David Letterman
“Thirty-three years of the raised eyebrow. Then a shed, a son, and a longer conversation.”
In 1982, Letterman launched Late Night with David Letterman on NBC, bringing an ironic, absurdist sensibility to late-night television. The show's experimental bits and deadpan host reinvented the genre for a new generation.
Indiana to Late Night
An Indianapolis native and former weatherman, Letterman honed a sardonic comic voice in Los Angeles clubs. A failed morning show preceded his late-night breakthrough on NBC.
Reinventing the Format
Late Night blended ironic detachment with stunts, Top Ten lists, and recurring characters. His style influenced a generation of comedians and talk-show hosts.
The CBS Years
After a public battle to succeed Johnny Carson, Letterman moved to CBS in 1993. Over 22 more years he became the longest-serving host in American late-night history.
Career Timeline
- 1947Born in Indianapolis.
- 1982Late Night on NBC.
- 1993The Late Show on CBS.
- 2001The post-9/11 monologue.
- 2015Walks away. Colbert takes the theater.
Biggest Hits
- Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants, also produced the hit sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond.
- He delivered the first late-night show after 9/11, setting a somber tone praised nationwide.
Portrait: Zach Catanzareti Photo · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons