Today, 78 years ago, on April 12, 1947 (Calendar 1947 and February 21), American talk show host David Letterman was born. David Michael Letterman (David Michael Letterman, April 12, 1947) was an American talk show host, comedian, television producer. Letterman's ironic absurd comedy was influenced by comedians such as Steve Allen, Ernie Kovacs, and Johnny Carson. Letterman was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. His father, Harry Joy Leatherman (Harry Joe Letterman), was a flower man, died in 1974. His mother, Dorothy, was a library and his secretary also started a regular exhibition. He graduated from the University of Manhattan with a sister-in-law, St. Paul Walker (1969), who graduated from the University of Manhattan.