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David Letterman

Comedy history · 15 facts, each from at least two of 11 independent sources · last reviewed 2026-10-17

David Letterman hosted NBC's Late Night with David Letterman, a show that later moved to CBS as the Late Show.1,2,3,4 Born in Indianapolis, he worked there as a weatherman before he moved to Los Angeles and performed at the Comedy Store.4,5,6,7,8 He stepped down from the Late Show in 2015.9,10,11

Early Life and Education

David Michael Letterman, his full given name, came into the world in Indianapolis on April 12, 1947.4,5 He earned a telecommunications degree from Ball State University in 1969.4,7

Weatherman Years

Early on, Letterman delivered weather reports in his hometown of Indianapolis.4,5,6,7 One of his forecasts described hail as large as canned hams.2,5,6,7 On another occasion, he offered congratulations to a tropical storm after it was upgraded to hurricane status.2,5,6,7

Los Angeles and Early Television Work

In 1975, Letterman arrived in Los Angeles and took the stage at the Comedy Store.4,8 He also wrote for the program Good Times.4,7 In about 1978, he made his first guest appearance on The Tonight Show.5,12

Late Night on NBC

Late Night with David Letterman debuted on NBC in 1982, with Letterman as host.1,2,3,4,5,8 Among the features the show was known for were Stupid Human Tricks and Stupid Pet Tricks.4,7 Letterman and Leno were rivals over who would take Carson's place.4,9

Late Show on CBS

In 1993, the show switched networks and continued on CBS under the name Late Show.3,4 After Letterman's departure, Stephen Colbert followed him as host.9,10,11

Sources

  1. Dave Letterman Profile - Interview with David Letterman (esquire.com)
  2. Video: David Letterman’s early career as a weatherman - The Washington Post (washingtonpost.com) · archived copy
  3. CBS Extends David Letterman Contract Through 2015 (hollywoodreporter.com)
  4. David Letterman - a Star Library biography (indystar.com) · archived copy
  5. David Letterman's 1984 Playboy Interview. A Candid Conversation with the Comedy Genius In His Youth (kinja.com) · archived copy
  6. Charlie Rose - An interview with David Letterman (charlierose.com) · archived copy
  7. CBC Archives (cbc.ca) · archived copy
  8. Late Night Letterman - Comedy, Late Night with David Letterman, The Tonight Show, David Letterman : People.com (people.com) · archived copy
  9. Letterman: A TV Traditionalist With a Weird Streak | Time (time.com) · archived copy
  10. David Letterman signs off after 33 years and 6,028 shows (yahoo.com)
  11. Dorothy Mengering Dead: David Letterman's Mom Was 95 (hollywoodreporter.com)
  12. CNN.com - Transcripts (cnn.com)

Updated November 12, 2026.

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