Born in Massachusetts and educated at Harvard, this self-consciously geeky redhead began his career off screen as a comedy writer for
Saturday Night Live and
The Simpsons. When he was tapped to replace David Letterman as the host of
Late Night in 1993, he was virtually unknown to audiences, with only a handful of on-camera
SNL bits under his belt. Although it took a while for his talk show to pick up steam, eventually it became a juggernaut. Based on his success, NBC announced in 2004 that O'Brien will succeed Jay Leno as the host of
The Tonight Show in 2009.
Conan O'Brien Fast Facts:- Valedictorian of his high-school graduating class.
- While at Harvard, wrote for The Harvard Lampoon and was elected president for two consecutive terms in 1983 and 1984.
- Cowrote and produced (with Robert Smigel) an ill-fated pilot for NBC titled Lookwell, which aired in July 1991 and starred Adam West as a former TV detective turned real-life investigator.
- Plays the guitar.
- Distant cousin of Denis Leary (through marriage).
- In 1996 named by People magazine as one of the 25 Most Intriguing People of the Year.
- Conan O'Brien Relationships:
- Beckett O'Brien - Son
- Dr. Thomas O'Brien - Father
- Jane O'Brien - Sister
- Justin O'Brien - Brother
- Kate O'Brien - Sister
- Liza Powel - Wife
- Luke O'Brien - Brother
- Neal O'Brien - Brother
- Neve O'Brien - Daughter
- Ruth Reardon O'Brien - Mother
- Conan O'Brien Awards:
- 2011 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Talk Show Host - Winner
- 1996 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1997 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1998 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1999 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 2002 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 2003 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 2004 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 2005 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 2006 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 1989 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Winner
- 1990 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1991 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 2011 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2011 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2011 Emmy: Outstanding Creative Achievement in Interactive Media - Nominee
- 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Winner
- 2008 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 2009 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2010 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2010 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- College:
- Harvard University, Cambridge, MA (BA in American History, 1985)