Lost his virginity at age 18

Guest hosted "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" (1962) 51 times.

On his shows he has mentioned to both Gene Siskel and Martin Scorsese that his favorite movie is Sergio Leone's C'era una volta il West (1968).

Funds a scholarship at Ball State University (his alma mater, class of 1969).

Multi-purpose names he uses for any man: "Larry," "Kenny," and "Rodney". Multi-purpose names for women: "Linda".

Owns vacation home on St. Bart's.

While working as a weatherman in Indianapolis, he once congratulated a tropical storm for being upgraded to a hurricane.

Nicknames for Paul Shaffer include "Johnny Carwash", "Wayne 'Fatboy' Ewing" and "Paul W. Shaffer."

He went to college with Jim Davis, another Indiana native who created and still writes the world famous comic strip "Garfield."

Early in his television career, Dave did some ring announcing work for an Indianapolis wrestling promotion run by Dick the Bruiser (Dick Afflis). Years later on NBC, Dave nicknamed his band "The World's Most Dangerous Band", based on Dick the Bruiser's nickname of "The World's Most Dangerous Wrestler".

Hero is Johnny Carson.

Sister Gretchen is journalist, editor of St. Petersburg Times (FL) Lifestyles section.

Owns a ranch just outside of Choteau, Montana.

Girlfriend, Regina Lasko, gave birth to son, Harry Joseph, on 3 November 2003, named after David's father who passed away when he was 57 years old

Had a relationship with Merrill Markoe.

His previous production companies include 'Space Age Meat' and 'Cardboard Shoe Productions'.

He once hosted a game show pilot called The Riddlers (1977) (TV). Its celebrity guests were Joyce Bulifant, Michael McKean, Debralee Scott, Robert Urich and Jo Anne Worley. (The pilot was shown on the Game Show Network on 28 October 2000.).

Before his heart bypass surgery, he had not missed a day due to illness in his 18 years of late-night.

Enthusiast of Coen Brothers' films.

Says he never uses the same tie twice in his show.

Was a resident of New Canaan, Connecticut, but moved to Westchester County, New York, around 2001.

Allegedly, he will not stay for longer than five minutes for an on-location cameo appearance in any given film, which may be why Letterman doesn't really "appear" on stage with Jim Carrey and Jerry Lawler in Man on the Moon (1999), but rather is a special-effects image, like a cut-and-paste.

Auditioned for the role of Ted Stryker in Airplane! (1980).

At one time was a part owner of the Seattle Mariners, courtesy of then-owner, Jeff Smulyan, as he gave Letterman shares of his company, Emmis Communications, which included the Mariners (Letterman was given about 1%).

Born at 6:00am-CST.

Just won as a car owner in the Indy 500 (5-30-04) with co-owner Bobby Rahal and winner Buddy Rice.

Had a running gag with Indianapolis radio station WNAP during the 1970s. He would telephone in comedic "reports", allegedly from the Indiana State Fair, using the name Moferd Pardo.

Engaged to Regina Lasko.

His father, Joe Letterman, was a florist who died of a heart attack in 1973. Mother Dorothy remarried in 1983 to Hans Mengering.

Worked as a grocery bagger in Indianapolis in high school.

He often does an in-joke that only his studio audience will understand. This is done by speaking with the audience before taping begins and finding out where people are from, what they do, etc. During the opening monologue, he will then make a reference to one of the audience members.

Once petitioned to get a highway in his hometown named "the Dave Letterman Bypass" as a reference to his heart bypass surgery. Businesses in Indianapolis referred to the highway as "The Dave" for a short time.

Was a writer on the 1970s comedy series "Good Times" (1974), as was his current late night talk show competitor Jay Leno.

Has an older sister named Janice and a younger sister named Gretchen.

In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his earnings for the year at $40 million.

Is portrayed by John Michael Higgins in The Late Shift (1996) (TV).

In February 2003, an emergency group of guest hosts had to be called to fill in on the "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993), when Letterman was suddenly debilitated with a bout of shingles.

Underwent quintuple bypass surgery on 14 January 2000.

He was frequently a celebrity guest on TV game shows of the 1970s, among them "The $10,000 Pyramid" (1973), "The Gong Show" (1976), and "Liar's Club" (1976).

Is part owner of Team Rahal auto racing team (majority owner Bobby Rahal, 1986 Indianapolis 500 champion).

Life Loyal Member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

Named one of People Magazine's "25 Most Intriguing People of 2001".

2003 was the 19th year in a row that his show, be it "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) (CBS) or "Late Night with David Letterman" (1982) (NBC) received an Emmy nomination for writing on a variety series.

Has mentioned on the "Late Show with David Letterman" (1993) that his favorite song is The Spinners's "I'll Be Around (Whenever You Want Me)." On the July 27, 2006 broadcast, The Spinners appeared on the show, playing "I'll Be Around" with Paul Shaffer and the CBS Orchestra.

His production company is called Worldwide Pants.

Pencils used at his talk show desk have erasers at both ends. This is so no one is injured when he throws them.

Attended Broad Ripple High School. Was voted Class Smart Alec.