Conan O'Brien is an American television personality widely recognized for hosting late-night talk shows. His most notable shows include 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien,' 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien,' and 'Conan.' Prior to hosting, he wrote for 'Saturday Night Live' and 'The Simpsons.' O'Brien also hosts the podcast 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend' and starred in the travel show 'Conan O'Brien Must Go.'
Thomas Francis O'Brien, Conan O'Brien's father, was born in 1929.
Ruth O'Brien (née Reardon), Conan O'Brien's mother, was born in 1931.
On April 18, 1963, Conan Christopher O'Brien was born in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Conan O'Brien began his studies at Harvard University in 1981.
In 1984, Conan O'Brien cast his first vote for president, supporting Walter Mondale, and registered as a Democrat.
Conan O'Brien graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University in 1985.
During a writers' strike from "Saturday Night Live" following the 1987–88 season, Conan O'Brien joined fellow SNL writers Bob Odenkirk and Robert Smigel in Chicago for an improvisational comedy revue called "Happy Happy Good Show".
Conan O'Brien was hired by Lorne Michaels to be a writer on "Saturday Night Live" in January 1988.
Conan O'Brien was hired as a writer for "Saturday Night Live" in 1988.
Conan O'Brien and his fellow writers on "Saturday Night Live" were honored with an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 1989.
Conan O'Brien made a memorable appearance on "Saturday Night Live" in 1990 as a doorman in a sketch featuring Tom Hanks's induction into the "Five-Timers Club".
In 1991, Conan O'Brien joined the writing team of "The Simpsons," marking the beginning of his tenure on the show.
In 1991, following the failure of his sitcom and a broken engagement, Conan O'Brien decided to leave "Saturday Night Live", citing burnout.
Conan O'Brien started working as a writer for "The Simpsons" in 1991.
In 1992, Conan O'Brien purchased a Ford Taurus SHO, which later became part of a long-running gag when he showcased it on his shows.
On April 26, 1993, Conan O'Brien was chosen to host "Late Night," a significant turning point in his career. This decision came while he was still under contract with "The Simpsons," leading to negotiations for his release.
"Late Night with Conan O'Brien" premiered on September 13, 1993, met with mixed reviews and initial skepticism due to O'Brien's lack of public recognition at the time.
Conan O'Brien's time as a writer and producer for "The Simpsons" came to an end in 1993.
In 1993, Conan O'Brien took over from David Letterman as the host of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien".
David Letterman's appearance on "Late Night" in February 1994 provided a much-needed morale boost for the show, particularly for Conan O'Brien, as Letterman was a respected figure in late-night television.
In 1994, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" faced significant challenges, including the threat of cancellation due to low ratings and uncertainty about O'Brien's performance as host.
Robert Smigel, the head writer for "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," left the show in January 1995, citing burnout.
Conan O'Brien was the host of the White House Correspondents' Dinner in 1995.
In 1995, Conan O'Brien served as the master of ceremonies for the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, D.C.
Beginning in 1996, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and its writing team received annual nominations for the Emmy Award for Best Writing in a Comedy or Variety Series.
"Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and its writing staff earned their first Writers Guild Award for Best Writing in a Comedy/Variety Series in 1997.
In 1999, Conan O'Brien made a guest appearance on the animated series "Futurama", lending his voice to a head in a jar, showcasing his versatility and comedic timing.
In 2000, during his Harvard Class Day speech, Conan O'Brien publicly acknowledged the significant impact "The Simpsons" had on his career, referring to it as a saving grace during a challenging period.
In 2000, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" received its second Writers Guild Award for Best Writing in a Comedy/Variety Series.
In 2000, Conan O'Brien met Elizabeth Ann "Liza" Powel during a skit on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, where she appeared as a senior copywriter.
Conan O'Brien founded his television production company, Conaco, in 2001, which subsequently became involved in the production of "Late Night." That same year, he returned to "Saturday Night Live" as host during its 26th season.
Conan O'Brien returned to "Saturday Night Live" as a host in 2001.
"Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and its writing staff were honored with their third Writers Guild Award for Best Writing in a Comedy/Variety Series in 2002.
Conan O'Brien and Robert Smigel's television pilot "Lookwell", which aired on NBC in 1991 but did not get picked up for a series, was rerun on the Trio Network in 2002.
Conan O'Brien married Elizabeth Ann Powel in 2002 in Seattle, after dating for nearly 18 months.
Conan O'Brien served as the host of the Emmy Awards in 2002.
In 2002, Conan O'Brien hosted the 54th Primetime Emmy Awards, earning critical acclaim for his performance.
In 2003, Conan O'Brien and Elizabeth Ann Powel welcomed their daughter, Neve, into the world.
The writing team behind "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" earned their fourth Writers Guild Award for Best Writing in a Comedy/Variety Series in 2003.
In 2004, Conan secured a deal with NBC that promised his succession of Jay Leno as the host of "The Tonight Show" in 2009. This agreement played a crucial role in retaining him at NBC, despite potentially more lucrative offers elsewhere.
In 2004, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" received its fifth Writers Guild Award for Best Writing in a Comedy/Variety Series, recognizing the show's consistent excellence in writing.
By October 2005, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" had established a consistent viewership of around 2.5 million viewers, demonstrating its enduring popularity.
Conan O'Brien and Elizabeth Ann Powel's son, Beckett, was born in 2005.
Starting in September 2006, Conan O'Brien was stalked by Father David Ajemian, who sent letters signed as "your priest stalker" and later issued death threats before being arrested.
Conan O'Brien hosted the 58th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2006, again receiving critical acclaim for his engaging performance.
Conan O'Brien hosted the Emmy Awards for the second time in 2006.
In 2006, Conan O'Brien co-founded the anti-hunger organization Labels Are For Jars with Father Paul B. O'Brien and helped open the Cor Unum meal center in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
In 2006, Conan O'Brien's resemblance to Tarja Halonen, then President of Finland, inspired a series of comedic segments and a memorable remote for "Late Night." O'Brien traveled to Finland, met with Halonen, and the experience was aired as a one-hour special.
In 2007, "Andy Barker, P.I.", an adventure/comedy series starring Andy Richter and executive produced and co-written by Conan O'Brien, premiered on NBC, showcasing O'Brien's comedic sensibilities.
In 2007, "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" won its first and only Emmy Award for Best Writing in a Comedy or Variety Series.
In 2007, Conan purchased a penthouse apartment in Central Park West, New York, for $10 million. This real estate investment later became part of his financial decisions following his departure from "The Tonight Show."
The 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike significantly impacted late-night television, including shows like "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "The Daily Show," and "The Colbert Report."
In January 2008, after a two-month hiatus due to the Writers Guild of America strike, Conan O'Brien returned to late-night TV sporting a beard, which was humorously commented on by guest Tom Brokaw.
On April 8, 2008, Father David Ajemian pleaded guilty to stalking Conan O'Brien and was later laicized.
During the 2008 Writers Guild of America strike, Conan O'Brien participated in a comedic feud with Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show" and Stephen Colbert of "The Colbert Report." The mock dispute centered around their perceived influence on Mike Huckabee's presidential campaign.
On February 20, 2009, Conan O'Brien bid farewell to "Late Night" with a memorable final episode featuring clips, surprise guests like Andy Richter, Will Ferrell, John Mayer, and the White Stripes. He concluded by destroying the set, distributing pieces to the audience, and expressing gratitude to individuals like Lorne Michaels, David Letterman, Jay Leno, his family, and more.
A significant milestone in Conan's career occurred on June 1, 2009, when he hosted his first episode of "The Tonight Show," fulfilling a lifelong dream. Will Ferrell was his inaugural guest on the couch, with Pearl Jam as the musical guest.
During a sketch with Teri Hatcher on September 25, 2009, Conan experienced a mild concussion after slipping and hitting his head. While a rerun aired that evening, he resumed work the following day, even incorporating the incident into his comedic material.
By November 2009, Conan's "The Tonight Show" experienced a viewership decline of approximately 2 million compared to Jay Leno's previous year's figures. This decline became a factor in NBC's decision to reconsider its late-night lineup.
In 2009, on an episode of Inside the Actors Studio, Conan O'Brien spoke about his 100% Irish Catholic heritage, tracing his lineage back to ancestors who moved to America from Ireland starting in the 1850s.
In 2009, Conan O'Brien moved from New York City to Los Angeles to host The Tonight Show at Universal Studios Hollywood, purchasing a $10.5-million mansion in Brentwood.
In 2009, Conan O'Brien relocated from New York to Los Angeles to host his own version of "The Tonight Show".
On January 7, 2010, NBC executives, including Jeff Zucker, convened with Conan and Jay Leno to address declining ratings for O'Brien's "Tonight Show" and Leno's primetime show. A proposal surfaced to reinstate Leno to late night, potentially impacting Conan's position.
In January 2010, NBC ordered two pilots from Conan O'Brien's production company, Conaco, including the courtroom drama "Outlaw" and a half-hour comedy, demonstrating O'Brien's success as a producer.
Conan and NBC reached a settlement agreement on January 21, 2010, marking his exit from "The Tonight Show." The deal included a $45 million payout, with $12 million designated for his staff who relocated with him from New York to Los Angeles.
Conan publicly addressed his departure from "The Tonight Show" on January 22, 2010. His words hinted at the unexpected and abrupt nature of the situation, likening it to a sudden and tumultuous end of a marriage.
On February 8, 2010, news broke of Conan listing his Central Park West penthouse in New York City for $35 million. Acquired in 2007 for $10 million, the sale coincided with speculation about his post-NBC plans and a potential desire to remain in Los Angeles.
On March 11, 2010, Conan took to Twitter to announce his "Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour," a 30-city venture commencing on April 12, 2010. Joined by Andy Richter and former "Tonight Show" band members, the tour symbolized his return to live performance amidst the NBC situation.
Conan's comedy tour, "Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television," kicked off on April 12, 2010, in Eugene, Oregon. The tour, featuring Andy Richter and members of his band (excluding Max Weinberg, except for a guest appearance), marked his return to the stage.
Conan broke his silence about the "Tonight Show" ordeal on May 2, 2010, in an interview with Steve Kroft on "60 Minutes." Barred from television appearances until May, he shared his perspective, comparing the situation to a sudden and difficult breakup. He also expressed his belief that NBC should have granted him more time and emphasized his overall well-being despite the circumstances.
Following his departure from NBC, Conan's settlement allowed him to pursue opportunities with other networks starting September 2010. Speculation about his next move included Fox, Comedy Central, TNT, HBO, FX, Showtime, Revision3, and even NBC Universal's USA Network.
On September 15, 2010, "Outlaw", a one-hour courtroom drama produced by Conan O'Brien's production company, Conaco, premiered on NBC, marking O'Brien's foray into different television genres.
Conan's new show, simply titled "Conan," debuted on TBS on November 8, 2010, marking his return to late-night television. Initially hesitant to displace George Lopez's show, Conan was persuaded to join TBS, with his show airing at 11:00 p.m. ET.
In 2010, Conan O'Brien left The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien and again grew a beard, which became a notable part of his appearance until May 2011.
In 2010, Conan O'Brien left "The Tonight Show" due to network issues. Following his departure, he launched a 32-city live comedy tour titled "The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour".
The documentary "Conan O'Brien Can't Stop," capturing Conan's journey during his comedy tour, premiered at the South by Southwest festival in March 2011. Directed by his Harvard classmate and friend Rodman Flender, the film offered a behind-the-scenes look at his post-"Tonight Show" experience.
In May 2011, Conan O'Brien's beard was partially shaved by Will Ferrell on the set of Conan, with the rest of it being completely shaved off-screen by a professional barber.
On June 12, 2011, Conan O'Brien was awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College and delivered the commencement speech.
On October 21, 2011, Conan O'Brien was ordained as a minister by the Universal Life Church Monastery, allowing him to perform a same-sex marriage.
On November 3, 2011, Conan O'Brien performed a same-sex marriage on the stage of the Beacon Theatre, the first such ceremony broadcast on American late-night television.
The documentary "Conan O'Brien Can't Stop", which centered around Conan O'Brien's comedy tour, was released in 2011.
In 2011, Conan O'Brien guest-starred as himself in three episodes of the web series "Web Therapy", opposite Lisa Kudrow, highlighting his comedic timing and willingness to embrace new media.
Conan O'Brien hosted the Christmas in Washington special in 2011 for TNT, featuring celebrity performances and a special appearance by the Obama family.
Continuing from the previous year, Conan O'Brien hosted the Christmas in Washington special again in 2012, featuring more celebrity performances and another appearance by the Obama family.
Conan O'Brien hosted the White House Correspondents' Association dinner once again in 2013, bringing his comedic flair to the event.
Conan O'Brien hosted the White House Correspondents' Dinner for a second time in 2013.
In 2013, Conan O'Brien lent his voice to the character of talk show host Dave Endochrine in the animated film "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (Part 2)", demonstrating his voice acting skills and affinity for comic book adaptations.
In 2014, Conan O'Brien took on the role of host for the MTV Movie Awards, adding another notable hosting gig to his career.
In 2014, TBS extended "Conan" through 2018, demonstrating the network's confidence in the show's continued success.
In February 2015, Conan O'Brien became the first American television personality to film in Cuba in over half a century, marking a thaw in Cuban-American relations.
With David Letterman's retirement on May 20, 2015, Conan O'Brien became the longest-working active late-night talk show host in the United States.
In April 2016, Conan O'Brien visited South Korea, including the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), where he and Steven Yeun briefly stepped into North Korea, highlighting the significance of open communication.
Conan O'Brien purchased an ocean-front house in Carpinteria, California in 2016.
In 2016, Conan O'Brien hosted the 5th Annual NFL Honors in San Francisco, California, celebrating the achievements of the NFL's best players.
In 2017, TBS further extended "Conan" through 2022, indicating the show's enduring popularity and O'Brien's enduring appeal as a late-night host.
On November 18, 2018, Conan O'Brien's weekly podcast, "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend", debuted with Will Ferrell as the first guest, exploring O'Brien's desire for genuine connections with celebrities.
Conan O'Brien started his podcast, "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend", in 2018.
In 2018, Conan O'Brien took a three-month hiatus from his show to launch another national comedy tour, showcasing his stand-up comedy.
In 2018, Conan O'Brien's international travel series, "Conan Without Borders", won an Emmy Award, recognizing its popularity and critical acclaim.
Conan O'Brien hosted a reunion special in Northern Ireland for the final season of Game of Thrones in 2018, which was later released on HBO Max in 2021.
On January 22, 2019, "Conan" returned from a hiatus with a new half-hour format, without the live band, marking a significant change in the show's structure.
In 2019, Conan O'Brien made a guest appearance as the "Wandering MC" in the video game "Death Stranding", showcasing his comedic personality and expanding his presence into the world of video games.
On March 30, 2020, "Conan" switched to a remotely-produced format from O'Brien's home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, reflecting the widespread impact of the pandemic on television production.
In July 2020, "Conan" became one of the first American late-night talk shows to return to filming outside of the host's residence, albeit still not from its main studio, adapting to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In November 2020, TBS announced that "Conan" would end in June 2021, bringing an end to O'Brien's long-running late-night show and leading to speculation about his future projects.
Conan O'Brien retired from late-night television in June 2021, marking the end of his nearly 30-year run as a late-night host.
In June 2021, it was announced that Conan O'Brien would move to HBO Max for a weekly untitled variety show, allowing him to explore new creative avenues and connect with a different audience.
On June 24, 2021, the final episode of "Conan" aired, marking the end of O'Brien's twenty-eight-year run as a late-night host and featuring a live audience, special guests, and memorable moments.
By August 2021, "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend" had been downloaded over 250 million times, averaging over 9 million downloads per month, demonstrating its immense popularity and critical acclaim.
Conan O'Brien's tenure hosting "Conan" came to an end in 2021.
The Game of Thrones reunion special hosted by Conan O'Brien was released on HBO Max in 2021, bringing fans a nostalgic look at the series.
On February 26, 2022, Conan O'Brien made a cameo appearance as himself on "Saturday Night Live", inducting John Mulaney into the Five-Timers Club, highlighting his comedic influence and connections.
In May 2022, Conan O'Brien's podcast and the entire Team Coco digital media business, including podcasts like "Inside Conan" and "Parks and Recollection", were sold to SiriusXM for $150 million, signifying a major shift in O'Brien's career and the growing influence of podcasting.
In July 2022, Conan O'Brien listed his ocean-front house in Carpinteria, California for sale for $16.5 million.
Conan O'Brien made a cameo appearance on "Saturday Night Live" in 2022.
In 2017, TBS further extended "Conan" through 2022, indicating the show's enduring popularity and O'Brien's enduring appeal as a late-night host.
On May 17, 2023, a four-episode international travel series titled "Conan O'Brien Must Go" was announced, building upon the success of O'Brien's previous travel segments and podcast interactions.
As of 2023, Conan O'Brien holds the distinction of being the longest-running host in the history of the "Late Night" franchise.
On April 18, 2024, "Conan O'Brien Must Go" premiered on HBO Max to widespread critical acclaim, showcasing O'Brien's comedic talents and his ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds.
In May 2024, "Conan O'Brien Must Go" was renewed for a second season of six episodes, indicating the show's success and the positive reception of O'Brien's unique brand of travel entertainment.
Conan O'Brien is set to appear in the travel show "Conan O'Brien Must Go", which will be available on Max in 2024.