Paul Shaffer

Birthplace: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
Birthday: November 28, 1949

Known as TV's most unlikely hipster, Canadian-born Paul Shaffer has served as David Letterman's music director and sidekick since "Late Night with David Letterman" first aired on NBC in 1982. A marvelous foil for Letterman's humor and a consummate popular musician whose keyboard virtuosity enables him to collaborate with virtually any performer, Shaffer moved with Dave to CBS in 1993, and his groovy patter and eclectic music have helped "The Late Show with David Letterman" maintain its cutting-edge gloss through the years. In addition to his ow…more

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Career Milestones

1998
Performed in "Blues Brothers 2000"
1997
Heard as the voice of Hermes in Disney's animated feature "Hercules"
1997
Seen as part of the "Blues Brothers Bash" during the Super Bowl XXXI half-time show
1996
Musical director for the concert finale at the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Summer Olympic Games, coordinating and directing such artists as Stevie Wonder, Gloria Estefan, B.B. King, Little Richard and Al Green
1993 to 0000
Moved with Letterman to CBS becoming music director for "The Late Show with David Letterman"; leader of CBS Orchestra