Conan O'Brien

Photo of Conan O'Brien

Biography

Even before landing that high-profile gig, this tall - standing at 6 feet 4 inches - gangly, carrot-topped comic was already revered in certain circles for his writing and producing talents on such comedy stalwarts as "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975- ) and "The Simpsons" (Fox, 1990- ). Despite a shaky "Late Night" start in 1993 - many predicted he would be replaced by year's end and most had no idea who he even was - O'Brien not only …
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Job Title

Actor, Producer, Writer, Other

Born

Conan Christopher O'Brien on April 18, 1963 in Brookline, Massachusetts, USA

Career Milestones

2010

Signed a deal for a new late-night program on TBS, the basic-cable network owned by Time Warner; the show "Conan" premiered in November 2010 to huge ratings

2010

After his high-profile exit from NBC, he earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Variety, Music Or Comedy Series for "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien"

2010

Due to O'Brien's settlement with NBC, which forbid him from appearing on television for several months, O'Brien traveled to 30 cities with his live comedy tour entitled, "Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour"

2009

Premiered as host of "The Tonight Show" (NBC) in June of 2009; announced in January 2010 he would leave the show due to what he called "the destruction" of "The Tonight Show" in NBC's attempt to move the show to 12:05 to accommodate the Jay Leno Show at 11:35

2009

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

2006

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

2004

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

2002

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

2002

Hosted the 54th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards

2001

Formed his own production company, Conaco

2001

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

1993

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

1991

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

1991

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

1988

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

1987

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

Began performing with the Groundlings improv group in Los Angeles

1985

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

1985

Moved to Los Angeles after college

Awards

2012

Writers Guild of America Award for Comedy/Variety – (Including Talk) Series in Conan

2011

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series in Conan

2010

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Series in The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

2010

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series in The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien

2009

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

2008

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

2007

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

2006

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

2005

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

2004

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

2003

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

2002

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

2001

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

2000

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety, Music or Comedy Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

1999

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety or Music Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

1998

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety or Music Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

1997

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety or Music Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

1996

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing For a Variety or Music Program in Late Night With Conan O'Brien

1991

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing In a Variety or Music Program in Saturday Night Live

1990

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing In a Variety or Music Program in Saturday Night Live

1989

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing In a Variety or Music Program in Saturday Night Live