7 Shocking Facts About David Letterman's Age And His Unstoppable Career At 78

As of today, December 10, 2025, David Letterman is 78 years old, maintaining a staggering relevance in the world of late-night television and long-form interviewing despite his 2015 retirement from his long-running CBS post. The iconic comedian, known for his acerbic wit and groundbreaking talk show format, continues to defy the notion of a traditional retirement, instead transitioning his career to a critically acclaimed Netflix series and making powerful statements on the current state of media and politics. His enduring presence proves that a true television legend never truly leaves the spotlight, they just change the channel.

The question of "how old is David Letterman" is often followed by curiosity about his current projects, and the answer is that he remains incredibly active. Born in 1947, Letterman has cemented his status as one of the most influential figures in comedy, and this year is no exception, with the highly anticipated Season 6 of *My Next Guest Needs No Introduction* dropping on Netflix in December 2025, featuring a diverse and surprising lineup of global figures. This deep dive explores his age, his remarkable biography, and the fresh, new chapters of his life and career, proving that 78 is the new peak for the master interviewer.

David Letterman: Complete Biographical Profile and Career Milestones

David Michael Letterman was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, and rose from a local weatherman with a quirky sense of humor to become the longest-serving late-night talk show host in American television history. His career is a masterclass in comedic evolution, influencing generations of comedians and hosts.

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• Full Name: David Michael Letterman
• Date of Birth: April 12, 1947
• Current Age (as of Dec 2025): 78 years old
• Place of Birth: Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
• Education: Ball State University (Muncie, Indiana)
• Spouse: Regina Lasko (m. 2009); Michelle Cook (m. 1968; div. 1977)
• Children: Harry Joseph Letterman
• Early Career: Weatherman and host on Indianapolis television (WLWI-TV)
• Big Break: Stand-up comedy in Los Angeles, leading to frequent appearances on *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*.
• Major Shows:
  • *The David Letterman Show* (NBC daytime, 1980)
  • *Late Night with David Letterman* (NBC, 1982–1993)
  • *Late Show with David Letterman* (CBS, 1993–2015)
  • *My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman* (Netflix, 2018–Present)
• Total Late-Night Episodes: Hosted over 6,000 late-night television episodes across his career.
• Awards and Honors: Multiple Emmy Awards, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a Peabody Award.

The Unstoppable Post-Retirement Career: Netflix, Free Speech, and Jimmy Kimmel

While David Letterman stepped away from the desk of the *Late Show* in 2015, his self-proclaimed “retirement” has been anything but quiet. His move to the streaming giant Netflix with *My Next Guest Needs No Introduction* was a strategic pivot, allowing him to engage in long-form, in-depth conversations free from the constraints of the network late-night format.

Letterman’s current work is characterized by a deeper, more reflective style, a stark contrast to the quick-fire comedy and "Top Ten Lists" of his CBS days. The show has hosted global figures and cultural icons, and the latest season continues this trend with a surprising mix of guests that speak to Letterman's broad curiosity.

What to Expect in *My Next Guest Needs No Introduction* Season 6 (Dec 2025)

The newest season, which premiered in December 2025, highlights Letterman's ability to connect with diverse personalities, from Hollywood heavyweights to digital media entrepreneurs. The confirmed lineup for Season 6 is particularly compelling, showcasing his continued relevance across different generations of fame.

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• Michael B. Jordan: The acclaimed actor, director, and producer.
• MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson): A major coup, featuring one of the world's biggest YouTube content creators and entrepreneurs.
• Billie Eilish: The Grammy-winning musical sensation.
• Kevin Durant: The NBA superstar, adding a major sports entity to the list.
• Ryan Reynolds: The actor and entrepreneur, known for his comedic timing.
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus: The celebrated actress of *Seinfeld* and *Veep* fame.

The inclusion of guests like MrBeast demonstrates Letterman’s keen eye for the cultural zeitgeist, bridging the gap between traditional media and the new digital landscape. This approach has kept his show fresh and relevant in a crowded streaming market. The new season is sure to generate significant buzz, further solidifying the show's place as a must-watch for fans of deep-dive interviews.

David Letterman on the State of Late Night and His Philosophy on Aging

Despite being 78, David Letterman is far from slowing down, and he has been vocal about his views on both his own career and the current state of late-night television. He famously once stated that "retirement is nonsense," a sentiment he lives by with his ongoing Netflix production schedule and public appearances.

In a notable appearance at The Atlantic Festival in 2025, Letterman engaged in a serious discussion about the future of free speech and the challenges facing late-night hosts in a polarized media environment. His comments reflect a man who, while no longer hosting a nightly show, still keenly observes and comments on the cultural and political landscape.

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A major headline from late 2025 involved Letterman’s high praise for fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. He lauded Kimmel, calling him "the leader of the resistance" in what he described as a "crippled" democracy. This endorsement from a legend like Letterman carries significant weight, positioning Kimmel as the heir apparent to the role of the conscience of late-night, a mantle Letterman himself once held.

His continued engagement with these serious topics, alongside his deeply personal interviews on Netflix, shows a shift from the ironic detachment of his younger years to a more earnest, yet still humorous, perspective. At 78, David Letterman is not just reflecting on his past; he is actively shaping the conversation about the future of media, comedy, and public discourse. His career, spanning decades and multiple formats, serves as a powerful testament to the idea that age is simply a number when you have a curious mind and an enduring passion for conversation.