Conan O'Brien grew up in a large, Irish Catholic family in Massachusetts. At an early age, he began a love of comedy and goofing off, this carried on when he entered the prestigious Harvard University, acting out many pranks in his time, as well as become the president of the Harvard humor magazine, the Harvard Lampoon. After leaving Harvard, Conan found his way into a television writing job in LA. After jumping around on many unsuccessful shows, Conan moved out to New York to win an Emmy for his writing on _"Saturday Night Live" .
Worked as a warmup comic for the "The Wilton North Report" .
Appeared as an extra and bit player on a number of skits on "Saturday Night Live" - notably as "Sheriff Andy" in a "Twin Peaks" parody with Kyle MacLachlan , and drinking in the bar in the "Irish Drinking Songs" commercial parody.
Born at 1:38pm-EST
His favorite episode of "The Simpsons" is "Marge vs. the Monorail".
A distant cousin of Denis Leary.
Graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, with a BA in American History & Literature.
He was editor of the Harvard Lampoon for two years in a row, and he is the second person to have ever done this. It had been 85 years since it was done.
Had a golden retriever named Hudson, who was originally part of a sketch on "Late Night". He now has a golden retriever named Bosco.
Married Liza Powel on January 12, 2002, in a full Catholic Mass by Father Paul OBrien at St. James Cathedral in Lizas home town, Seattle. The couple met when Liza was a guest on Late Night.
Lived in Manhattans fabled West Side apartment building, the Apthorp, whose residents include Rosie ODonnell , Steve Kroft , Cyndi Lauper , Kate Nelligan and Lena Horne.
Older brother of Jane OBrien and Kate B. OBrien.
A graduate of Brookline High School.
Once shared an apartment with Bill Cusack.
Took tap dancing lessons as a child
The name of his production company, Conaco, was chosen to echo the name of petroleum company Conoco.
Daughter Neve OBrien born October 14, 2003 in New York (6 lbs., 10 oz.).
Calls where he does his monologue "The Laugh Zone."
Calls where he sits "The Chat Zone."
In the 2001 film, Sugar & Spice , one of the cheerleaders is obsessed with "Conan OBrien".
Replaced David Letterman in the late night slot on NBC after Letterman left for CBS. Virtually no one thought the show would last. It did last, for 17 years.
Plays guitar.
Hosted "Late Night with Conan OBrien" until 2009 when he replaced Jay Leno as host of NBCs Tonight Show. He was fired from The Tonight Show after less than a year because he refused to start the show later. He felt like that wouldnt really be The Tonight Show in a different time slot. Afterward he went on a nationwide comedy and music tour before taking a job at TBS as host of "Conan" in 2010.
Became the 5th host of "The Tonight Show" on its 55th anniversary.
Both of his parents are of Irish descent.
His show was cancelled for one night and brought back because the networks executives wanted to find a replacement show before cancelling the show. A replacement show was never needed.
In the beginning season of the show, he signed a new contract every week because the network was doubtful of the shows future and his ratings.
Originally wanted to name his daughter the old-fashioned Irish feminine name Niamh (pronounced "knee-vh" or "neh-v"), which means "radiance, lustre, brightness" -- but decided that her life would be easier if they Americanized the spelling to Neve.
Son, Beckett OBrien, was born on November 9, 2005 in New York City, weighing in at 8 lbs. 4 oz.
Once shared an apartment with comedian/actor Jeff Garlin in Chicago across from Wrigley Field before both of them made it big.
When Burt Ward was asked to give a speech at Harvard about his role on "Batman" , he brought the original costume, said to be valued at half a million dollars. Some students came up to him dressed as security guards and told him they would keep the costume safe. Then in the middle of the speech, one student stood up and asked, "When is a costume not a costume? When its stolen." The lights dimmed and the students grabbed the costume and made off. After snapping pictures with one another in the cape, they later called Ward and gave the costume back. The ringleader of the gang? Harvard Lampoon editor, Conan OBrien.
In one episode of his show, a Finnish man in his audience pointed out to him that he looked like President Tarja Halonen. He decided to support Halonen in the election campaign in 2006, and started a skit called "Pro-Finland, Anti- Sweden". Halonen met with him and Halonen gave to him as a gift, Moomin dolls for his family.
For Conan, the most beautiful woman in the world is Gisele Bndchen. He had the opportunity of telling her personally this when she was a guest on his show in 2005.
One of his all-time favorite television shows is "The Odd Couple" .
Son-in-law of Seattle Dixieland band-leader Jake Powel.
Close friends with writer Chris Graves.
Owns a summer home in Norfolk, Massachusetts.
Is an avid fan of filmmaker Kevin Smith.
Often tries to calm his "Late Night" audience with the term "Cool Babies". This is a lyric from the Talking Heads song, "Burning Down the House".
Claims he lost his virginity listening to The Who.
Was the last guest on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" .
Grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts.
At 46 years old, he was the oldest person at the time to start hosting "The Tonight Show". When Jay Leno took "The Tonight Show" back over, if you consider that to be "starting" hosting again, then he would be the oldest now. Otherwise, his record still stands.
He was given the nickname "Coco" by Tom Hanks on the second episode of "The Tonight Show with Conan OBrien" . Conan jokingly replied "If that sticks, Im going to sue you!" The name "Coco" would later be used for the Team Coco online campaign to support him during the "Late Night Wars" in late 2009.
Prior to her death, Conan frequently parodied Anna Nicole Smith and made jokes about her being a gold digger and a ditzy blonde during his monologues but, after she passed away, he immediately stopped as a gesture of respect.
(May 2007) Maintains a country retreat in the secluded, Litchfield County town of Washington, Connecticut.
(April 2010) After leaving "The Tonight Show with Conan OBrien" , Conan kicked off a comedy tour and signed a contract with TBS to start his new show "Conan" .
(February 2006) Visited Finland.
Hosted NBCs "Late Night with Conan OBrien" from 1993-2009.
(January 2010) Ended his contract with the Tonight Show on NBC and may return to television in September.
Resides in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles.
Is good friends with Timothy Olyphant , Joel McHale , and Martin Short.
Shortly after New York state legalized gay marriage, Conan became an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church so he could officiate the wedding of one of his producers on his show while it was being taped that week in New York City.
He hates mushrooms.
Friends with Bob Newhart.
