David Letterman

David Letterman is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer best known for hosting major U.S.

David Letterman is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer best known for hosting major U.S. late-night talk shows for 33 years. He became widely identified with *Late Night with David Letterman* on NBC and *Late Show with David Letterman* on CBS, and later returned with a Netflix interview series.

Early life and education

David Letterman was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1947. He graduated from Ball State University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, beginning his entertainment career before becoming a national television host.

Late-night television career

Letterman first hosted *Late Night with David Letterman* on NBC from 1982 to 1993, then moved to CBS for *Late Show with David Letterman* from 1993 to 2015. He hosted a total of 6,080 episodes of the two shows, becoming the longest-serving late-night talk show host in American television history, surpassing Johnny Carson. His approach helped redefine late-night television with a looser, more self-aware style.

Style and influence

Letterman became known for an ironic, sometimes abrasive interview style, along with recurring comedy bits and audience interaction. His work influenced later talk-show hosts and helped reshape the format of American late-night television. His late-night format and interview style also influenced television comedy and talk-show production across North America, including in Canada.

Later work and legacy

After retiring from network late night in 2015, Letterman returned with Netflix’s *My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman* in 2018. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in television comedy and talk shows, having founded Worldwide Pants, a production company associated with his television work.