Conan O'Brien
Born 1963 · Age 62
American television host, comedian, writer, actor and producer; longtime late-night host (Late Night, The Tonight Show, Conan), podcast host, and creator of Team Coco/Conaco.
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Life & Career Timeline
Birth
Born in Brookline, Massachusetts to Ruth (attorney) and Thomas O'Brien (physician/professor).
Graduated Brookline High School — valedictorian
Served as managing editor of the high school newspaper The Sagamore; congressional internships; won NCTE writing contest with short story 'To Bury the Living'.
Entered Harvard University
Began studies in history and literature; later lived in Holworthy and Mather House.
Elected President of The Harvard Lampoon (1st term)
Served as president of Harvard's famed humor magazine (one of very few to hold the post twice).
Elected President of The Harvard Lampoon (2nd term)
Re-elected, serving two consecutive terms as Lampoon president (noted distinction).
Graduated Harvard University, magna cum laude (AB)
Received AB degree in history and literature; senior thesis 'Literary Progeria in the Works of William Faulkner and Flannery O'Connor'.
Moved to Los Angeles — joined Not Necessarily the News
Began television writing career on HBO sketch series Not Necessarily the News (worked two seasons).
Performed 'Happy Happy Good Show' in Chicago
During an SNL writers' strike period, O'Brien and colleagues (Bob Odenkirk, Robert Smigel) staged an improv revue in Chicago.
Hired as writer at Saturday Night Live (SNL)
Lorne Michaels brought O'Brien onto the SNL writing staff where he wrote recurring sketches and worked three years.
Emmy Award — Outstanding Writing (Saturday Night Live)
Part of SNL writing staff that won the Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series.
Appeared in SNL sketch as extra (notable cameo)
Notable extra appearance as a doorman in Tom Hanks 'Five-Timers Club' sketch (example of occasional on-camera work).
Co-wrote Lookwell pilot with Robert Smigel
Pilot starring Adam West aired on NBC in 1991 — did not go to series but became a cult favorite.
Left SNL (cited burnout)
After an engagement broke off and career frustration, O'Brien quit Saturday Night Live in 1991.
Joined The Simpsons writing staff (writer/producer)
Hired by showrunners Mike Reiss and Al Jean; credited on acclaimed episodes including 'Marge vs. the Monorail' and 'Homer Goes to College'.
Selected to succeed David Letterman as Late Night host
Picked by Lorne Michaels and NBC to take over the Late Night franchise (decision communicated while he was working on Simpsons).
Late Night with Conan O'Brien premiered
Late Night debuted from Studio 6A at 30 Rockefeller Plaza on September 13, 1993 to mixed/negative reviews but later developed a strong following.
David Letterman's morale-boosting Late Night appearance
Letterman's appearance on Conan's show (Feb 1994) helped confidence and momentum for the program.
Hosted White House Correspondents' Dinner (first time)
O'Brien hosted the prestigious White House Correspondents' dinner in 1995.
Writers Guild Award — Late Night writing (win)
Part of Late Night writing staff that won the WGA award (one of several wins in this era).
Formed Conaco production company
Created his own TV production company, Conaco, which shared in Late Night production credits.
Hosted Saturday Night Live (as host)
Returned to SNL as an on-air host during its 26th season.
Hosted the Emmy Awards
Hosted the Primetime Emmy Awards in 2002 (one of multiple awards-show hosting gigs).
Married Liza Powel
Married advertising executive Liza Powel on January 12, 2002.
Daughter Neve born
Welcomed first child, daughter Neve O'Brien (year reported 2003).
Signed contract naming him successor to Jay Leno (for 2009)
As part of a 2004 deal, NBC designated O'Brien to take over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno in 2009.
Late Night averaged ~2.5 million viewers
By October 2005 the show consistently attracted about 2.5 million viewers on average.
Hosted the Emmy Awards again
Hosted the Emmys in 2006; also staged Finland trip special after joking resemblance to president Tarja Halonen.
Late Night 'Finland' special and meeting with President Halonen
Took the show to Helsinki for five days; met Finnish president Tarja Halonen; aired as one-hour special.
Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Writing (Late Night)
Late Night writing staff won the Emmy (O'Brien credited).
Ratings decline reported for The Tonight Show
By November 2009 ratings for O'Brien's Tonight Show had declined by roughly 2 million viewers compared to prior year.
Final episode of Late Night aired
Last Late Night episode (compilation special) aired February 20, 2009 prior to transition to The Tonight Show.
Took over The Tonight Show (premiere)
Became host of The Tonight Show on June 1, 2009; first guests included Will Ferrell and Pearl Jam.
Sustained mild concussion during Tonight Show sketch
Slipped and hit head during sketch with guest Teri Hatcher (treated and released same day).
The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour (32-city tour)
Embarked on a large live tour during television hiatus due to NBC contract restrictions; tour was later the subject of a documentary.
NBC executives meet to discuss moving Jay Leno back to late night
Jeff Zucker met with Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien to discuss scheduling moves that would affect The Tonight Show.
O'Brien publicly objects to moving The Tonight Show to 12:05 am
Released statement that delaying The Tonight Show would damage the franchise; publicly opposed NBC's plan.
Reached exit deal with NBC (announced)
Deal announced for O'Brien to leave The Tonight Show the next day; total deal value reported at $45 million with $12M earmarked for staff payouts.
Final The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien aired
Final episode featured Tom Hanks, Steve Carell, Neil Young and Will Ferrell; O'Brien ended his NBC contract that day.
Conan premiered on TBS
Debuted new late-night show 'Conan' on TBS on November 8, 2010, marking his return to television.
Documentary 'Conan O'Brien Can't Stop' released
Documentary chronicling the 2010 live tour and Conan's life on the road premiered in 2011.
Hosted White House Correspondents' Dinner (second time)
Hosted the White House Correspondents' Association dinner again in 2013.
Conan renewed on TBS (renewals during run)
Conan's TBS run received renewals during the 2010s as the show continued for multiple seasons.
Conan Without Borders — Cuba special (international remotes)
Conan's international travel/remote specials (Conan Without Borders) included a notable broadcast from Cuba in 2015.
Became longest-working active late-night host (after Letterman's retirement)
With David Letterman's retirement on May 20, 2015, O'Brien became the longest-working late-night talk show host active in the U.S.
Voice role — The Lego Batman Movie (and other voice work)
Expanded into voice acting, including role in The Lego Batman Movie (2017) and animated series Final Space.
Launched podcast 'Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend'
Started the popular interview podcast which grew into Team Coco's podcast network; later reported to have hundreds of millions of downloads.
Won Emmy — Outstanding Creative Achievement In Interactive Media (CONAN Without Borders)
Television Academy recognized Conan/Team Coco digital efforts; wins in interactive categories around this time.
Podcast downloads milestone cited
Team Coco reported sustained podcast success; Television Academy later cited Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend with over 660 million downloads (as of 2024/2025 reporting).
Conan's format shortened (2019) amid declining linear ratings
TBS shortened Conan from an hour to 30 minutes in 2019 as viewing patterns changed.
Conan ended on TBS — retirement from late-night
Conan aired its final show June 24, 2021; O'Brien concluded an almost 30-year run as a late-night host.
Team Coco acquisition (majority stake) by SiriusXM reported
Television Academy and press reported Team Coco digital brand was acquired by SiriusXM in 2022; press reports cited ~USD 150 million transaction value.
Launched 'Conan O'Brien Radio' on SiriusXM
Team Coco launched a SiriusXM channel featuring Conan's shows, interviews and podcasts.
Conan O'Brien Must Go premiered on Max
Starred in/hosted travel series on Max (first season in 2024); series earned Emmy recognition (Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program winner in 2024 for Ireland episode).
Emmy Award — Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program (winner)
Won a Creative Arts Emmy in 2024 for writing on Conan O'Brien Must Go (Ireland episode).
Recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Named the 2025 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize, one of the highest honors in American comedy.
Inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame
Television Academy Hall of Fame induction reported in 2025.
Hosted the 97th Academy Awards
Announced and served as host of the Oscars ceremony on March 2, 2025.
Key Achievement Ages
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