Interesting Facts About Conan O'Brien

Conan O'Brien has been a much-loved television presence for over ten years. His quirky style and mannerisms, insightful and hilarious interviews, and self-deprecating jabs at himself and current events bring in millions of viewers a night to watch Late Night. If you are a fan of him like myself, there are many fun facts about this talented man's history and career that you deserve to know. Let's get started.

Harvard Graduate
Though common knowledge to some, not all fans know that the kooky late-night host received an Ivy League education. He graduated the esteemed university in 1985 with a B.A. in History and Literature, a major that would help fuel his writing and entertainment personality later down the road. While there he was also roommates with Damon Krukowski, who formed the indie-band Galaxie 500. It was also at Harvard that Conan developed his skills as an acoustic guitarist, a passion he still enjoys today.

Television Writer
Conan wrote for many years before becoming a talk show / variety show host. From 1988 to 1991 he wrote skits for Saturday Night Live. His more famous contributions were helping to write "The Girl Watchers," in which Tom Hanks and Jon Lovitz try to talk to ladies in ridiculous ways, and "The Nude Beach" sketch, where the word penis was said on live television over forty times. He also wrote episodes of The Simpsons from 1991 to 1994, including the fan-favorite episode "Marge vs. the Monorail." Even today he helps write many of the jokes on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

Conan & The Emmys
In 2002 and 2006, Conan hosted The Primetime Emmy Awards on his own with much gusto and hilarity, as well as co-hosted the show in 2003. The Late Nightwith Conan O'Brien writing staff, including Conan himself, has been nominated numerous times for the category of Best Writing in a Comedy or Variety Show, and finally won in 2007.

Cameos
Mr. O'Brien's television appearances have not been limited to the Emmys and his own variety show. He has had several on-screen roles during his years writing for SNL, was interviewed by Space Ghost on the Cartoon Network program Space Ghost Coast to Coast, and has recently been seen on 30 Rock and The Office. He has also given his voice talents to animated programs, including Futurama and Robot Chicken. His character was also used in the movie SouthPark: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut but voiced by someone else. Conan wishes that he had been asked by the show's staff to lend his voice. Even though his character jumped out of a building onto a car forty stories below, Conan was still flattered by his inclusion in South Park.

Replacing Jay Leno
In 2006 Jay Leno announced that Conan O'Brien would be his Tonight Show successor after he leaves the program in 2009. What this will do to Late Night remains in limbo, but Conan has accepted the offer.

Conan is a very talented entertainer with a varied but solid history in writing, hosting, and voice work. With any luck, you've hopefully learned a new fact or two about Conan O'Brien.