Net Worth Of Conan O’Brien, The Simpsons Era, The Tonight Show and NBC Settlement
Conan O’Brien, the renowned American television host, writer, producer, and comedian, commands a net worth of $200 million. His illustrious career spans nearly three decades of late-night comedy talk shows, including his tenure at NBC (1993-2010) and TBS (2010-2020). During his TBS years, O’Brien earned an impressive $12 million annually. His recent venture into podcasting proved extraordinarily successful, culminating in a $150 million sale of his podcasting network to SiriusXM in May 2022. In 2024, O’Brien launched “Conan O’Brien Must Go,” a travel show on Max.
Early Life and Education
Born Conan Christopher O’Brien on April 18, 1963, in Brookline, Massachusetts, he comes from an accomplished family. His father serves as a physician and Harvard Medical School professor, while his mother worked as an attorney and partner at Boston’s Ropes & Gray. Growing up with three brothers and two sisters, O’Brien excelled academically, graduating as valedictorian from Brookline High School in 1981. He continued his academic journey at Harvard University, studying History and Literature while writing for the “Harvard Lampoon,” graduating in 1985.
Saturday Night Live Journey
Post-Harvard, O’Brien relocated to Los Angeles, joining HBO’s “Not Necessarily the News” writing team while performing with the Groundlings. His career took a significant turn when he joined “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) in January 1988. During his three-year stint, he and his fellow writers earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy or Variety Series in 1989. He occasionally appeared in SNL sketches and co-wrote the “Lookwell” pilot with Robert Smigel, though NBC didn’t pick up the series.
The Simpsons Era
From 1991 to 1993, O’Brien worked as a writer and producer for “The Simpsons,” crafting some of the show’s most memorable episodes, including “Marge vs. the Monorail” and “Homer Goes to College.”
Late Night Television Career
When David Letterman prepared to leave his late-night show, Lorne Michaels selected O’Brien as the new host. “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” debuted on September 13, 1993. Despite initial struggles, including poor critical reception and audience attendance issues, the show gradually gained popularity. By 2005, it consistently attracted 2.5 million viewers. The show’s writing team received numerous Emmy nominations and won in 2007.
The Tonight Show and NBC Settlement
O’Brien’s seven-month stint as “The Tonight Show” host ended in controversy, leading to a $32.5 million settlement from NBC, plus $12 million for his staff. Following this, he embarked on “The Legally Prohibited From Being Funny on Television Tour” before launching his TBS show.
TBS Success and Team Coco
“Conan” premiered on TBS in November 2010, earning O’Brien $10 million annually through June 2021. The show featured groundbreaking moments, including being the first American TV personality to film in Cuba in over fifty years.
Podcasting Empire and SiriusXM Deal
Through Team Coco, O’Brien launched “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,” which became hugely successful, garnering 16 million monthly downloads. The podcast network’s success led to its $150 million acquisition by SiriusXM in 2022, including a 5-year talent contract.
Personal Life
O’Brien met Elizabeth Ann “Liza” Powel in 2000 during a “Late Night” skit featuring her advertising firm. They married in Seattle in 2002 and have two children: Neve (born 2003) and Beckett (born 2005).
Assets
O’Brien’s property portfolio has included several notable properties:
- A Central Park-facing duplex in New York sold for $25 million to Warner Brothers Discovery CEO David Zaslav
- A $10.75 million Brentwood home, sold in 2012 for $9.25 million
- A $19.4 million Pacific Palisades mansion purchased in 2011
- A Carpinteria beachfront home was bought for $7.9 million in 2015 and sold in October 2022 for $16.5 million, neighboring celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres, George Lucas, and Steven Spielberg
