and started performing regularly at The Comedy Store. His sharp wit and quirky material caught the attention of producers, leading to appearances on game shows and eventually The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1978.
The NBC Years:
Letterman's visibility on The Tonight Show earned him his own daytime talk show, The David Letterman Show, in 1980. Although the show won two Daytime Emmy Awards, its unconventional humor did not resonate with daytime audiences and was canceled after three months. NBC soon gave him a late-night slot, premiering Late Night with David Letterman in February 1982. This show became a massive hit with younger audiences. It pioneered a uniquely ironic, sarcastic, and absurd comedic style. The program famously introduced the "Top Ten List," nonsensical skits like "Stupid Pet Tricks," and roving cameras that captured surreal interactions with everyday people.
The CBS Years:
When Johnny Carson retired in 1992, NBC chose Jay Leno to host The Tonight Show. Feeling passed over, Letterman left NBC in 1993 to launch the Late Show with David Letterman on CBS, directly competing with Leno in the same time slot. The Late Show became a major ratings success and anchored late-night television for over two decades. Throughout his tenure, Letterman hosted 6,028 episodes of Late Night and the Late Show, surpassing Johnny Carson as the longest-serving late-night talk show host in American television history. He hosted his final episode of the Late Show on May 20, 2015, and was succeeded by Stephen Colbert.
Career Beyond Late Night:
Outside of hosting, Letterman founded the production company Worldwide Pants, which produced hit television shows like Everybody Loves Raymond. In 2017, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the highest honor in U.S. comedy. Letterman later returned to television with the Netflix interview series My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, further cementing his legacy as one of the most influential comedic voices of a generation.