David Letterman Genealogy
(aka, David Michael Letterman)Are You Related?

Known for his sharp wit and his top ten lists, David Michael Letterman was born April 12, 1947, in Indianapolis, Indiana. He started his broadcasting career at his college's student-run radio station as an announcer and newscaster. He went on to become a radio talk show host, then a television anchor and weatherman, where he soon earned a name for himself with his offbeat, quirky humor. Hoping to become a comedy writer, Letterman moved to Los Angeles, where he began performing standup comedy at The Comedy Store. He became a writer and regular on The Starland Vocal Band and appeared on Mork and Mindy, the Gong Show, and Mary Tyler Moore's variety show, Mary, as well as becoming a regular on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Letterman soon became a favorite of Carson's and acted as a regular guest host beginning in 1978. On February 1, 1982, directly after Carson's show, Late Night with David Letterman debuted; its first guest was Bill Murray. Seen as edgy and unpredictable, it soon developed a cult following, especially amongst college students, who warmed to Letterman's tendency to fight with guests. Following Carson's retirement in 1992, NBC gave his spot to Jay Leno instead of Letterman, who went to CBS where he was given his own show, The Late Show with David Letterman. Letterman has been married twice--to Michelle Cook and Regina Lasko, with whom he has one son, Harry.

David Letterman's last name, "Letterman," is a German name meaning "leather worker." It was first found in Austria in the 14th Century from the Gaelic name O Caiside. Other spellings include "Lederman," "Ledermann," "Lederer," "Leder," and "Lederle." The first Letterman to settle in the United States was Martin Letterman in Pennsylvania in 1757.