Late-night host David Letterman is highly recognized for his on-screen humor and memorable interviews, but behind the scenes, he’s a proud dad. David is the father of one son, Harry Letterman, born in 2003. Fans know the “Late Show” star’s face by heart, but who is Harry? Here are five fast facts you need to know about the famous host’s only child.
Most birth announcements come in the form of phone calls, social media posts, or sweet notes in the mail. However, Harry Letterman’s birth announcement was broadcast nationwide. On November 4th, 2003, David lightheartedly shared Harry’s birth story and photos from the big event with his audience. “I named him after my father,” David explained. “My father passed away when he was 57. I’m 56 years old, and yesterday I had my first child, so I named him for my father.” The host looked overjoyed as he held up a photo of himself holding his newborn son.
While some celebrities thrust their children into the spotlight at a young age, others value keeping their kids’ lives private. That has definitely been the case for David Letterman, who has largely kept his son out of the public eye over the years. Although he has occasionally appeared with his parents at events, fans have rarely caught a glimpse of the young man. Instead, viewers mostly learned about Harry through on-air anecdotes that David has shared. Among the most beloved is a 2010 segment in which the host hilariously describes blowing up balloons for his then-seven-year-old… only for them to float away.
David and his wife, Regina Lasko, were already a well-established couple by the time Harry was born in 2003. However, the pair weren’t married at the time, and their young son attended their wedding a few years later. As Extra reported in 2009, Letterman discussed his low-key ceremony with Julia Roberts on air, and Harry’s part in the event was a highlight. However, David admitted that the youngster didn’t quite grasp the purpose of the wedding. “Well, he thought I was getting my driver’s license renewed,” the host quipped.
From the very first time David Letterman discussed Harry on “The Late Show,” it was clear that he deeply loved his son. In 2019, the host opened up to People about his relationship with Harry, who was 16 at the time. “Look at me — how much longer am I going to be around?” a 72-year-old Letterman said at the time. “I want to be the best friend.” Although he did admit that he had to compete for his teen’s attention a bit more than he did when the boy was a youngster, David made it clear that they have a very solid, heartwarming connection. “The most secure I ever feel is when I’m around my son,” he said.
In 2022, Harry embarked on a huge new step in life. As David Letterman shared with Jimmy Kimmel, the young man headed off to college. “They tell me he’s in college,” Letterman quipped. “It’s devastating. Am I the only one who feels that way?” The host said of seeing his son leave the nest. He described moving his son into his college dorm, complete with plenty of hilarious anecdotes. Although Letterman didn’t share his son’s school of choice in the interview, it’s clear that he and Harry have remained close.
