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David Letterman on "Late Show with David Letterman"
David Letterman on "Late Show with David Letterman" - © CBS
This year, David Letterman marked his 26th year in late-night comedy and 15th year as the host of the "Late Show with David Letterman" on CBS. After nearly 5,000 late-night broadcasts, David Letterman remains one of the most influential personalities in the history of television. Other than the late Johnny Carson, who hosted "The Tonight Show" for 30 years, no late-night host comes near Letterman in longevity, critical praise and award recognition. Often imitated but never matched, David Letterman presents, night after night, an unpredict­able hour of innovative comedy.

On August 30, 1993, the "Late Show with David Letterman" made its debut, and it quickly went on to become one of the most talked-about and critically acclaimed programs of the year. Now, fifteen years later, the "Late Show with David Letterman" continues to deliver inventive and imaginative comedy every night. For its efforts, it has earned six Emmy Awards as Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Program.

David Letterman's first network break came in 1978 on the CBS variety series "Mary," starring Mary Tyler Moore. In November of that year, he made the first of his 22 appearances on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson." David Letterman also guest-hosted "Tonight" numerous times.

In 1980, David Letterman began hosting an Emmy Award-winning morning comedy-variety program, "The David Letterman Show," which ran for three months on NBC. His critically acclaimed show "Late Night with David Letterman" premiered in February 1982. Throughout its 11½ years, "Late Night" was honored with many awards, including five Emmys and 35 Emmy nominations.

From the start, David Letterman has been critically applauded for redefining the talk-show genre. In 1992, David Letterman received the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for taking "one of TV's most conventional and least inventive forms—the talk show—and infusing it with freshness and imagination." David Letterman has also won two American Comedy Awards as Funniest Male Performer in a Television Series, and in 1995 and 2001 he was nominated for a Career Achievement Award by the Television Critics Association. David Letterman was also honored as "Favorite Late Night Talk Show Host" at the 31st Annual People's Choice Awards in 2005.






DAVID LETTERMAN: FACTS

How tall is David Letterman? How old is David Letterman? Where was David Letterman born? Find out here.

Age: 62 years old
Birthday: April 12, 1947
Height: 6' 1 ½"
Nickname: The Big Man
Dave
Full Name / Real Name: David Michael Letterman
Birthplace: Indianapolis, IN
Wife: Regina Lasko
Michelle Cook



DAVID LETTERMAN: NEWS (5)


David Letterman on "Late Show with David Letterman"Jaimee Grubbs' Apology to Elin Nordegren Deemed InsincereThe apology by the Tiger Woods' mistress to his wife was ranked as less sincere than ones this year by Chris Brown, David Letterman and Governor Mark Sanford. Read more...
Jerry Seinfeld and David Letterman on "Late Show with David Letterman"David Letterman Gives 'The Tonight Show' Its Biggest Beating Since 2000"Late Show with David Letterman" won the ratings race by its largest margin in 9 years, not to mention receiving 5 Emmy nominations this morning. Read more...
"Mad Men" Cast2009 Emmy Award Nominations Announced"30 Rock" and "Mad Men" come out on top again this year for comedy and drama series with 22 and 16 nominations respectively, while "Grey Gardens" cultivates 17, "Into the West" rides into the sunset with 14, "Saturday Night Live" yucks it up for 13, and "Dancing with the Stars" waltzes away with 10. Read more...
SEE ALL DAVID LETTERMAN NEWS (5)


LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN: NEWS


Conan O'Brien on "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien"David Letterman Beats Conan O'Brien"Late Show with David Letterman" came out on top in households and viewers for the week for the first time against "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien." Read more...
Poster for "Twilight" (2008)Grab Your Surfboards and Catch the First Wave of 'Teen Choice 2009' Nominees"Twilight," Miley Cyrus, "High School Musical 3: Senior Year," "Gossip Girl," Jonas Brothers and "American Idol" top the list with the most nominations for the awards show airing on August 10. Read more...