David Michael Letterman is an American Emmy Award-winning television host and comedian. His first major success occurred on the long-running NBC television program, Late Night with David Letterman, before moving to CBS in 1993 to his current place on the Late Show. Letterman's ironic, often absurd comedy is heavily influenced by former Tonight Show hosts Steve Allen, Johnny Carson and Jack Paar.

Letterman has been hosting late night television for over 26 years, the longest of anyone outside of Johnny Carson who retired after 30 years.