After stints as a weatherman, news anchor and standup comic, this sarcastic gap-toothed performer came to prominence in the '80s with his eponymous late-night talk show on NBC. His offbeat signature bits ("Tonight's Top 10," "Stupid Pet Tricks"), surly attitude and frequent send-ups of the entertainment industry made him a hit with critics and viewers. When NBC failed to give Letterman
The Tonight Show after Johnny Carson retired, the disgruntled host jumped to CBS in 1993. Although Letterman's shtick has mellowed over the years, he is still fanatically secretive about his private life. His long-term relationship with collaborator Merrill Markoe ended in 1987, and at age 56 he had a son with girlfriend Regina Lasko.
David Letterman Fast Facts:
- Started out as a TV weatherman and reportedly congratulated a tropical storm on being upgraded to hurricane status.
- Won several Daytime Emmys in 1980 for The David Letterman Show, which was cancelled after three months.
- Co-owner of the Rahal Letterman Racing team, which won the Indy 500 in 2004.
- Comparing himself to Oprah Winfrey: "[She] was once honored as TV Guide's performer of the year; [I] was 23 down in the TV Guide crossword."
- "I cannot sing, dance or act," he quipped. "What else would I be but a talk-show host."
- David Letterman Relationships:
- Dorothy Letterman - Mother
- Gretchen - Sister
- Harry Joseph Letterman - Father
- Harry Joseph Letterman - Son
- Janice - Sister
- Merrill Markoe - Ex-significant Other
- Michele Cook - Ex-wife
- Regina Lasko - Wife
- David Letterman Awards:
- 2009 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2009 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 2005 People's Choice Awards: Favorite Late Night Talk Show Host - Winner
- 1987 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 1988 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 1988 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 1989 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 1985 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1990 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1992 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program (series) - Nominee
- 1993 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1994 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Winner
- 1995 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1996 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series - Nominee
- 1996 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1985 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1985 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1985 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Winner
- 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
- 1984 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1984 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1984 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Winner
- 1988 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1989 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1990 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1991 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1992 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1993 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1994 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1995 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1998 Emmy: Outstanding Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 2006 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 1987 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Winner
- 1984 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 1991 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 1985 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 1986 Emmy: Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- 1986 Emmy: Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program - Winner
- 2008 Emmy: Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program - Nominee
- 2008 Emmy: Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program - Nominee
- College:
- Ball State University, Muncie, IN (BA in Telecommunications, 1969)
