Life is full of challenges, and David Letterman faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.
David Letterman is an influential American television host, comedian, writer, and producer known for his long tenure in late-night television. He hosted 'Late Night with David Letterman' on NBC starting in 1982, then moved to CBS with 'Late Show with David Letterman,' ending his run in 2015. Letterman surpassed Johnny Carson to become the longest-serving late-night talk show host in American television history, hosting a total of 6,080 episodes.
In 1981, David Letterman stopped drinking alcohol, after being a "horrible alcoholic" since the age of 11 or 13.
Beginning in May 1988, David Letterman was stalked by Margaret Mary Ray, a woman with schizophrenia, who stole his Porsche, camped on his tennis court, and broke into his house.
In October 1998, Margaret Mary Ray, David Letterman's stalker, died by suicide at age 46. Letterman expressed compassion for her to The New York Times.
On January 14, 2000, a routine checkup revealed a severely obstructed artery in David Letterman's heart, leading to emergency quintuple bypass surgery at New York Presbyterian Hospital. During his recovery, friends of Letterman, including Norm Macdonald, Drew Barrymore, and Robin Williams, introduced reruns of the Late Show.
In 2000, David Letterman had an emergency quintuple-bypass heart surgery. He later hosted a doctor and nurse who'd helped perform the surgery that saved his life. He became close friends with them.
In March 2002, as David Letterman's contract with CBS neared expiration, ABC offered him the time slot for Nightline with Ted Koppel. He considered the offer but ultimately re-signed with CBS.
In February 2003, David Letterman used several guest hosts (including Bill Cosby, Brad Garrett, and Whoopi Goldberg) on the show because he was diagnosed with a severe case of shingles.
In 2005, a woman obtained a restraining order from a New Mexico judge against David Letterman, claiming he sent her coded messages via his television program, which caused her bankruptcy and emotional distress.
In 2005, police discovered a plot to kidnap David Letterman's son and demand a $5 million ransom.
In 2007 Late Show with David Letterman went off air for eight weeks during November and December because of the Writers Guild of America strike.
On January 2, 2008, Late Show returned to the air after eight weeks due to the Writers Guild of America strike. David Letterman surprised the audience with a newly grown beard.
On January 7, 2008, David Letterman's beard, grown in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America strike, was shaved off during the show.
On October 1, 2009, David Letterman announced on his show that he had been the victim of a blackmail attempt regarding his sexual relationships with female employees.
On October 2, 2009, Joe Halderman pleaded not guilty to a charge of attempted grand larceny.
In March 2010, Joe Halderman pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six months in prison, followed by probation and community service.
On August 17, 2011, an Islamist militant posted a death threat against David Letterman on a website frequented by Al-Qaeda supporters, calling on American Muslims to kill him for joking about the death of Ilyas Kashmiri.
In 2015, David Letterman discussed his anxiety, stating he became calmer through Transcendental Meditation and low doses of medication.
In August 2021, David Letterman was hospitalized in Providence, Rhode Island, after hitting his head on the sidewalk and falling unconscious.
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