Trivia

When Burt Ward was asked to give a speech at Harvard about his role on Batman (1966), he brought the original Robin costume, said to be valued at half a million dollars. Some students dressed as security guards came up to him and told him they would keep the costume safe. Then, in the middle of Ward's speech, one student stood up and asked, "When is a costume not a costume? When it's stolen." The lights dimmed and the students grabbed the costume and made off. After snapping pictures of one another wearing the cape, they later called Ward and gave the costume back. The ringleader of the gang? Harvard Lampoon editor, Conan O'Brien.

He was given the nickname Coco by Tom Hanks on the second episode of The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (2009). Conan jokingly replied, "If that sticks, I'm going to sue you!" The name Coco would later be used for the Team Coco online campaign to support him during the "Late Night Wars" in late 2009.

Replaced David Letterman in the late-night slot on NBC after Letterman left for CBS. Virtually no one thought the show would last. It did last, for over 15 years.

He was editor of the Harvard Lampoon for two years in a row, and he is the second person to have ever done this. Before him, it had been 85 years since it was done.

Graduated magna cum laude from Harvard University, with a BA in American history and literature. (1985)

Shortly after New York State legalized gay marriage, Conan became an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church so he could officiate the wedding of one of his producers on his show while it was being taped that week in New York City.

Hosted Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) until 2009, when he replaced Jay Leno as host of NBC's Tonight Show. He was fired from The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (2009) after less than a year because he refused to start the show later. He felt like it wouldn't really be The Tonight Show in a different time slot. Afterward, he went on a nationwide comedy and music tour before taking a job at TBS as host of Conan (2010) in 2010.

Is an avid fan of filmmaker Kevin Smith.

Was the last guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992).

In one episode of his show, a Finnish man in his audience pointed out to him that he looked like Finland's president, Tarja Halonen. O'Brien decided to support Halonen in her reelection campaign in 2006, and started a skit called "Pro-Finland, Anti- Sweden." Halonen met with him and gave him a gift, Moomin dolls for his family.

Married Liza Powel O'Brien on January 12, 2002, in a full Catholic Mass by Father Paul O'Brien (no relation) at St. James Cathedral in Liza's hometown, Seattle. The couple met when Liza was a guest on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993).

Appeared as an extra and bit player on a number of skits on Saturday Night Live (1975) - notably as "Sheriff Andy" in a Twin Peaks (1990) parody with Kyle MacLachlan, and drinking in the bar in the "Irish Drinking Songs" commercial parody.

Originally wanted to name his daughter the old-fashioned Irish feminine name Niamh (pronounced "knee-vh" or "neh-v"), which means "radiance, lustre, brightness" -- but decided that her life would be easier if they Americanized the spelling to Neve.

In the beginning season of the show, he signed a new contract every week because the network was doubtful of the show's future and his ratings.

A distant cousin of Denis Leary.

Prior to Anna Nicole Smith's death, Conan frequently parodied her and made jokes about her being a gold digger and a ditzy blonde during his monologues, but after she passed away, he immediately stopped as a gesture of respect.

His favorite episode of The Simpsons (1989) is "Marge vs. the Monorail".

Once shared an apartment with comedian/actor Jeff Garlin in Chicago, across from Wrigley Field, before both of them made it big.

Both of his parents are of Irish descent.

His show was canceled for one night and brought back because the network's executives wanted to find a replacement show before canceling the show. A replacement show was never needed.

After leaving The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien (2009), Conan kicked off a comedy tour and signed a contract with TBS to start his new show, Conan (2010). (April 2010)

Took tap dancing lessons as a child

Often tried to calm his Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) audience with the term "Cool, babies." This is a lyric from "Burning Down the House," a Talking Heads song.

Is good friends with Timothy Olyphant, Joel McHale, and Martin Short.

Lived in Manhattan's fabled West Side apartment building the Apthorp, whose residents include Rosie O'Donnell, Steve Kroft, Cyndi Lauper, Kate Nelligan, and Lena Horne.

Daughter Neve O'Brien was born October 14, 2003, in New York (6 lb, 10 oz).

Son Beckett O'Brien was born on November 9, 2005, in New York City, weighing in at 8 lb, 4 oz.

At 46 years old, he was the oldest person at the time to start hosting "The Tonight Show." When Jay Leno took "The Tonight Show" back over, if you consider that to be "starting" hosting again, then Leno would be the oldest now. Otherwise, O'Brien's record still stands.

Claims he lost his virginity listening to The Who.

Became the fifth host of "The Tonight Show" on its 55th anniversary.

Plays guitar.

The name of his production company, Conaco, was chosen to echo the name of petroleum company Conoco.

On a July 26, 2020, episode of his podcast, he revealed that Lorne Michaels had him be an extra in Coneheads (1993), but his scenes were deleted.

For Conan, the most beautiful woman in the world is Gisele Bündchen. He had the opportunity of telling her that personally when she was a guest on his show in 2005.

In the 2001 film Sugar & Spice (2001), one of the cheerleaders is obsessed with "Conan O'Brien".

One of his all-time favorite television shows is The Odd Couple (1970).

Friends with Bob Newhart.

Had a golden retriever named Hudson, who was originally part of a sketch on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993). He now has a golden retriever named Bosco.

Owns a summer home in Norfolk, Massachusetts.

Calls where he sits "The Chat Zone."

Calls where he does his monologue "The Laugh Zone."

He hates mushrooms.

A graduate of Brookline High School.

Resides in the Brentwood section of Los Angeles.

Worked as a warmup comic for the The Wilton North Report (1987).

Grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Maintains a country retreat in the secluded Litchfield County town of Washington, Connecticut. (May 2007)

Son-in-law of Seattle Dixieland band-leader Jake Powel.

Cousin of Jay Mohr.

Once shared an apartment with Bill Cusack.