Conan O'Brien

Aired final episode of "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" on February 20

Premiered as host of "The Tonight Show" on June 1. His first guests included Will Ferrell and Pearl Jam.

Produced and co-wrote the pilot for the short-lived NBC sitcom, "Andy Barker, P.I."

Negotiated a new contract with NBC to take over "The Tonight Show" from Jay Leno in 2009

Co-wrote and produced the FOX series, "Andy Richter Controls the Universe"

Hosted the 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

Formed his own production company, Conaco

Had cameo in the Todd Solondz-directed, "Storytelling"

Suggested by Lorne Michaels to succeed David Letterman as the host of "Late Night"; the show re-titled "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (NBC) aired on September 13, with Andy Richter as his sidekick; earned consecutive Emmy nominations for Outstanding Writing from 1996-2009

Became a writer and supervising producer for "The Simpsons" (FOX)

Co-wrote and produced (with Robert Smigel) the television pilot "Lookwell" (NBC) starring Adam West; pilot never went to series

Joined with SNL writers Bob Odenkirk and Robert Smigel for the improvisational comedy revue "Happy Happy Good Show" in Chicago

Hired by producer Lorne Michaels as a writer for "Saturday Night Live" (NBC); earned Emmy nominations for Outstanding Writing from 1989-1991

Joined the writing staff of HBO's "Not Necessarily the News"

Moved to Los Angeles after college

Began performing with the Groundlings improv group in Los Angeles