David Letterman

David Michael Letterman (born April 12, 1947) is an American talk show host, comedian, and television producer. Letterman's ironic, often absurdist comedy is heavily influenced by comedians Steve Allen, Ernie Kovacs, and Johnny Carson. He is most known currently for being the host of his own show, The Late Show with David Letterman.

Outside of television

In 1969, Letterman married his college sweetheart, Michelle Cook. The couple divorced in 1977.

Related Topics:
1969 - 1977

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For a time, Letterman was engaged to Late Night head writer, Merrill Markoe, but the relationship eventually fell apart. Markoe moved to California soon after to pursue a writing career.

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In 1985, Letterman established the Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship at his alma mater, to provide financial assistance to Department of Telecommunications students, based solely on his or her creativity, and not high academic grades —Many reports have stated that in order to qualify for the scholarship a student must have a C average or below. This is not true, nor has it ever been true. The scholarships are based on creativity regardless of grade point average. Letterman continues to regularly donate to Ball State and other organizations through his American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming.

Related Topics:
1985 - Alma mater - American Foundation for Courtesy and Grooming

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In 1988, Margaret Mary Ray was arrested while driving Letterman's Porsche near the Lincoln Tunnel in New York City. Ray claimed to be Letterman's wife. Ray went on to be arrested repeatedly in subsequent years on trespassing and other counts. In one instance, police found her sleeping on Letterman's private tennis court at his home in New Canaan, Connecticut. Ray spent nearly ten months in prison and 14 months in a state mental institution for her numerous trespassing convictions. On October 7, 1998, Ray was struck and killed by a train in an apparent suicide in Colorado.

Related Topics:
1988 - Porsche - New York City - New Canaan, Connecticut - October 7 - 1998 - Suicide - Colorado

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In 1994, Letterman appeared in the Chris Elliott film Cabin Boy, as the "Old Salt in the Fishing Village." He is credited as Earl Hofert, a pseudonym Letterman employs occasionally, the name borrowed from an uncle on his mother's side of the family.

Related Topics:
1994 - Chris Elliott - Cabin Boy - Pseudonym

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In 1996, Letterman became co-owner of the open-wheel racing team known as Team Rahal, with former Indianapolis 500 champion Bobby Rahal. The team changed its name to Rahal Letterman Racing in May 2004, and later that same month, team driver Buddy Rice won the Indianapolis 500. This was an exciting win indeed for Indianapolis native Letterman, who has attended the race regularly since he was a young child. Normally a private person away from the studio, like his mentor, Johnny Carson, Letterman uncharacteristically gave many interviews following the race.

Related Topics:
1996 - Indianapolis 500 - Bobby Rahal - Rahal Letterman Racing - May - 2004 - Buddy Rice

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Also in 1996, Letterman provided the voice of the Mötley Crüe Roadie #1 in the animated motion picture Beavis and Butt-head Do America. He again used Earl Hofert as his name in the end credits.

Related Topics:
Mötley Crüe Roadie #1 - Beavis and Butt-head Do America

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Letterman, along with bandleader Paul Shaffer and Late Show stage manager, Biff Henderson, celebrated Christmas 2002 in Afghanistan with United States and international military forces stationed there. The three visited Iraq around Christmas in 2003 and 2004.

Related Topics:
Paul Shaffer - Biff Henderson - Christmas - 2002 - Afghanistan - Iraq

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On September 12, 2003, Letterman announced that his long-time girlfriend and ex-colleague Regina Lasko Baby Timeline was six-months pregnant with his child. His son Harry Joseph Letterman, named after David's late father, was born on November 3, 2003.

Related Topics:
September 12 - 2003 - November 3

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In March, 2005, local police in Choteau, Montana foiled an alleged scheme to kidnap Letterman's son. Letterman owns a home outside of Choteau.

Related Topics:
March - 2005 - Choteau, Montana

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