Early Life and Education of Conan O'Brien: A Complete Timeline
An overview of the childhood and early education of Conan O'Brien, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.
Conan O'Brien is a prominent American television personality renowned for his long-running career as a late-night talk show host. He helmed Late Night and The Tonight Show on NBC, followed by Conan on TBS. Prior to his hosting endeavors, O'Brien honed his comedic writing skills on Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons. Since 2018, he has hosted the podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend. His latest venture is the travel show Conan O'Brien Must Go.
1929: Birth of Thomas Francis O'Brien
In 1929, Thomas Francis O'Brien, Conan O'Brien's father, was born.
1931: Birth of Ruth O'Brien
In 1931, Ruth O'Brien, Conan O'Brien's mother, was born.
April 18, 1963: Conan O'Brien's Birth
Conan Christopher O'Brien was born on April 18, 1963, in Brookline, Massachusetts.
1981: Entering Harvard University
In 1981, Conan O'Brien entered Harvard University after graduating as valedictorian.
1984: First Vote
In 1984, Conan O'Brien cast his first vote for president for Walter Mondale and has been a registered Democrat since.
1985: Graduation from Harvard
In 1985, Conan O'Brien graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Literature.
1992: Ford Taurus SHO
In 1992, Conan O'Brien brought his 1992 Ford Taurus SHO with him to California.
2000: Meeting Liza Powel
In 2000, Conan O'Brien met Elizabeth Ann "Liza" Powel when she appeared in a pre-taped sketch on Late Night with Conan O'Brien as a copywriter for Foote, Cone & Belding.
2002: Marriage to Liza Powel
In 2002, Conan O'Brien and Liza Powel married in Powel's hometown of Seattle after dating for nearly 18 months.
2003: Birth of Daughter Neve
In 2003, Conan O'Brien and Liza Powel had a daughter named Neve.
2005: Birth of Son Beckett
In 2005, Conan O'Brien and Liza Powel had a son named Beckett.
2006: Finnish Presidential Election Influence
In 2006, Conan O'Brien and Late Night aired mock political ads in support of Tarja Halonen and against Sauli Niinistö during the Finnish presidential election, capitalizing on O'Brien's resemblance to Halonen. This influenced public perception, and Halonen eventually won. Subsequently, O'Brien traveled to Finland and met with Halonen.
2006: Cor Unum Meal Center Opening
In 2006, Conan O'Brien helped open the Cor Unum meal center in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
2007: Purchase of Central Park West Penthouse
In 2007, Conan O'Brien purchased a Central Park West penthouse in New York for $10 million, later attempting to sell it for $35 million in 2010.
January 2008: Sports a Beard
In January 2008, after the Writers Guild of America strike, Conan O'Brien reemerged on late-night TV sporting a beard, which guest Tom Brokaw compared to "a draft dodger from the Civil War."
February 20, 2009: Last Episode of Late Night
On February 20, 2009, NBC broadcast the final episode of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, featuring past clips, an appearance by Andy Richter, and appearances by Will Ferrell, John Mayer, and the White Stripes. O'Brien concluded by destroying the set.
September 25, 2009: Concussion on The Tonight Show
On September 25, 2009, Conan O'Brien suffered a mild concussion after slipping and hitting his head during a comedy sketch with Teri Hatcher on The Tonight Show. He was released from the hospital the same day and returned to work the following Monday.
2009: Moves to Los Angeles
In 2009, Conan O'Brien purchased a $10.5-million mansion in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, to prepare for his move from New York City to host The Tonight Show.
2009: Irish Catholic Heritage
On a 2009 episode of Inside the Actors Studio, Conan O'Brien stated that he is 100% Irish Catholic, with ancestors from both sides of his family moving to America from Ireland starting in the 1850s and marrying only other Irish Catholics.
January 22, 2010: Final Tonight Show Episode
On January 22, 2010, the final episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien aired, featuring guests Tom Hanks, Steve Carell, Neil Young, and Will Ferrell. The episode included musical performances and farewells.
February 8, 2010: Attempt to Sell Central Park West Penthouse
On February 8, 2010, Conan O'Brien attempted to sell his Central Park West penthouse in New York for $35 million, having purchased it in 2007 for $10 million.
2010: Grows a Beard
In 2010, after leaving The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien, Conan O'Brien grew a beard.
May 2011: Beard Shaved on Conan
In May 2011, Conan O'Brien's beard was partially shaved on the set of Conan by Will Ferrell (and completely shaved off-screen by a professional barber).
June 12, 2011: Honorary Degree from Dartmouth
On June 12, 2011, Conan O'Brien was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College and delivered the commencement speech.
October 21, 2011: Ordained as a Minister
On October 21, 2011, Conan O'Brien was ordained as a minister by the Universal Life Church Monastery.
November 3, 2011: Same-Sex Marriage on Conan
On November 3, 2011, Conan O'Brien performed a same-sex marriage on the stage of the Beacon Theatre for his show Conan. The ceremony was the first to be broadcast on American late night television.
2014: TBS Show Extended Through 2018
In 2014, TBS extended Conan O'Brien's show through 2018.
February 2015: Filming in Cuba
In February 2015, Conan O'Brien became the first American television personality in over half a century to film in Cuba.
April 2016: Visit to South Korea and North Korea
In April 2016, Conan O'Brien visited South Korea and, technically, North Korea by stepping across the border at the Korean Demilitarized Zone with Steven Yeun.
2016: Ocean-front House
In 2016, Conan O'Brien purchased an ocean-front house in Carpinteria, California.
2017: TBS Show Extended Through 2022
In 2017, TBS extended Conan O'Brien's show through 2022.
2018: Emmy Win for Conan Without Borders
In 2018, Conan Without Borders won an Emmy award.
2018: Three-Month Hiatus for Comedy Tour
In late 2018, Conan O'Brien took a three-month hiatus from his show to launch another national comedy tour.
January 22, 2019: Return of Conan in Half-Hour Format
On January 22, 2019, Conan returned to TBS in a new half-hour format without a live band.
March 30, 2020: Remote Production Due to COVID-19
Starting March 30, 2020, Conan's program transitioned to a remotely produced format from his home in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 2020: Filming at Largo at the Coronet
In July 2020, Conan's show continued remotely but began filming with limited staff from the Largo at the Coronet in Los Angeles, becoming the first American late-night show to film outside the host's residence.
November 2020: Announcement of Conan Ending
In November 2020, TBS announced that Conan would end in June 2021.
June 2021: End of Conan on TBS and Move to HBO Max
In June 2021, it was announced that Conan O'Brien would move to HBO Max for a weekly variety show, focusing on his podcast and travel shows.
June 24, 2021: Final Conan Show on TBS
On June 24, 2021, the final episode of Conan aired on TBS, featuring a live audience and marking the end of Conan O'Brien's 28-year run as a late-night host. Homer Simpson, Will Ferrell, and Jack Black appeared on the show.
July 2022: Lists House for Sale
In July 2022, Conan O'Brien listed his ocean-front house in Carpinteria, California for sale for $16.5 million.
2022: TBS Show Extended Through 2022
In 2017, TBS extended Conan O'Brien's show through 2022.
2024: Death of Thomas Francis O'Brien
In 2024, Thomas Francis O'Brien, Conan O'Brien's father, passed away.
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