Table of Biography
David Letterman is a well-recognized American host, actor, comedian, writer, and producer. David Letterman is famous for hosting some popular late-night television talk shows for 33 years.
Early Life and Childhood
David Letterman was born on April 12, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. By this, he holds American citizenship and is 76 years old as of 2023.
Likewise, he is a follower of the Christian religion and his birth sign is Aries. Moving on to his family members, he was born to his father Harry Joe Letterman, and his mother Dorothy Mengering.
His father was a florist while his mother was a church secretary. Similarly, he has two sisters named Janice Letterman and Gretchen Letterman.
He was a model car collector who lived near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He loved his father’s ability to amuse people with jokes and make a party exciting for the child.
David’s father died of a heart attack while he was a child. At the age of 57, he succumbed to a second heart attack.
Education
He attended Broad Ripple High School and worked at the nearby Atlas Supermarket, according to his educational background.
Moreover, he earned his bachelor’s degree in radio and television from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, in 1969. He earned a four-year bachelor’s degree in journalism news and telecommunications.
David worked at WBST, the college’s student-run radio station, as an announcer and newscaster. He was sacked, though, because he disrespected classical music. He went on to found WAGO-AM 570, a university radio station.
David Letterman – Net Worth 2024
With his family, David enjoys a good existence. He has acquired fame and money as a result of his works over the years. As of 2021, his entire net worth is around $400 million US dollars.
Relationship Status
David Letterman married Michelle Cook, his college girlfriend, on July 2, 1968. In October 1977, they divorced. He was in a live-in relationship with Merrill Markoe.
She is a former head writer and producer of ‘Late Night,’ from 1978 to 1988. In February 1986, while remaining in a live-in relationship, he began dating Regina Lasko.
With her, he has a son named Harry Joseph Letterman. On November 3, 2003, Harry was born. On March 19, 2009, David married Regina Lasko. In Choteau, Montana, they married in a private courthouse.
Caption: David with his wife Regina Lasko (source: Allvipp)
Professional Life and Career
David started his career as the host of a radio talk show on WNTS (AM). Then, he served as an anchor and weatherman on WLWI (TV) in Indianapolis.
He moved to Los Angeles in 1975 to continue his profession as a comedy writer. He then began performing at The Comedy Store.
To compose jokes for his stand-up routines, he joined American actor and comic Jimmie Walker’s group of comedians. He also contributed to popular series such as ‘Good Times.’
In 1977, he was selected as a regular writer for CBS’s six-week series named ‘The Starland Vocal Band Show.’ He joined the cast of Mary Tyler Moore’s variety show, ‘Mary,’ in 1978.
Finally, he landed on ‘The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson,’ where he quickly established himself as a frequent guest.
In February 1982, he began presenting the NBC show “Late Night with David Letterman.” His sardonic sense of humor and self-mockery was popular among his supporters.
His style later spawned a slew of comic chat shows. When Johnny Carson departed in 1992, he expected to be awarded Carson’s job on “The Tonight Show.” NBC, on the other hand, offered the part to Jay Leno.
As a result, David departed NBC to join CBS to host his late-night show, ‘The Late Show,’ which is a direct sequel to ‘The Tonight Show.’ The ‘Late Show with David Letterman,’ which premiered in August 1993, was his new show.
Caption: David hosting The Late Show (source: The New Yorker)
Brand Endorsements
David has given his support to Google, AT&T, the Super Bowl, and a Red Cross TV ad on CBS.
More Details
Although David’s particular sense of comedy was kept, this show was not a carbon copy of his previous NBC show.
Similarly, he was ranked higher than Jay Leno 12 times in the Harris Poll of America’s Favorite TV Personality.
Letterman’s show was ranked second in 2003 and 2004, slightly behind Oprah Winfrey, and Leno’s show was sixth that year. During 2007 and 2008, however, Leno’s show scored higher than David’s.
As his contract with CBS was about to expire in March 2002, ABC offered him a show, which he eagerly accepted.
However, CBS announced on December 4, 2006, that Letterman had renewed his contract to broadcast the ‘Late Show with David Letterman through 2010.
CBS announced in 2012 that his contracthads been renewed through 2015. The final edition of his show, which aired on May 20, 2015, drew 13.76 million people from the United States.
In 2016, he arrived as a chief guest on the climate change documentary series titled “Years of Living Dangerously.” In 2017, he and Alec Baldwin co-hosted Turner Classic Movies ‘The Essentials.’
On Netflix in 2018, he began hosting a six-episode series called “My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.” Barack Obama was featured in the first episode, which aired on January 12, 2018.
Body Measurements
David has a wonderful personality and a great physical appearance. The legendary host is approximately 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) tall. He also weighs 78 kilograms.
Furthermore, when it comes to general body measurement, he continues to offer data to any internet domain. His hair is grey/blonde in color. In addition, he has blue eyes.
Caption: David posing for a photo (source: Daily Mail)
David Letterman – Social Media
David is active on social media as well. With over 361k followers on Instagram, he goes by the handle @letterman.
His Twitter account, @Letterman, has a following of 362.8k people. In addition, he has a Facebook account in his name. 688.8k people follow the account.