David Letterman is an iconic American television personality, comedian, and talk show host who has left an indelible mark on late-night entertainment. He is best known for hosting the late-night talk shows “Late Night with David Letterman” on NBC from 1982 to 1993 and “The Late Show with David Letterman” on CBS from 1993 to 2015. His comedy and entertainment industry contributions have earned him numerous accolades and a devoted fan base.
Content of this Article
- Facts About David Letterman
- David Letterman’s Appearance
- David Letterman’s Net Worth
- David Letterman’s Personal Life
- David Letterman’s Career
- David Letterman’s Controversy
- David Letterman’s Real Estate
Facts About David Letterman
| Nationality | American |
| Estimated Net Worth | $400 million |
| Religion | Christian |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
| Birthplace | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Birthday | April 12, 1947 |
David Letterman’s Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 187 cm |
| Weight | 183 lbs |
| Hair Color | Dark brown/Grey |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Body Type | Slim |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
David Letterman’s Net Worth
As of 2023, David Letterman’s net worth is estimated at around $400 million. In the past, he used to earn approximately $50 million annually through licensing and syndication fees. However, this income has slightly decreased in recent years.
David Letterman’s Personal Life
On July 2, 1968, David Letterman married Michelle Cook, whom he had dated since college, in Muncie, Indiana. However, their marriage ended in divorce in October 1977. From 1978 to 1988, Letterman also had a long-term live-in relationship with Merrill Markoe, the former head writer and producer on “Late Night.”
In February 1986, while Letterman was still living with Markoe, he began dating Regina Lasko. On November 3, 2003, Lasko gave birth to their son, Harry Joseph Letterman, named after David’s father. On March 19, 2009, Letterman and Lasko got married in a simple civil ceremony at a courthouse in Choteau, Montana. He revealed their marriage on his show, which aired on March 23, just after congratulating Bruce Willis on his recent wedding the previous week.
David Letterman’s Early Life
David Letterman was born in 1947 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He has two sisters, one older and one younger. His father, Harry Joseph Letterman, worked as a florist, while his mother, Dorothy Marie Letterman Mengering (formerly Hofert), served as a church secretary at the Second Presbyterian Church of Indianapolis.
Letterman’s childhood home was on the north side of Indianapolis, specifically in the Broad Ripple area, which was roughly 12 miles away from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He had a passion for collecting model cars, especially racing ones. When Letterman was a young boy, his father experienced a heart attack at 36. The constant fear of losing his father stayed with him growing up. His father passed away from a second heart attack in 1973 at 57.
Letterman went to Broad Ripple High School in his hometown and worked as a stock boy at the nearby Atlas Supermarket. He initially aimed to attend Indiana University, but his grades didn’t quite make the cut. He ended up going to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. While there, he joined the Sigma Chi fraternity and completed his studies in the Department of Radio and Television, graduating in 1969.
David Letterman’s Career
David Letterman started broadcasting as an announcer and newscaster at his college’s student-run radio station, WBST, a small 10-watt campus station. Today, it’s part of Indiana Public Radio. He got fired from this gig for not taking classical music seriously enough. After that setback, he set up another campus station, WAGO-AM 570 (now known as WCRD, 91.3).
Late Night with David Letterman
“Late Night with David Letterman” first aired on February 1, 1982, with Bill Murray as the inaugural guest. Murray would become one of Letterman’s most frequent and cherished guests.
The show aired Monday to Thursday nights at 12:30 a.m. Eastern Time, right after “The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.” It was known for its eccentric and genre-mocking segments like “Stupid Pet Tricks” and “Stupid Human Tricks.”
Late Show with David Letterman
In 1992, Johnny Carson retired, and many fans thought that Letterman would take over as the new host of “The Tonight Show.” However, NBC chose Jay Leno for the job. In response, Letterman left NBC and started his late-night show on CBS. His “Late Show with David Letterman” show aired at 11:30 p.m., competing directly with “The Tonight Show.”
Netflix
In 2018, David Letterman started hosting a monthly series on Netflix. Each episode was an hour long and featured in-depth interviews and on-location segments. The show, “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman,” debuted on January 12, 2018, with Barack Obama as the first guest.
The second season of the show launched on May 31, 2019. Season 3 debuted on October 21, 2020, with guests including Kim Kardashian West, Robert Downey Jr., Dave Chappelle, and Lizzo. Season 4 began on May 20, 2022, featuring Billie Eilish as the first guest. In October 2022, Letterman went to Kyiv, Ukraine, to film a special episode of “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.” In this unique episode, he interviewed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
David Letterman’s Controversy
News about David Letterman’s romantic involvements became public knowledge. It was revealed that he had a relationship with Stephanie Birkitt, who had started as an intern on the “Late Show” and later became Letterman’s personal assistant. Another woman named Holly Hester came forward and told TMZ that she had dated Letterman when she was also an intern on the “Late Show” and a student at NYU.
Letterman was married to Lasko at the time when he admitted to having sexual relationships with women who worked for him. Letterman and Lasko initially met when she worked as a production staffer on “Late Night with David Letterman.” When they began dating, Letterman was already in a relationship with Markoe, who had previously served as his head writer.
The reaction to Letterman’s confession was quite mild. On “The View,” Barbara Walters praised him for his honesty and for proactively addressing the situation. She even described him as “a very attractive man” and pointed out that he had not been accused of sexual harassment. In her New York Times article, Maureen Dowd downplayed the idea that Letterman’s actions were particularly problematic, stating that the women who got involved with him did so voluntarily and without any undue pressure.
David Letterman’s Real Estate
David Letterman is known for his substantial real estate holdings. The late-night show host possesses nearly 3,000 acres of property. Among his notable properties, he owns a 108-acre estate in Westchester County, New York. This estate was purchased in two parts: 88 acres in 1994 for $5 million and the remaining acres in 2007, also for $5 million. Additionally, Letterman has acquired a 2,700-acre ranch near Chateau, Montana, a property on Martha’s Vineyard, and a house in St. Barth’s.F
Net Worth of Other Notable TV Hosts
Conan O’Brien’s Net Worth
Conan O’Brien is a renowned American comedian, television host, and writer, recognized for his distinctive humor and iconic red hair. He began his rise to fame with “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and later hosted “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien.” The article provides an extensive overview of Conan’s life, delving into his early life in Brookline, Massachusetts, and charting his illustrious career journey—from his writing contributions to “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons” to hosting late-night television shows and creating his own podcast. The piece also touches upon his personal life, including his marriage to Liza and their two children, his Irish Catholic heritage, and philanthropic efforts. Additionally, it highlights some controversies, notably the 2010 “Tonight Show” dispute with NBC. On the financial front, by the end of this comprehensive review, readers have a clear picture of Conan O’Brien’s net worth, which stands at an impressive $200 million.
Ed Sullivan’s Net Worth
Ed Sullivan, born in Harlem, New York City on September 28, 1901, rose to become one of the most influential figures in mid-20th-century American entertainment. His career spanned from journalism to Broadway and culminated in the iconic “The Ed Sullivan Show,” which showcased a diverse array of talents, from The Beatles to comedians and actors. Sullivan’s life, marked by professional triumphs and personal challenges, was intertwined with notable moments in the entertainment industry. In addition to his vast contributions to the world of television, Ed Sullivan’s net worth reached an impressive $10 million by the time of his passing.