David Letterman Biography
David Michael Letterman is known as an American television host, writer, comedian, and producer. He also hosted late night television talk shows for 33 years, starting with the February 1, 1982, debut of Late Night along with David Letterman on NBC and also ending with the May 20, 2015, broadcast of Late Show with David Letterman on CBS.
How old is David Letterman? – Age
The television host is 76 years old as of 2023. He was born on 12 April 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, where he also grew up.
How tall is David Letterman? – Height
Letterman is 5 feet 11 inches (1.87 m) tall.
David Letterman Mother, Father, Brother – Family
Letterman was born to Harry Joe Letterman and Dorothy Mengering in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. He was raised alongside his two sisters, one older and one younger, known as Gretchen Letterman, Janice Letterman.
David Letterman Education
The television host went to his hometown’s Broad Ripple High School and served as a stock boy at the local Atlas Supermarket. In regards to the Ball State Daily News, he originally needed to attend to Indiana University, but his grades were not good enough, so he instead went to Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana.
Is David Letterman Married? – Wife
Letterman married his college sweetheart, Michelle Cook, in Muncie, Indiana on July 2, 1968; they later divorced by October 1977. In addition, he had a long-term cohabiting relationship along with the former head writer and also producer on Late Night, Merrill Markoe, from 1978 to 1988. Markoe created many Late Night staples, including “Stupid Pet/Human Tricks”
David Letterman Career
Weatherman
Later after graduating from Ball State in 1969, Letterman started his career as a radio talk show host on WNTS (AM) and also on Indianapolis television station WLWI (which changed its call sign to WTHR in 1976) as an anchor and weatherman. Moreover, he earned some attention for his unpredictable on-air behavior, which involved congratulating a tropical storm for being upgraded to a hurricane and also predicting hailstones (the size of canned hams).
Move to Los Angeles
Encouraged by his then-wife Michelle and many of his Sigma Chi fraternity brothers, her moved to Los Angeles, California, along with the hope of becoming a comedy writer. Besides, he and Michelle packed their belongings in his pickup truck and also headed west. he still owned the truck as of 2012. In Los Angeles, he started performing comedy at The Comedy Store.
Likewise, his brand of dry, sarcastic humor caught the attention of scouts for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and he became soon a regular guest on the show. Besides, he was a favorite of Carson and became a regular guest host for the show beginning in 1978. He as well credits Carson as the person who influenced his career the most
NBC
Letterman was given his own morning comedy show on NBC, The David Letterman Show on June 23, 1980. Likewise, it was originally 90 minutes long but became shortened to 60 minutes in August 1980. In addition, the show was a critical success, winning two Emmy Awards, but became a ratings disappointment and was canceled, the last show premiering October 24, 1980.
CBS
Johnny Carson retired, and several fans, and Carson himself, believed that he would become the new host of The Tonight Show in 1992. Moreover, Letterman departed NBC to host his own late-night show on CBS, opposite The Tonight Show at 11:30 p.m., known as the Late Show with David Letterman when NBC instead gave the job to Jay Leno.
Furthermore, the new show debuted on August 30, 1993, and became taped at the historic Ed Sullivan Theater, where Ed Sullivan broadcast his eponymous several series from 1948 to 1971. In addition, for Letterman’s arrival, CBS spent $8 million in renovations. CBS besides signed Letterman to a three-year, $14 million/year contract, doubling his Late Night salary.
Film
- Cabin Boy
- Eddie
- Beavis and Butt-Head Do America
- Private Parts Himself Cameo
- Man on the Moon
- Strangers with Candy
- Sully
- Between Two Ferns: The Movie
- Norm Macdonald: Nothing Special
David Letterman Net Worth
Citing his career, Letterman sits at an estimated net worth of $25 Million.
David Letterman Twitter
You can find and follow David on twitter using the account name: @Letterman