David Letterman

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David Letterman

David Letterman

Photo credit: 
Everett Collection

David Letterman

Birthday: April 12
Birthplace: Indianapolis, Indiana

David Letterman is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer.

Letterman hosted late night television talk shows for 33 years, beginning with the February 1, 1982, debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC, and ending with the May 20, 2015, broadcast of Late Show with David Letterman on CBS. In total, Letterman hosted 6,080 episodes of Late Night and Late Show, surpassing his friend and mentor Johnny Carson as the longest-serving late night talk show host in American television history.

David Letterman is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer.

Letterman hosted late night television talk shows for 33 years, beginning with the February 1, 1982, debut of Late Night with David Letterman on NBC, and ending with the May 20, 2015, broadcast of Late Show with David Letterman on CBS. In total, Letterman hosted 6,080 episodes of Late Night and Late Show, surpassing his friend and mentor Johnny Carson as the longest-serving late night talk show host in American television history.

In 1996, Letterman was ranked 45th on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time. In 2002, Late Show with David Letterman was ranked seventh on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.

Letterman is also a television and film producer. His company, Worldwide Pants, produced his shows as well as The Late Late Show and several prime-time comedies, the most successful of which was Everybody Loves Raymond, now in syndication.

Several late-night hosts have cited Letterman's influence, including Conan O'Brien (his successor on Late Night), Stephen Colbert (his successor on Late Show), Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, and Seth Meyers.

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Awards & Nominations

50 Nominations | 5 Emmys
Outstanding Variety Talk Series - 2015
Outstanding Children's Nonfiction Program - 2010
  • Nominee
  • David Letterman, Executive Producer
  • When Families Grieve
  • PBS
  • Sesame Workshop in association with Worldwide Pants Incorporated and Lookalike Productions
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series - 2009
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Series - 2009
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program - 2008
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program - 2007
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program - 2006
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program - 2005
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program - 2004
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program - 2003
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program - 2002
Outstanding Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program - 2001
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY OR MUSIC PROGRAM - 1999
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY OR MUSIC PROGRAM - 1998
OUTSTANDING WRITING FOR A VARIETY OR MUSIC PROGRAM - 1997
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series - 1996
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series - 1995
Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series - 1994

The Television Academy database lists prime-time Emmy information. Click here to learn more

The Edge, David Letterman and Bono
David Letterman presents the award for Outstanding Variety Talk Series at the 72nd Emmy Awards.
David Letterman presents the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Talk Series to John Oliver for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver at the 72nd Emmy Awards.
Fill 1
Fill 1
The Edge, David Letterman and Bono
Camera

The Edge, David Letterman and Bono

Disney:Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI
David Letterman presents the award for Outstanding Variety Talk Series at the 72nd Emmy Awards.
Camera

David Letterman presents the award for Outstanding Variety Talk Series at the 72nd Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
David Letterman presents the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Talk Series to John Oliver for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver at the 72nd Emmy Awards.
Camera

David Letterman presents the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Talk Series to John Oliver for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver at the 72nd Emmy Awards.

Invision/AP
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