Early Life and Education of David Letterman: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of David Letterman. From birth to education, explore key events.

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.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

July 2, 1968: Marriage to Michelle Cook

On July 2, 1968, David Letterman married his college sweetheart, Michelle Cook, in Muncie, Indiana.

1977: Divorce from Michelle Cook

In 1977, David Letterman divorced his college sweetheart, Michelle Cook.

1978: Relationship with Merrill Markoe begins

In 1978, David Letterman started a long-term cohabiting relationship with Merrill Markoe, the former head writer and producer on Late Night.

1981: Letterman stops drinking alcohol

In 1981, David Letterman stopped drinking alcohol, after being a "horrible alcoholic" since the age of 11 or 13.

February 1986: Relationship with Regina Lasko begins

In February 1986, David Letterman started dating Regina Lasko.

May 1988: Letterman stalked by Margaret Mary Ray

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.

1988: Relationship with Merrill Markoe ends

In 1988, David Letterman's long-term cohabiting relationship with Merrill Markoe ended.

August 1993: DL Foundation founded

In August 1993, The Letterman Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming (LFCG) was founded as the DL Foundation. Its president and primary contributor was David Letterman, and its treasurer was Fred Nigro.

1995: Letterman's Volvo 960 station wagon built

In 1995, Paul Newman had built for Letterman a Volvo 960 station wagon, which is powered by a 380-horsepower racing engine.

1996: Letterman discusses tinnitus on Late Show

In 1996, David Letterman discussed his experience with tinnitus on the Late Show during an interview with William Shatner.

October 1998: Death of stalker Margaret Mary Ray

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.

1999: Purchase of Montana ranch

In 1999, David Letterman purchased a ranch in Choteau, Montana.

January 14, 2000: Letterman Undergoes Emergency Heart Surgery

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.

February 21, 2000: Letterman Returns to Late Show After Heart Surgery

On February 21, 2000, David Letterman returned to the Late Show after recovering from heart surgery. He brought many of the doctors and nurses who had participated in his surgery and recovery on stage.

2000: Emergency Heart Surgery

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.

2001: LFCG Donates over $9.2 Million

According to LFCG's tax returns, from 2001 through 2011, LFCG donated a total of over $9.2 million to various foundations and other organizations.

2001: Foundation known as American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming

Since at least 2001, the DL Foundation, whose president and primary contributor was David Letterman, was known as the American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming.

February 2003: Letterman Uses Guest Hosts Due to Shingles

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.

November 3, 2003: Birth of son, Harry Joseph Letterman

On November 3, 2003, Regina Lasko gave birth to David Letterman's son, Harry Joseph Letterman.

2005: Kidnapping plot against Letterman's son

In 2005, police discovered a plot to kidnap David Letterman's son and demand a $5 million ransom.

March 2007: Adam Sandler Guest Hosts Due to Letterman's Illness

In March 2007, Adam Sandler, who was scheduled to be a guest, served as a guest host while David Letterman was ill with a stomach virus.

September 7, 2007: Dedication of David Letterman Communication and Media Building at Ball State

On September 7, 2007, David Letterman visited Ball State University for the dedication of the David Letterman Communication and Media Building. The $21 million facility opened for the 2007 fall semester, and Letterman delivered an emotional speech.

2008: Rolling Stone Article About Letterman's Friendship With Medical Staff

In 2008, Rolling Stone wrote about David Letterman's friendship with his doctors and nurses, who had helped perform the emergency quintuple-bypass heart surgery that saved his life in 2000.

March 19, 2009: Marriage to Regina Lasko

On March 19, 2009, David Letterman married Regina Lasko in a quiet courthouse civil ceremony in Choteau, Montana.

2011: LFCG Donates over $9.2 Million

According to LFCG's tax returns, from 2001 through 2011, LFCG donated a total of over $9.2 million to various foundations and other organizations.

2011: Foundation name changed to The Letterman Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming

In 2011, the American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming, whose president and primary contributor was David Letterman, assumed the name The Letterman Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming.

2012: Letterman's car collection reported

In 2012, it was reported that David Letterman's car collection included ten Ferraris, eight Porsches, four Austin-Healeys, two Honda motorcycles, a Chevy pickup, and one car each from Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar, MG, Volvo, Cadillac and Pontiac.

April 3, 2014: Letterman Announces Retirement

During the taping of his show on April 3, 2014, David Letterman announced that he had informed CBS president Leslie Moonves that he would retire from hosting Late Show by May 20, 2015.

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2015: Letterman discusses anxiety

In 2015, David Letterman discussed his anxiety, stating he became calmer through Transcendental Meditation and low doses of medication.

August 2021: Hospitalization in Rhode Island

In August 2021, David Letterman was hospitalized in Providence, Rhode Island, after hitting his head on the sidewalk and falling unconscious.

October 2022: Letterman Interviews Zelenskyy in Ukraine

In October 2022, David Letterman traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine, to film a special standalone episode of My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman, interviewing Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

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