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Conan Christopher O'Brien

Conan O’Brien is an American comedian, writer, and TV host with one of the longest careers in late-night television history. He hosted Late Night, The Tonight Show, and Conan across 28 years before transitioning to podcasting and travel television. He hosted the Academy Awards in 2025 and 2026 and currently hosts the travel series Conan O’Brien Must Go on Max.

Overview

Conan Christopher O'Brien's Profile

Conan O’Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, and one of the most recognizable figures in late-night television. Born on April 18, 1963, in Brookline, Massachusetts, he attended Harvard University, where he studied History and Literature. After graduating, he began his career as a comedy writer for Saturday Night Live and later for The Simpsons, where he contributed to several classic episodes.

In 1993, O’Brien was chosen to replace David Letterman as host of NBC’s Late Night. Despite being relatively unknown on television and having an uncertain start, the show found its footing and ran for 16 years. Over the next sixteen years, his offbeat humor, absurd sketches, and strong writing team built a devoted audience. After Late Night, he briefly hosted The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien in 2009 before moving to TBS to host Conan, which ran from 2010 to 2021.

In 2018, O’Brien launched the podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, which grew to over 660 million downloads. Since 2024, he has been hosting the travel comedy series Conan O’Brien Must Go on Max. He also hosted the Academy Awards in 2025 and 2026, bringing the Oscars ceremony its best U.S. ratings in five years.

Quick Facts

  • Full Name: Conan Christopher O'Brien
  • Gender: Male
  • Date of Birth: 1963-04-18
  • Nationality: American
  • Ethnicity: White
  • Sexual Orientation: Straight
  • Marital Status: Married
  • Career Start: 1993
  • Years Active: 33
  • Estimated Salary: $12–$15 million

3
Shows Hosted

1
Shows Currently Hosting

33
Years Active

10
Awards & Nominations

TV Shows​

A list of television shows hosted by this host, including current programs and previous presenting roles.

Current Shows

Conan O’Brien Must GoConan O’Brien Must Go

Past Shows

The Tonight ShowThe Tonight ShowLate NightLate Night

Networks

A list of Networks that this host has worked for.

Current Networks

No current networks found.

Past Networks

No past networks found.

Personal Life

Family, relationships and background

  • Marriage Liza Powel O'Brien from 2002 to (A playwright and podcaster. They met in 2000 during a Late Night taping at her New York advertising agency. )
  • Marriage Lynn Kaplan from 1994 to 1999 (A talent booker for Late Night )
  • Dating Lisa Kudrow from 1993 to 1993 (An actress best known for Friends. They dated briefly in 1993. )
  • Neve O'Brien, a biological child with Liza Powel O'Brien, born in 2003
  • Beckett O'Brien, a biological child with Liza Powel O'Brien, born in 2005

Education

Educational background and qualifications

  • Brookline High School, Massachusetts
  • Bachelor of Arts in History and Literature from Harvard University
  • Honorary Doctor of Arts from Dartmouth College (2011)

Net Worth & Income

Income sources, net worth, and properties.

  • Earned $12 million per year hosting Conan on TBS (2010–2021).
  • Sold podcast network Team Coco to SiriusXM in May 2022 for $150 million.
  • Received a settlement from NBC upon departing The Tonight Show in 2010, reported to be in the tens of millions of dollars.
  • Owns a $10.5 million mansion in Brentwood, Los Angeles, purchased in 2009, and an oceanfront home in Carpinteria, California, purchased in 2016.
  • Earnings from the Max deal for Conan O'Brien Must Go, SiriusXM podcast revenue, live stand-up touring, and Academy Awards hosting fees.

Awards

Awards & recognition

  • Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Saturday Night Live (1989, shared)
  • Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, Late Night with Conan O'Brien (2007)
  • Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Emerging Media Program, Conan (2012)
  • Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Emerging Media Program, Conan Without Borders (2018)
  • Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Writing for a Nonfiction Program, Conan O'Brien Must Go — "Ireland" episode (2024)
  • Primetime Emmy Award — Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special, Conan O'Brien Must Go (2025)
  • Mark Twain Prize for American Humor — Kennedy Center (2025)
  • Television Academy Hall of Fame inductee (2025)
  • 7 Writers Guild of America Awards — writing for Late Night with Conan O'Brien and Conan (1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2022)
  • People's Choice Award — Favorite Television Host (2011)