Conan O'Brien's Surprising Origin Story Revealed

From stealing Robin's costume at Harvard to randomly changing a stranger's life on Twitter, here are 10 little-known facts about the comedian.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 10:03pm

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Conan O'Brien is one of the most familiar faces in TV history, but he's also full of surprises. This article uncovers 10 fascinating facts about the comedian's life and career, from his unexpected start in show business to the time he officiated a same-sex wedding on air.

Why it matters

Conan O'Brien has been entertaining audiences for decades, but many of the most interesting details about his life and rise to fame remain relatively unknown. This story provides a rare glimpse into the Harvard prankster, Simpsons writer, and late-night host's unconventional path to becoming one of the most beloved comedians of his generation.

The details

The article reveals that Conan O'Brien wasn't initially planning to be a performer, but was encouraged by his friend Lisa Kudrow to pursue comedy. It also details how he was twice elected president of the Harvard Lampoon, orchestrated a complex heist to steal Burt Ward's original Robin costume, and was nearly fired from his early days hosting Late Night on NBC. Additionally, the piece covers how Conan's appearance on The Tonight Show led to him accidentally getting the nickname "Coco" from Tom Hanks, and how he randomly chose to follow a stranger on Twitter who he then helped transform into an internet celebrity.

  • Conan O'Brien graduated from Harvard University in 1985.
  • Conan quit Saturday Night Live in 1991.
  • Late Night with Conan O'Brien premiered in 1993.
  • Conan became an ordained minister to perform a same-sex wedding on his show in 2010.
  • Conan hosted the Oscars in 2026.

The players

Conan O'Brien

An American comedian, television host, writer, and producer who is best known for hosting several late-night talk shows, including Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Tonight Show, and CONAN.

Lisa Kudrow

An American actress who is best known for playing Phoebe Buffay on the sitcom Friends. She was friends with Conan O'Brien before either of them became famous and encouraged him to pursue a career in comedy.

Burt Ward

An American actor best known for playing the role of Robin in the 1960s Batman television series. Conan O'Brien orchestrated a prank to steal Ward's original Robin costume while he was visiting Harvard University.

Tom Hanks

An American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks accidentally gave Conan O'Brien the nickname "Coco" during a guest appearance on The Tonight Show.

Sarah Killen

A fan of Conan O'Brien who he randomly chose to follow on Twitter, dramatically increasing her follower count and changing her life.

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What they’re saying

“I drafted off her confidence.”

— Conan O'Brien, Comedian

“If that catches on, I'll sue you.”

— Conan O'Brien, Comedian

“Please do not be cynical. I hate cynicism; it's my least favorite quality, it doesn't lead anywhere. If you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen.”

— Conan O'Brien

The takeaway

Conan O'Brien's unconventional path to becoming a beloved late-night host is a testament to the power of perseverance, kindness, and a willingness to take risks. His story shows that even the most familiar faces can be full of surprises, and that with hard work and a positive attitude, amazing things can happen.