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David Letterman is a name synonymous with late-night television. For over three decades, he captivated audiences around the world with his distinct brand of comedy, compelling interviews, and irreverent wit. As the host of “Late Night with David Letterman” and later “The Late Show with David Letterman,” he became an iconic figure in the entertainment industry, revolutionizing the genre and influencing countless talk show hosts that followed in his footsteps. This introduction will delve into the life, career, and lasting impact of David Letterman, exploring the reasons why he is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential talk show hosts in television history.
(1947-)
Who Is David Letterman?
Born on April 12, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana, David Letterman’s big break came when he began appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He was eventually offered his own program, Late Night with David Letterman, on which he featured such popular segments as Stupid Pet Tricks. When NBC gave Carson’s spot to Jay Leno in 1992, Letterman moved to CBS to host Late Show for the next two-plus decades. Following a hiatus, the funnyman returned to hosting with My Next Guest Needs No Introduction in early 2018.
Early Life and Career
Television personality and talk show host David Letterman was born on April 12, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Harry Joseph Letterman, a florist, and Dorothy, a church secretary who appeared regularly as a correspondent on his late-night talk show. He has two sisters, Janice and Gretchen.
Letterman is best known for his gap-toothed self-mockery, and his brash, wry, somewhat cynical sense of humor. His unconventional demeanor and sense of humor attracted a cult following, which has gone on to inspire countless comedians and talk show hosts who have followed him.
Letterman studied radio and television at Ball State University, in Muncie, Indiana (B.A.,1969). He worked in Indianapolis as a radio talk-show host, the host of a children’s program and a late-night movie show, a news anchor and as a television weatherman, where his brand of humor was already evident, if not necessarily appreciated. One night he reportedly upset his bosses when he congratulated a tropical storm on being upgraded to a hurricane.
TV Writer and ‘Tonight Show’ Guest Host
In 1975, Letterman moved to Los Angeles and wrote material for popular sitcoms, including Good Times. His big break came when he began appearing on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, whom he has since referred to as his mentor. In 1978, he became Carson’s regular guest host, and in 1980, he was offered his own daytime show, the David Letterman Show. The show only lasted for three months, but was a critical success, and convinced NBC-TV to give the young comedian a late-night show following Carson’s The Tonight Show.
‘Late Night with David Letterman’
The late-late show hour was well-suited to Letterman’s brash and quirky humor. Late Night with David Letterman soon became popular with a young audience by mixing the usual talk-show ingredients of celebrity guests and music with his irreverent manner and zany comic stunts.
Letterman’s signature features included The Top Ten List, Stupid Pet Tricks (along with its companion, Stupid Human Tricks), Viewer Mail and pencils tossed at the camera and at the set behind him, “breaking” the non-existent glass with a cued crash sound. He also became known for his parody sketches that targeted the obviously weak acting abilities of his bandleader, Paul Shaffer (and other members of The World’s Most Dangerous Band), stagehand Biff Henderson and general oddball Larry “Bud” Melman.
Hosting Controversy and ‘Late Show’ on CBS
After NBC chose Jay Leno as the replacement for the retiring Johnny Carson in 1992 — a position Letterman had publicly desired — Letterman moved to CBS. He signed a lucrative deal to host Late Show with David Letterman, which aired opposite The Tonight Showwith Jay Leno. He also founded his own production company, Worldwide Pants, that same year, which bought a stake in his new show.
His displeasure with NBC executives was fodder for his monologues, and when they blocked him from transferring regular features of his show to CBS (claiming it was NBC’s “intellectual property”) that, too, was mocked on air. The years that followed this head-to-head competition spawned a book and cable movie documenting the late-night talk show “wars.”
Emergency Heart Surgery
On January 14, 2000, Letterman had underwent emergency quintuple heart bypass surgery. In typical Letterman fashion, the recovering patient joked that “in addition to rerouting the arteries, they also installed an E-Z pass.” Letterman’s first post-op show aired on February 21, 2000, featuring Regis Philbin, Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams (wearing medical scrubs) and eight members of the team who took care of Letterman during his stay in the hospital.
Successes and End of ‘Late Show’
In December 2006, Letterman renewed his contract with CBS, agreeing to host Late Show with David Letterman through the fall of 2010. In 2007, he was ranked as No. 17 on the Forbes list of richest men in the entertainment industry, making an estimated $40 million that year. In 2009, Forbes also listed Letterman as No. 14 on its list of most powerful personalities in entertainment.
The magazine cited Letterman’s Peabody Award-winning company, Worldwide Pants, as one of the secrets behind his wealth and power; in addition to Letterman’s show, the company produced successful comedies such as Everybody Loves Raymond and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
In April 2014, David Letterman announced his plans to retire in 2015, and Stephen Colbert was named as his replacement. “I just want to reiterate my thanks for the support from the network, all of the people who have worked here, all of the people in the theater, all of the people on the staff, everybody at home, thank you very much,” Letterman announced on-air to his studio audience.
In October 2017, Letterman was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor which “recognizes people who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain.”
Netflix Show: ‘My Next Guest Needs No Introduction’
Two years after his retirement, the longtime host announced his return to television in a new talk show series on Netflix, titled My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman. “I feel excited and lucky to be working on this project for Netflix,” he said in a statement. “Here’s what I have learned, if you retire to spend more time with your family, check with your family first. Thanks for watching, drive safely.”
With musical contributions from his old bandleader, Shaffer, and sporting a massive gray beard, Letterman debuted My Next Guest Needs No Introduction on January 12, 2018, with former President Barack Obama as his first guest. Following its six-episode first season, season 2 arrived in May 2019.
Wife and Son
Letterman is known for successfully keeping his romantic and private life under tight wraps from the media. He was married to Michele Cook from 1969-’77, after which he was romantically linked to comedienne/writer Merrill Markoe. He then began a relationship with production manager Regina Lasko in the mid ’80s.
Letterman and Lasko celebrated the birth of their son in 2003, and named him after the TV host’s father, Harry Joseph Letterman. On March 19, 2009, the couple wed in a private courthouse ceremony in Choteau, Montana, and Letterman announced his nuptials during the taping of his March 23rd show.
Cheating Scandal and Extortion Attempt
Only months later, their relationship was rocked by a cheating scandal. On October 1, 2009, Letterman announced on his show that he was the victim of an extortion attempt related to his infidelity. That day, Robert “Joe” Halderman, a CBS News producer and boyfriend of Letterman’s longtime assistant Stephanie Birkitt, was arrested for allegedly trying to extort $2 million from Letterman by threatening to expose his affair with Birkitt. In 2010, Halderman pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny and was sentenced to six months in jail, but was released after four months.
After news of the scandal broke, Letterman also apologized to his wife on-air: “She has been horribly hurt by my behavior, and when something happens like that, if you hurt a person and it’s your responsibility, you try to fix it.”
The couple reconciled and now resides with their son on a 108-acre estate in North Salem, New York.
QUICK FACTS
- Name: David Letterman
- Birth Year: 1947
- Birth date: April 12, 1947
- Birth State: Indiana
- Birth City: Indianapolis
- Birth Country: United States
- Gender: Male
- Best Known For: Comedian David Letterman is known for his his irreverent sense of humor and groundbreaking shows ‘Late Night with David Letterman’ and ‘Late Show.’
- Industries
- Television
- Astrological Sign: Aries
- Schools
- Ball State University
- Occupations
- Talk Show Host
Fact Check
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CITATION INFORMATION
- Article Title: David Letterman Biography
- Author: Biography.com Editors
- Website Name: The Biography.com website
- Url: https://www.biography.com/movies-tv/david-letterman
- Access Date:
- Publisher: A&E; Television Networks
- Last Updated: September 3, 2019
- Original Published Date: April 2, 2014
QUOTES
- I’m just trying to make a smudge on the collective unconscious.
In conclusion, David Letterman is a legendary television host who revolutionized the late-night talk show format. His unique blend of humor, wit, and intelligence made him one of the most beloved and influential figures in the industry. Throughout his career, Letterman showcased a wide range of talents, from conducting insightful interviews with celebrities to incorporating inventive segments and comedy sketches into his show. His ability to connect with audiences and make them feel like part of the conversation made him a true pioneer in late-night television. Even after his retirement, Letterman continues to be recognized for his contributions to the industry, as he remains an inspiration for aspiring hosts and comedians. David Letterman’s impact on the world of talk shows is undeniable, and his legacy will continue to resonate for years to come.
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