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Conan O'Brien

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Conan O'Brien
O'Brien in New York, November 2007.
Birth nameConan Christopher O'Brien
Born (1963-04-18) April 18, 1963 (age 61)
Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.
Mediumtheatre, television, stand-up
NationalityAmerican
Years active1985 - present
GenresImprovisational comedy, Sketch comedy, Physical comedy, Surreal humor
Subjectsself-deprecation, pop culture
SpouseElizabeth Ann Powel (2002-present) (2 children)
Notable works and rolesWriter for The Simpsons (1992-1993)
Host of Late Night with Conan O'Brien
WebsiteNBC.com/Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Conan Christopher O'Brien (born April 18, 1963) is an Emmy Award-winning American television host and TV writer, best known as host of NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien.

Background

Conan Christopher O'Brien was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston, Massachusetts, the son of Ruth (née Reardon), an attorney, and Thomas Francis O'Brien, a professor of medicine and physician.

As a child, O'Brien struggled with a stammer, which he overcame after much hard work and help from the Sylvan Learning Center branch in Brookline. In middle school, Conan was made fun of due to his highly animated hair. His nickname was Conick (Conan and Cowlick put together). He later served as managing editor of his school newspaper and interned for Rep. Barney Frank.

After graduating from the Brookline High School as valedictorian, O'Brien entered Harvard University and lived in Holworthy Hall during his freshman year . In his three upper-class years, O'Brien lived in Mather House. Throughout his college career, he was a writer for the Harvard Lampoon humor magazine. During his sophomore and junior years, O'Brien served as the Lampoon's president, making him the second person ever to serve as president twice, and the first person to have done it in 85 years. He graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University in 1985 with a B.A. in History and Literature.

While attending Harvard, O'Brien was roommates with Damon Krukowski, who later became drummer for the indie band Galaxie 500. O'Brien had previously bought himself a drumkit, but had only recently given up playing it and instead concentrated on playing the guitar. He lent his drumkit to Krukowski, who he knew would get more use out of it. O'Brien's drum kit can be heard on many of Galaxie 500's early recordings.

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Personal life

Conan O'Brien with his wife, Elizabeth Ann Powel, in 2007

On January 12, 2002, O'Brien married former advertising copywriter Elizabeth Ann 'Liza' Powel (b. November 12 1970) of Seattle, Washington. O'Brien met Powel, an ad executive, in 2000, when she helped create a comedic TV ad for the show in Houston, TX. The couple dated for nearly a year and a half. Officiating at the wedding was O'Brien's long-time friend, Father Paul B. O' Brien, with whom he founded Labels Are For Jars an anti-hunger organization based in Lawrence, MA. O'Brien has stated on air that he is Irish Catholic.

O'Brien and Powel have a daughter, Neve, born October 14, 2003 and a son, Beckett, born November 9, 2005, both born in New York City.

Politically, O'Brien supports the Democratic party, having donated $1000 to the Senate campaigns of Christopher Dodd in 1997 and 2004.

In December of 2007 a man was arrested for impersonating O'Brien outside a Philadelphia night club owned by Charles Barkley. The man was said to have been charging for autographs and pictures. He was later released on bail.

In January 2008, after his show was put on hold for two months due to the strike by the Writers Guild of America, he reemerged on late-night TV sporting a beard, which guest Tom Brokaw later described as making him look like "a draft dodger from the Civil War."

Recently, O'Brien purchased a $10.5 million dollar mansion in Los Angeles, California. The reason for this is that he will be moving there in 2009 from New York City, New York to work at his new job, at The Tonight Show.

Subject of stalking

It was reported that since September 2006 that O'Brien had allegedly been stalked by the Rev. David Ajemian of the Archdiocese of Boston, who, despite multiple warnings to stop, had been sending O'Brien letters signed as "your priest stalker" and coming in contact with O'Brien's parents. Ajemian sent a letter to O'Brien, frustrated that he had been denied a spot in the Late Night audience. He stated in his letter to O'Brien that he flew to New York, "in the dimming hope that you might finally acknowledge me." He also stated in another letter that, "Is this the way you treat your most dangerous fans??? You owe me big time pal." Ajemian also seemed to have made a death threat to O'Brien in another letter; saying, "Remember Frank Costello once dodged a bullet in your building and so can you." Ajemian then tried to forcefully enter a taping of Late Night, but was caught and arrested. He was previously warned by the NBC security team to stay away from the studio. After a psychological evaluation, he was deemed fit to stand trial. He has since been bailed out of jail. He was then reported missing by his father around 3:15 PM EST on November 10, 2007. He was found and is currently undergoing evaluation at a hospital.

Comedy and mannerisms

On Late Night, O'Brien has become known for his more active and spontaneous hosting style. His stage habits include but are not limited to mime, self-deprecation, dramatic expressions, various impressions and use of awkward pauses or responses, and moving his hair and scalp back and forth. He frequently makes fun of the audience. He commonly makes light of his own appearance including his hairstyle, his pale skin and he jokes about his height (he stands 6'4" or 193cm) .

One of his trademarks is to perform the "string dance." He also does impressions of celebrities; among the most common are Arnold Schwarzenegger (where he bites off a piece of sausage) and Donald Trump. His Donald impression often includes the phrase, "You're Fired."


Partial list of film and TV appearances

References

  1. Conan O'Brien at IMDb
  2. Conan O'Brien Biography (1963-)
  3. 1
  4. . 'Poonster Gets the Last Laugh, June 2000 article from The Harvard Crimson
  5. Harvard College Freshman Dean's Office
  6. Conan O'Brien & Wife Have Second Child - Pregnancy, Conan O'Brien : People.com
  7. NBC late night host Conan O'Brien, ad executive marry at Seattle cathedral
  8. E! News - Conan's Baby O'Brien
  9. Catholic Celebrities - Page 10 - Catholic Answers Forums
  10. USATODAY.com - Conan O'Brien and wife have baby girl
  11. NBC Universal: Birth Notice from Late Night with Conan O'Brien
  12. NEWSMEAT ▷ Conan O'Brien's Federal Campaign Contribution Report
  13. SFGate: Daily Dish : O'Brien Spends Big in L.A
  14. Conan's Alleged 'Priest Stalker' in Court
  15. Accused Conan Stalker Hospitalized

External links

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Preceded byJay Leno Host of The Tonight Show
announced 		Succeeded by–
Preceded byEllen DeGeneres Host of Emmys
2006 		Succeeded byRyan Seacrest

Template:Simpsons writers

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