David Letterman is an iconic American television host, comedian, writer, and producer with a 33-year career in late-night television. His shows, "Late Night with David Letterman" on NBC and "Late Show with David Letterman" on CBS, spanned from 1982 to 2015, totaling an impressive 6,080 episodes. This remarkable run made him the longest-serving late-night talk show host in American television history, surpassing even his mentor, Johnny Carson. Letterman's shows are known for their comedic and unconventional style breaking away from other talk show formats of the time.
April 15, 1915: Birth of Harry Joseph Letterman
David Letterman's father, Harry Joseph Letterman, was born on April 15, 1915.
July 18, 1921: Birth of Dorothy Marie Letterman Mengering
David Letterman's mother, Dorothy Marie Letterman Mengering, was born on July 18, 1921.
April 12, 1947: David Letterman's Birth
David Michael Letterman was born on April 12, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana.
1954: Release of Godzilla
The original Godzilla film was released in 1954, and David Letterman once acted out a scene from it on his show "Freeze-Dried Movies".
July 2, 1968: Marriage to Michelle Cook
David Letterman married his college sweetheart, Michelle Cook, on July 2, 1968, in Muncie, Indiana.
1969: Career Inspiration
After graduating from college in 1969, David Letterman was inspired to pursue a career in television after watching someone on TV doing what he wanted to do.
1969: Radio and Television Career Beginnings
David Letterman began his career in radio and television in 1969, working as a talk show host and weatherman.
1969: Graduation from Ball State University
David Letterman graduated from Ball State University in 1969 with a degree from the Department of Radio and Television.
1971: First National Telecast Appearance
In 1971, David Letterman made his first national television appearance as a pit road reporter for ABC Sports' coverage of the Indianapolis 500.
February 13, 1973: Death of Harry Joseph Letterman
David Letterman's father, Harry Joseph Letterman, passed away from a second heart attack on February 13, 1973.
1973: Harry Joseph Letterman's Second Heart Attack
David Letterman's father, Harry Joseph Letterman, suffered a fatal second heart attack in 1973.
1975: Move to Los Angeles
In 1975, David Letterman moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a comedy writer.
1976: WLWI Changes Call Sign
In 1976, Indianapolis television station WLWI, where David Letterman had worked, changed its call sign to WTHR.
November 1977: Appearance on Celebrity Cooks
David Letterman appeared on the Canadian cooking show "Celebrity Cooks" in November 1977.
1977: Divorce from Michelle Cook
David Letterman and Michelle Cook divorced in 1977.
January 1978: Peeping Times Airs
The comedy special "Peeping Times", featuring David Letterman, aired in January 1978.
April 14, 1978: Appearance on 90 Minutes Live
David Letterman appeared on the talk show "90 Minutes Live" on April 14, 1978.
1978: Relationship with Merrill Markoe
David Letterman began a long-term relationship with Merrill Markoe, head writer and producer on Late Night, in 1978.
1978: Regular Guest Host on The Tonight Show
David Letterman became a regular guest host for "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" beginning in 1978.
April 3, 1979: Appearance on The Mike Douglas Show
David Letterman appeared on "The Mike Douglas Show" on April 3, 1979.
February 7, 1980: Second Appearance on The Mike Douglas Show
David Letterman made another appearance on "The Mike Douglas Show" on February 7, 1980.
June 23, 1980: The David Letterman Show Premiere
David Letterman's own morning comedy show, "The David Letterman Show", premiered on NBC on June 23, 1980.
August 1980: The David Letterman Show Shortened
In August 1980, "The David Letterman Show" was shortened from 90 minutes to 60 minutes.
October 24, 1980: The David Letterman Show Cancellation
"The David Letterman Show" was canceled and aired its last episode on October 24, 1980.
1981: Stopped Drinking Alcohol
David Letterman stopped drinking alcohol in 1981 after acknowledging he was a "horrible alcoholic".
1981: Start of Emmy Nominations
David Letterman's numerous Emmy Award nominations began in 1981.
February 1, 1982: Late Night with David Letterman Debut
On February 1, 1982, David Letterman's "Late Night with David Letterman" premiered on NBC, marking the start of his 33-year run in late-night television.
1982: Andy Kaufman and Jerry Lawler Incident
In 1982, Andy Kaufman, wearing a neck brace, appeared on "Late Night with David Letterman" with wrestler Jerry Lawler, who proceeded to slap and knock Kaufman down in a staged altercation.
January 1984: Featured in The Avengers Comic
In January 1984, David Letterman and Late Night were the focus of issue 239 of the Marvel comic book series The Avengers, featuring the Avengers as guests on his show.
August 19, 1985: Letterman's Today Show Prank
On August 19, 1985, David Letterman disrupted a live interview on "The Today Show," claiming to be NBC News president Lawrence K. Grossman and jokingly stating he wasn't wearing pants.
February 1986: Relationship with Regina Lasko Begins
David Letterman began dating Regina Lasko in February 1986.
1986: Appearance in Coach Toast Pilot
In 1986, David Letterman appeared in the pilot episode of the short-lived television series "Coach Toast".
June 1987: "Late Night" Adds Friday Broadcast
In June 1987, "Late Night with David Letterman" added a Friday night broadcast to its existing Monday-Thursday schedule.
May 1988: Stalking by Margaret Mary Ray Begins
David Letterman's stalking by Margaret Mary Ray began in May 1988.
1988: End of Relationship with Merrill Markoe
David Letterman's relationship with Merrill Markoe ended in 1988.
May 2, 1989: Oprah Winfrey's Appearance and Start of Feud
On May 2, 1989, Oprah Winfrey appeared on "Late Night with David Letterman", marking the beginning of a 16-year feud between the two.
1991: Founded Worldwide Pants Incorporated
David Letterman started his production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated, in 1991.
August 1993: Founding of the Letterman Foundation
The Letterman Foundation (originally the DL Foundation) was established in August 1993.
1993: Letterman's Early Success and Awards
From 1993 to 2009, David Letterman frequently ranked higher than Jay Leno in the Harris Poll of Nation's Favorite TV Personality, demonstrating his widespread popularity. His shows also earned many Emmy nominations.
1993: "Late Show" Early Ratings Success
In 1993, "Late Show with David Letterman" consistently achieved higher ratings than "The Tonight Show".
February 25, 1994: High Ratings Following the Olympics
On February 25, 1994, "The Late Show" achieved its highest ratings since the 1994 Winter Olympics.
May 13, 1994: Johnny Carson's Cameo
Johnny Carson made a surprise cameo appearance on "The Late Show" on May 13, 1994, during a Top 10 list segment.
1994: "Late Show" Continued Ratings Success
"Late Show with David Letterman" continued to outperform "The Tonight Show" in ratings in 1994.
March 27, 1995: Letterman Hosts the Oscars
On March 27, 1995, David Letterman hosted the 67th Academy Awards, a performance that was met with criticism for his unconventional style, which some felt clashed with the event's traditional atmosphere.
1995: Paul Newman Gifts Volvo to Letterman
David Letterman received a custom Volvo 960 station wagon from Paul Newman in 1995.
1995: "Late Show" Ratings Decline
The ratings for "Late Show with David Letterman" declined in 1995, with Leno's show consistently beating Letterman's following Hugh Grant's appearance on "The Tonight Show".
1996: Voice Acting in Beavis and Butt-Head Do America
In 1996, David Letterman provided the voice for Butt-head's father in the animated film "Beavis and Butt-Head Do America", credited as Earl Hofert.
1996: Ranked on TV Guide's Greatest TV Stars
In 1996, David Letterman was ranked 45th on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Stars of All Time.
1996: Discussed Tinnitus on Late Show
In 1996, David Letterman openly discussed his experience with tinnitus during an interview with William Shatner on the Late Show.
1996: Appearance in Seinfeld Episode "The Abstinence"
In 1996, David Letterman appeared as himself in "The Abstinence," an episode of the sitcom Seinfeld.
October 1998: Death of Margaret Mary Ray
Margaret Mary Ray died by suicide in October 1998.
1999: Leno's Viewership
Between 1999 and 2009, Jay Leno's "Tonight Show" typically drew around five million viewers per night.
1999: Purchased Ranch in Montana
David Letterman purchased a ranch in Choteau, Montana, in 1999.
1999: Appearance in Man on the Moon
In 1999, David Letterman appeared as himself in the Andy Kaufman biopic "Man on the Moon".
January 14, 2000: Letterman's Heart Surgery
On January 14, 2000, David Letterman underwent emergency quintuple bypass surgery after a routine checkup revealed a severely obstructed artery.
February 21, 2000: Letterman's Return to "Late Show"
David Letterman returned to the "Late Show" on February 21, 2000, after recovering from heart surgery, bringing his medical team on stage.
2000: Letterman's Interview with Esquire
In 2000, David Letterman gave an interview to Esquire magazine where he discussed his childhood admiration for his father's humor.
2001: Name Change to American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming
Around 2001, the Letterman Foundation became known as the American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming.
2001: LFCG begins period of charitable donations
In 2001, the Letterman Foundation for Courtesy and Goodness (LFCG) began a period of significant charitable giving, which would continue for the next decade.
March 2002: Contract Negotiations and ABC Offer
In March 2002, as his CBS contract neared its end, David Letterman received an offer from ABC for the "Nightline" time slot. He ultimately decided to stay with CBS.
2002: Late Show Ranked on TV Guide's Greatest TV Shows
In 2002, "The Late Show with David Letterman" was ranked seventh on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.
February 2003: Shingles and Guest Hosts
In February 2003, David Letterman was diagnosed with a severe case of shingles, leading to several guest hosts filling in for him on "The Late Show."
November 3, 2003: Birth of Son, Harry Joseph Letterman
Regina Lasko, David Letterman's partner, gave birth to their son, Harry Joseph Letterman, on November 3, 2003.
2003: Letterman Ranks Second in Harris Poll
David Letterman ranked second only to Oprah Winfrey in the 2003 Harris Poll of Nation's Favorite TV Personality.
2004: Letterman Again Ranks Second in Harris Poll
As in 2003, David Letterman ranked second in the 2004 Harris Poll, behind Oprah Winfrey.
2004: Indianapolis 500 Win
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, co-owned by David Letterman, won the Indianapolis 500 in 2004 with driver Buddy Rice.
December 1, 2005: High Ratings with Oprah Winfrey
On December 1, 2005, Oprah Winfrey's appearance on "The Late Show" resulted in high ratings for the program, marking the end of their feud.
December 2, 2005: End of the Feud with Oprah
On December 2, 2005, Oprah Winfrey appeared on "Late Show with David Letterman", signifying the end of their 16-year feud.
2005: Restraining Order Incident
In 2005, a woman obtained a restraining order against David Letterman, claiming he sent coded messages through his show.
2005: Carson's Jokes and Letterman's Tribute
In 2005, it was revealed that Johnny Carson would send jokes to Letterman, who used them in his monologues. Letterman paid tribute to Carson after his death by using only Carson's jokes in his opening monologue.
2005: Kidnapping Plot Discovered
A plot to kidnap David Letterman's son and demand a ransom was discovered in 2005.
December 4, 2006: Contract Renewal with CBS
On December 4, 2006, David Letterman renewed his contract with CBS to host "The Late Show" until 2010.
February 2007: Super Bowl XLI Promo
In February 2007, during Super Bowl XLI, David Letterman and Oprah Winfrey appeared together in a promo for the Late Show, sporting jerseys of the competing teams.
March 2007: Illness and Guest Host
In March 2007, David Letterman experienced a stomach virus, causing Adam Sandler to step in as guest host.
September 7, 2007: David Letterman Communication and Media Building Dedication
On September 7, 2007, David Letterman attended the dedication of the David Letterman Communication and Media Building at his alma mater, Ball State University.
September 10, 2007: Appearance on Oprah
On September 10, 2007, David Letterman made his first appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
December 2007: Worldwide Pants Negotiates with Writers Guild
In December 2007, Worldwide Pants gained attention for independently negotiating a contract with the Writers Guild of America, East, allowing its shows to continue during the writers' strike.
2007: Reported Earnings
In 2007, Forbes magazine reported Letterman's annual earnings as $40 million.
2007: Late Show Hiatus Due to Writer's Strike
In 2007, the Late Show went off the air for eight weeks in November and December due to the Writer's Guild of America strike. Letterman's production company was the first to reach an agreement with the WGA.
January 2, 2008: Return to Late Show After Writer's Strike
On January 2, 2008, David Letterman returned to the Late Show after an eight-week hiatus due to the Writer's Guild of America strike, sporting a beard in solidarity with the writers.
January 7, 2008: Shaves Beard on Late Show
On January 7, 2008, David Letterman shaved off the beard he had grown during the Writer's Guild of America strike on his show.
2008: Response to Sarah Palin Controversy
In 2008, following controversy surrounding his jokes about Sarah Palin's daughter, David Letterman clarified his intent on his show, stating that the jokes were aimed at Palin's older daughter and apologizing for any misunderstanding.
2008: CBS Business Conduct Statement
In 2008, the CBS Business Conduct Statement outlined company policy regarding relationships between supervisors and subordinates, requiring disclosure to Human Resources.
2008: Letterman's Reflection on Bypass
In 2008, Rolling Stone highlighted David Letterman's close relationship with the medical professionals who performed his life-saving heart surgery.
March 19, 2009: Marriage to Regina Lasko
David Letterman and Regina Lasko married in a courthouse ceremony in Choteau, Montana on March 19, 2009.
June 1, 2009: Conan Takes Over "Tonight Show"
Conan O'Brien began his stint as host of "The Tonight Show" on June 1, 2009.
June 2009: Contract Extension and Negotiations
In June 2009, Letterman's Worldwide Pants and CBS agreed to extend "The Late Show" until August 2012, a shorter extension than usual. Worldwide Pants also agreed to a lower fee for the show.
October 1, 2009: Blackmail Attempt and Extortion
On October 1, 2009, David Letterman publicly revealed a blackmail attempt concerning his affairs with female employees. He reported the extortion attempt to authorities and cooperated in a sting operation.
October 2, 2009: Arrest and Indictment of Joe Halderman
On October 2, 2009, Joe Halderman was arrested and indicted for attempting to extort David Letterman.
October 5, 2009: Letterman's Public Apology
On October 5, 2009, David Letterman issued a public apology to his wife and staff regarding his affairs.
2009: End of Consistent Harris Poll Dominance
By 2009, the period during which Letterman consistently ranked higher than Leno in the Harris Poll, came to an end.
2009: "Late Show" Viewership Decline and Ratings Competition
By 2009, "Late Show with David Letterman" had lost a significant portion of its audience during its competition with Leno's "Tonight Show." When O'Brien took over, Letterman began to close the ratings gap, but Leno regained the lead upon his return.
2009: Controversial Jokes about Sarah Palin's Daughter
In 2009, David Letterman made controversial jokes on his show about Sarah Palin's daughter, which sparked public criticism and a response from Palin.
January 22, 2010: Conan's "Tonight Show" Ends
Conan O'Brien's time as host of "The Tonight Show" concluded on January 22, 2010.
March 2010: Halderman's Guilty Plea and Sentencing
In March 2010, Joe Halderman pleaded guilty to attempted grand larceny and received a sentence of six months in prison, probation, and community service.
September 7, 2010: Letterman on "The View"
On September 7, 2010, David Letterman appeared on the premiere of the 14th season of "The View," confirming he had been considered to host the Oscars again.
2010: Contract Expiration
David Letterman's contract with CBS was set to expire in 2010.
2010: Documentary Release: Dying to do Letterman
In 2010, the documentary "Dying to do Letterman," featuring a comedian's quest to appear on Letterman's show, was released and won awards at the Cinequest Film Festival.
2010: Previous Contract Expiration
The previous contract for "The Late Show" was set to expire in 2010.
February 3, 2011: Retirement Speculation
On February 3, 2011, during an interview with Howard Stern, Letterman hinted at retiring in about two years.
June 2011: Joke about Ilyas Kashmiri
In June 2011, David Letterman made a joke about the death of Ilyas Kashmiri, an Al-Qaeda leader, which later led to a death threat against him.
August 17, 2011: Death Threat from Islamist Militant
On August 17, 2011, reports emerged of an Islamist militant posting a death threat against David Letterman online in response to a joke he made about the death of an Al-Qaeda leader.
2011: Name Change Back to Letterman Foundation
In 2011, the foundation reverted to the Letterman Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming.
2011: LFCG concludes period of charitable donations
By 2011, the Letterman Foundation for Courtesy and Goodness (LFCG) had donated over $9.2 million to various organizations during the preceding decade, marking the end of this substantial philanthropic period.
2011: Johnny Carson Award
In 2011, David Letterman became the first recipient of the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence.
January 31, 2012: 30th Anniversary Celebration
On January 31, 2012, David Letterman celebrated his 30th anniversary in late-night television, with Bill Murray, a frequent guest, making an appearance.
April 2012: Contract Extension
In April 2012, CBS extended Letterman's contract through 2014.
May 29, 2012: Appearance on Piers Morgan Tonight
On May 29, 2012, David Letterman appeared as a guest on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight and was interviewed by his longtime friend, Regis Philbin.
August 2012: Contract Expiration
"The Late Show" contract was extended until at least August 2012.
2012: Letterman's Car Collection
In 2012, reports detailed David Letterman's extensive car collection, including various luxury and classic cars.
2012: Kennedy Center Honors
In 2012, David Letterman received the Kennedy Center Honors.
2012: Still Owns the Truck
As of 2012, David Letterman still owned the truck he used to move to Los Angeles.
January 2013: Interview on Oprah's Next Chapter
In January 2013, Letterman was interviewed by Oprah Winfrey on her show "Oprah's Next Chapter," where they discussed their past feud and a previous uncomfortable experience Winfrey had on Letterman's show.
June 2013: Appearance on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
In June 2013, David Letterman appeared in the second episode of season two of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.
November 5, 2013: Publication of "This Land Was Made for You and Me"
David Letterman and Bruce McCall published their fiction satire book, "This Land Was Made for You and Me (But Mostly Me)", on November 5, 2013.
2013: Appearance on Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
In 2013, David Letterman appeared on Jerry Seinfeld's show "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee," driving a Volvo 960 station wagon gifted by Paul Newman.
April 3, 2014: Retirement Announcement
On April 3, 2014, David Letterman announced his retirement from "The Late Show," effective May 20, 2015. Stephen Colbert was announced as his successor.
October 2014: Foo Fighters Week-Long Stint
In October 2014, the Foo Fighters had a week-long stint on the Late Show, further showcasing their strong connection with David Letterman and his show.
October 17, 2014: Foo Fighters Performance and Personal Story
On October 17, 2014, David Letterman shared a personal story about the Foo Fighters' song "Miracle" being used in a home video of him and his son skiing. This marked the first time the band heard this story, highlighting Letterman's close relationship with them.
2014: Contract Extension
Letterman's contract was extended through 2014.
January 27, 2015: Interviewed on The Late Late Show
On January 27, 2015, David Letterman and Paul Shaffer were interviewed by Regis Philbin, who was guest-hosting CBS's The Late Late Show.
May 20, 2015: Final Late Show Broadcast
David Letterman's final broadcast of "Late Show with David Letterman" on CBS aired on May 20, 2015, concluding his late-night career.
2015: Discussed Anxiety and Meditation
In 2015, David Letterman discussed his struggles with anxiety and how he found calmness through Transcendental Meditation and medication.
2015: Contract Extension
Letterman's contract was further extended to 2015.
2016: Years of Living Dangerously
In 2016, David Letterman joined the climate change documentary show "Years of Living Dangerously" as a correspondent. He traveled to India to investigate the country's energy grid and interviewed Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
April 7, 2017: Pearl Jam Induction and The Essentials
On April 7, 2017, Letterman inducted Pearl Jam into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. He also co-hosted "The Essentials" on Turner Classic Movies with Alec Baldwin.
April 11, 2017: Death of Dorothy Marie Letterman Mengering
David Letterman's mother, Dorothy Marie Letterman Mengering, passed away on April 11, 2017.
May 16, 2017: Mark Twain Prize Announcement
On May 16, 2017, David Letterman was announced as the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
October 22, 2017: Mark Twain Prize Ceremony
David Letterman received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in a ceremony on October 22, 2017.
January 12, 2018: My Next Guest Needs No Introduction Premiere
David Letterman's Netflix series "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" premiered on January 12, 2018, with Barack Obama as the first guest.
2018: My Next Guest Needs No Introduction Premiere
In 2018, David Letterman began hosting the Netflix series "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman".
May 31, 2019: My Next Guest Season 2 Premiere
The second season of "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" premiered on May 31, 2019.
October 21, 2020: My Next Guest Season 3 Premiere
Season 3 of "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" premiered on October 21, 2020.
2020: Second Indianapolis 500 Win
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing achieved their second Indianapolis 500 victory in 2020 with driver Takuma Sato.
August 2021: Hospitalized after a Fall
In August 2021, David Letterman was hospitalized in Providence, Rhode Island after hitting his head and falling unconscious from a sidewalk fall.
2021: Appearance on Manningcast
During Week 13 of the 2021 NFL season, David Letterman joined Peyton and Eli Manning on their Manningcast feed of the Monday Night Football game between the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills.
February 1, 2022: Guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers
On February 1, 2022, David Letterman appeared as a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers to mark the 40th anniversary of the franchise's debut.
May 20, 2022: My Next Guest Season 4 Premiere
Season 4 of "My Next Guest Needs No Introduction" premiered on May 20, 2022.
October 2022: Special Episode in Kyiv
In October 2022, Letterman filmed a special episode of "My Next Guest" in Kyiv, Ukraine, interviewing President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
November 20, 2023: Return to the Ed Sullivan Theater
David Letterman returned to the Ed Sullivan Theater for an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on November 20, 2023.