Late Night with Conan O’Brien

American television program

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Maron

In Marc Maron
…than 30 appearances, one of Late Night with Conan O’Brien’s most-prolific guests. In 2004 he began his tempestuous tenure on left-leaning Air America Radio (AAR), from which he was fired and rehired twice. In 2009 Maron—in the midst of a divorce and struggling in his career, which was hindered by…
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Michaels

In Lorne Michaels
…programs, including the talk shows Late Night with Conan O’Brien (1993–2009), Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009–14), The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014– ), and the series 30 Rock (2006–13) and Portlandia (2011–18). Among his later shows were A.P. Bio (2018–21) and Miracle Workers (2019– ). His
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O’Brien

In Conan O’Brien
…known as the host of Late Night with Conan O’Brien (1993–2009), The Tonight Show (2009–10), and Conan (2010–21).
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Lorne Michaels

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Lorne Michaels

American writer and producer

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Mar 28, 2025 • Article History

Quick Facts

Original name:: Lorne David Lipowitz or Lorne Michael Lipowitz

Born:: November 17, 1944, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (age 80)

Awards And Honors:: Emmy Award; Kennedy Center Honors (2021); Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016)

On the Web:: Horatio Alger Association - Lorne Michaels (Mar. 28, 2025)

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News •

Bowen Yang Wants Lorne Michaels to Recast J.D. Vance on ‘SNL’: “Please Don’t Make Me Do This” • Apr. 12, 2025, 5:40 AM ET (The Hollywood Reporter)

Sky announces ‘star-studded’ UK version of Saturday Night Live • Apr. 10, 2025, 8:27 AM ET (The Guardian)

Lorne Michaels (born November 17, 1944, Toronto, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian-born American writer and producer best known for his work on the television program Saturday Night Live.

Sources differ on Michaels’s original middle name, and some state that he was born on a kibbutz in British Palestine. Regardless, he grew up in Toronto and graduated from the University of Toronto in 1966. Michaels began his career as a television writer for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation before moving to Los Angeles in 1968.

In 1975 Michaels cocreated (with Dick Ebersol) the hit late-night sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL), which featured many up-and-coming comedians and was widely considered a landmark in American television. Michaels wrote for the show in addition to serving as its executive producer (1975–80, 1985– ). He also produced other television programs, including the talk shows Late Night with Conan O’Brien (1993–2009), Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (2009–14), The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014– ), and the series 30 Rock (2006–13) and Portlandia (2011–18). Among his later shows were A.P. Bio (2018–21) and Miracle Workers (2019– ). His film-producing credits included Wayne’s World (1992), Tommy Boy (1995), Mean Girls (2004), Baby Mama (2008), and Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016). Many of the projects Michaels produced involved former SNL comedians.

The recipient of numerous Emmy Awards, Michaels was also awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2004) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016). In 2021 he received a Kennedy Center Honor.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Encyclopaedia Britannica.