Where did Conan O’Brien go to college?

Have you ever watched a late-night talk show and wondered how the host became so funny and successful? If you are a fan of comedy, you might have heard of Conan O’Brien, one of the most popular and longest-running talk show hosts in America. He is known for his witty jokes, hilarious sketches, and celebrity interviews. But did you know that he also has a very impressive educational background? In this article, we will explore where Conan O’Brien went to college and how his college years shaped his career and personality.

Conan O’Brien was born on April 18, 1963, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He grew up in a large Irish Catholic family with five siblings. His mother was a lawyer and his father was a doctor and a professor at Harvard Medical School. He showed an early interest in comedy and entertainment, writing funny plays and taking tap-dancing lessons as a child.

In 1981, he enrolled at Harvard University, one of the most prestigious and selective universities in the world. He majored in American history and literature, a field that combines the study of history, culture, and literature of the United States. He was a very bright and hard-working student, graduating magna cum laude (with great honor) in 1985.

But O’Brien was not only interested in academics. He also had a passion for humor and creativity. He joined The Harvard Lampoon, the famous humor magazine of the university, where he wrote jokes, stories, and cartoons. He was so good at it that he was elected president of the magazine for two consecutive terms, a rare feat in the history of The Harvard Lampoon. He also participated in other extracurricular activities, such as the Harvard Band and the Harvard Glee Club.

During his college years, O’Brien met many influential people who helped him develop his skills and talents. One of them was Greg Daniels, a fellow writer for The Harvard Lampoon, who later became a successful producer and writer for shows like The Simpsons, The Office, and Parks and Recreation. Another one was Jeff Zucker, a producer for The Harvard Crimson newspaper, who later became the president of NBC Entertainment and hired O’Brien to host Late Night.

After graduating from Harvard, O’Brien moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in comedy writing. He got his first job as a writer for Not Necessarily the News, a satirical news show on HBO. He then joined the writing staff of Saturday Night Live (SNL), where he created many memorable characters and sketches. He won an Emmy Award for his work on SNL in 1989. He also wrote and produced episodes for The Simpsons, one of the most popular animated sitcoms of all time.

In 1993, O’Brien got the opportunity of a lifetime when he was chosen by Lorne Michaels, the creator of SNL, and NBC to replace David Letterman as the host of Late Night, a late-night talk show that aired after The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. O’Brien was relatively unknown at the time and faced a lot of criticism and pressure from the media and the network. However, he gradually won over the audience with his unique style of humor, which combined improvisation, sketch comedy, physical comedy, surreal humor, self-deprecation, black comedy, musical comedy, and satire. He also developed a loyal fan base with his signature segments such as “In the Year 2000”, “If They Mated”, “Clueless Gamer”, “Triumph the Insult Comic Dog”, and “Conan Without Borders”.

O’Brien hosted Late Night for 16 years until 2009 when he moved to Los Angeles to host The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien. However, his tenure on The Tonight Show was short-lived due to a controversial decision by NBC to move Jay Leno back to the 11:35 p.m. time slot after his prime-time show failed to attract viewers. O’Brien refused to accept this change and left NBC after only seven months on The Tonight Show.

O’Brien then launched his talk show called Conan on TBS in 2010. He continued to entertain millions of fans with his hilarious monologues, interviews, sketches, remote segments, and musical performances. He also hosted several awards shows and television specials such as the Emmy Awards in 2002 and 2006 and the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in 1995 and 2013. He also started a podcast called Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend in 2018 where he interviewed celebrities and comedians in a more intimate and personal way.

O’Brien ended his run on Conan in June 2021 after 11 years on TBS. He announced that he would launch a new weekly variety show on HBO Max, a streaming service owned by WarnerMedia. He also said that he would continue to produce his podcast and his travel show, Conan Without Borders, where he visited different countries and cultures around the world.

Conan O’Brien is one of the most influential and respected figures in the entertainment industry. His college education at Harvard played a major role in his success and development as a comedian, writer, and host. He learned how to research, write, and analyze complex topics and issues. He also honed his humor, creativity, and leadership skills. He made lasting connections and friendships with people who supported him throughout his career. He also gained a broad perspective and appreciation for different aspects of American history and culture.

Conan O’Brien’s college journey is an inspiring example for students who want to pursue a career in comedy or entertainment. He shows that it is possible to combine academic excellence with artistic passion. He also shows that it is important to be resilient, adaptable, and courageous in the face of challenges and changes. He also shows that it is important to have fun, be yourself, and enjoy what you do.

We hope you enjoyed this article about where Conan O’Brien went to college. If you want to learn more about other famous people and their college journeys, stay tuned for our next article. And remember, no matter what your dreams are, you can achieve them with hard work, dedication, and a sense of humor.