David Letterman – Net Worth, Money and More
NET WORTH: $400 MILLION
PROFESSION / CAREER: HOST
Stand-up comedian turns into a talk show host
Starting from stand-up comedy and travelling a long road of success, David Letterman has made quite a stand in his long term television career. Born in the city of Indianapolis on April 12th 1947, David was a son to Harry Joseph Letterman and Dorothy Letterman. His father was a florist. From his childhood days, David was very passionate about cars. He inherited the good sense of humor from his father. He grabs 20 million dollars for his show.
Career graph
He led his first stone of his career with the television show in 70s with Starland Vocal Band. He also appeared in the game shows like Pyramid, Password Plus. But before tasting success David too had a bitter phase in career when after his series of comedy show, he came up with his own show in the morning slot. But the show did not add stars to David’s career and soon flopped. However, he soon found himself a night slot and started afresh. Climbing up the ladder of success step by step he soon made deep roots in the television industry and was made the host of The David Letterman Show when he shook hands with the NBC. The show is seeing its 31st season and the popularity of David is increasing each day by leaps and bounds. His work is appreciated by the critics as well as his friends.
Worthy possessions
David has a huge network of properties and mansions accredited to him. He has an estate of 108 acre in the Westchester, New York City. The 88 acre property cost him 5 million dollars and the rest of it was bought in 2007 and also cost 5 million dollars. He also owns a ranch (2700 acre) near Chateau, property in Martha’s Vineyard. He also has a place in St. Barth’s. He is a co-partner of Rahal Letterman Racing team. He also has donated a large sum of his money to charity for the betterment of other people.
Something went wrong with the host’s HEART
The comedian who was responsible for millions of smiles lost his own smile when he was diagnosed with a major heart ailment during one of the regular checkup.He immediately underwent the quintuple bypass surgery. When he recovered from the surgery, he invited the entire health care team and thanked them in the show. Meantime his show was hosted by many of friends and well-wishers in the industry. Later in the year, he was diagnosed with the shingles diseases and took the temporary off from the show.
Marital status: Married
He was married for the first time in in 1969 with Michelle Cook. However the marriage could not go long and the couple divorced in 1977. He then had a long affair with Merrill Markoe who was with him in the Late Night Show.
He then married Regina Lasko in the year 2009. The two also have a son from the marriage, Harry Joseph Letterman. The child was also kidnapped once by some Kelly Frank for 5 million dollars.
Big mouth always creates controversies
Because of his big mouth, Letterman has always been in the center of some or the other controversies. He has a serious feud with Sarah Palin’s daughter when he made fun of her in his shows. He was even called “disgusting” by her.
He also had a mild dispute with Oprah Winfrey when he tricked the waiter that his bill will be paid by Oprah. However, in 2005 Oprah was a guest in his show and the two from then have appeared together in many other talk shows. He has always received many life threats, on even from Al-Qaeda for making fun of their departed member but David has always mocked these warnings.
Man of many honors
David was the recipient of the famous Emmy awards for being an Outstanding Host in Variety Series in 1981 for his show The David Letterman Show. He also received the Emmy in the Outstanding Individual achievement Writers category. He also won the American Comedy Awards for the Funniest Male Performer in a TV Special in the years 1989, 1994, 1995, 2001. He was also awarded the Kennedy Center Honors for being the most influential personality in TV history.
He was ranked 38th in Celebrity 100,45thin Money, 17thin TV/Radio, 35th in Press, 77th in Social, 41th in Marketability and 41th in Forbes 2012 list.
So he said and as I quote:
- There’s only one requirement of any of us, and that is to be courageous. Because courage, as you might know, defines all other human behavior. And, I believe – because I’ve done a little of this myself – pretending to be courageous is just as good as the real thing.
- People say New Yorkers can’t get along. Not true. I saw two New Yorkers, complete strangers, sharing a cab. One guy took the tires and the radio; the other guy took the engine.
- Experts say that Iraq may have nuclear weapons. That’s bad news – they may have a nuclear bomb. Now the good news is that they have to drop it with a camel.
- Don’t forget it’s daylight savings time. You spring forward, then you fall back. It’s like Robert Downey Jr. getting out of bed.
