Conan O'Brien, known for his late-night talk shows, started as a writer for SNL and The Simpsons. His career spanned over 30 years, hosting Emmy Awards and creating popular segments like 'remotes'.
Conan O'Brien, the American television host, comedian, writer, and producer, was born in Brookline, Massachusetts.
In 1981, Conan O'Brien started his studies at Harvard University, majoring in U.S. history and literature. During his time at Harvard, he was actively involved in writing for the Harvard Lampoon.
In 1985, Conan O'Brien graduated from Harvard University with a degree in History & Literature. Before becoming a famous talk show host and writer, he completed his education at Harvard.
Conan O'Brien's involvement in the popular television show 'Saturday Night Live' during this period.
After moving to Los Angeles and working on various comedy shows, Conan O'Brien was hired as a writer for Saturday Night Live by Lorne Michaels in January 1988. During his time on SNL, he wrote popular sketches and received recognition for his work.
In 1989, Conan O'Brien and his fellow SNL writers received an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series. This recognition highlighted O'Brien's talent and contribution to the comedy industry.
Conan O'Brien's contribution to the animated TV series 'The Simpsons' during this time frame.
In 1992, Conan O'Brien was introduced as the new host of Late Night, despite being relatively unknown and without previous experience in front of the camera.
Conan O'Brien was selected as the new host of Late Night on April 26, 1993. This marked a significant turning point in his career, transitioning from a writer to a prominent late-night talk show host.
Conan O'Brien becomes the new host of Late Night on NBC, succeeding David Letterman. Despite minimal on-camera experience, O'Brien impresses with his high-energy and unique comedic style, introducing a mix of silliness, intellectualism, and self-deprecation to late-night television.
In 1994, NBC executives were considering putting Conan O'Brien on a week-to-week contract due to the show's constant risk of cancellation. This period marked a challenging time for O'Brien as he faced uncertainties about the future of his late-night program.
Conan O'Brien served as the master of ceremonies for the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in 1995, showcasing his comedic talent in a prestigious event.
In 1996, Conan O'Brien won an Emmy Award for his work on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. The show was recognized for its outstanding writing.
David Letterman makes a guest appearance on Conan O'Brien's show, offering praise and support for O'Brien's comedic style and unique approach to late-night television. Letterman's appearance marks a significant moment of validation for O'Brien and his team.
Conan O'Brien hosted the 54th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2002, receiving critical acclaim for his performance.
In 2003, Conan O'Brien won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing for a Variety or Music Program.
Conan O'Brien negotiated a new contract with NBC in 2004, where it was decided that he would take over The Tonight Show from Jay Leno in 2009.
In 2005, Conan O'Brien was nominated for the Writers Guild of America Award in the Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) – Series category for Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
Starting in September 2006, Father David Ajemian of the Archdiocese of Boston stalked Conan O'Brien, sending him threatening letters and attempting to forcefully enter a taping of Late Night. Ajemian was later arrested and pleaded guilty to stalking.
Conan O'Brien and the other writers of Late Night with Conan O'Brien won an Emmy award in 2007, marking a significant achievement for the show.
In January 2008, following a two-month hiatus due to the Writers Guild of America strike, Conan O'Brien returned to late-night TV with a beard. The beard was famously compared to that of a Civil War draft dodger by guest Tom Brokaw.
Conan O'Brien's brief tenure as the host of 'The Tonight Show' from February 23, 2009, to January 22, 2010.
In 2009, Conan O'Brien took over as the host of The Tonight Show, replacing Jay Leno. However, due to network decisions, he had to leave the show the following year.
Conan O'Brien debuted as the fifth permanent host of The Tonight Show on June 1, 2009, taking over the prestigious late-night talk show.
Conan O'Brien received awards in 2010.
Conan O'Brien's final show as host of The Tonight Show aired on January 22, 2010, marking the end of his tenure on the program.
Conan O'Brien kicked off his 30-city live tour titled 'The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour' in Eugene, Oregon. The tour featured co-host Andy Richter and former members of The Tonight Show Band, entertaining audiences across North America before concluding in Atlanta on June 14, 2010.
Conan O'Brien appeared on the CBS newsmagazine 60 Minutes to discuss the conflict surrounding his departure from The Tonight Show, likening it to a sudden and violent breakup. He expressed his disappointment with NBC's decision but stated that he was doing well and hoped to continue entertaining audiences.
Conan O'Brien started his own late-night talk show 'Conan' on TBS after leaving NBC. The show premiered on November 8, 2010.
On June 12, 2011, Conan O'Brien received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Dartmouth College and delivered the commencement speech. This recognition highlighted his contributions to the entertainment industry.
In 2011, Conan O'Brien transitioned to hosting a show on cable television after leaving The Tonight Show. Despite the change, he still received Emmy nominations, contrasting with Jay Leno's situation.
On November 3, 2011, Conan O'Brien, ordained as a minister by the Universal Life Church Monastery, officiated the first same-sex marriage ceremony broadcast on American late-night television. The wedding took place on the stage of the Beacon Theatre.
Conan was nominated for Favorite TV Talk Show Host at the People's Choice Award in 2012.
Conan O'Brien served as the master of ceremonies for the White House Correspondents' Association dinner in 2013, demonstrating his ability to entertain a diverse audience.
Conan O'Brien hosted the 2014 MTV Movie Awards, showcasing his hosting skills to a wide audience.
Conan O'Brien made history by becoming the first American television personality to film in Cuba in over fifty years. This groundbreaking episode showcased O'Brien's willingness to explore new territories and engage with diverse cultures through his comedic lens.
Conan O'Brien embarked on a visit to South Korea, responding to a fan's invitation and expanding his global reach. During the trip, O'Brien and Steven Yeun ventured to the Korean Demilitarized Zone, inadvertently stepping into North Korea. This experience led to the creation of 'Conan Without Borders,' a series highlighting O'Brien's international adventures.
Conan O'Brien provided his voice for the character the Riddler in the animated film The LEGO Batman Movie released in 2017.
In 2018, Conan O'Brien launched his own weekly podcast, Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend, in partnership with Earwolf, aiming to see if celebrity guests would actually be his friends.
Conan O'Brien's show 'Conan' returned in a new half-hour format, sans the live band, offering viewers a refreshed and dynamic late-night experience. The format change reflected O'Brien's adaptability and commitment to evolving his comedic style.
In response to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Conan O'Brien's show switched to a remotely-produced format from his home starting March 30, 2020.
The final episode of Conan O'Brien's show aired on June 24, 2021, featuring a live audience and marking the end of his late-night hosting career.
In May 2022, Conan O'Brien's podcast and the entire Team Coco digital media business were sold to SiriusXM for $150 million.
On May 17, 2023, it was announced that a four-episode international travel series titled Conan O'Brien Must Go was in production, featuring O'Brien meeting fans in person.
An oral history of Conan O'Brien's first year at 'Late Night' featuring interesting tidbits such as emergency guests Jeanne Garofalo, Sarah Silverman, and They Might Be Giants, the US debut of the Cranberries on the show, and Conan's original idea of naming the show Nighty Night.
On April 19, 2024, Conan O'Brien shared streaming suggestions for the weekend, including 'Migration' and Taylor Swift's work.
On April 30, 2024, Conan O'Brien's appearance on an Irish language soap opera sparked curiosity and interest.