David Letterman recently opened up about his journey from being a famous talk show host to seeking a more meaningful life after stepping away from the spotlight. The 77-year-old retired from The Late Show with David Letterman in 2015, after 22 years of hosting. Since then, he’s traded in his glamorous lifestyle for a quieter, more reflective existence in his hometown of Indiana.
Letterman shared that, while he left his small town in his early 20s to chase his dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian in Hollywood, he eventually made it big. However, he admits that the entertainment industry shaped him into someone he didn’t entirely like. In an interview with GQ, Letterman reflected on how, during his time in show business, he often felt like he was pretending to be someone he wasn’t. He acknowledged that his life in Indiana, surrounded by his family, is where he feels more authentic. “In my life here in Indiana and at my home with my family, I am probably the person I actually am,” he said, noting the contrast with his past.
When asked if he felt glad to be out of show business because it made him a worse person, Letterman explained that, while he does feel that way, he recognizes that his time in entertainment was a necessary experience. “I would have never reached a point in my life where I would want to concentrate on being a better person if I had skipped the exercise of trying to succeed in showbiz,” he said. Essentially, his time in Hollywood helped him learn and grow, even if it wasn’t always a smooth journey.
As for whether he’s happier living in Indiana, Letterman admitted that for three decades, his life revolved entirely around the one hour of TV he was responsible for every night. During that time, he wasn’t fully aware of how other parts of his life might have been affected. Now, with more perspective, he feels grateful for the ability to recognize that life has many other fulfilling pursuits beyond television.
Addressing the idea of retirement, Letterman dismissed it as a myth. He believes that the human drive doesn’t allow anyone to truly retire. Even though he’s stepped away from his late-night show, Letterman remains active, continuing his work on My Next Guest Needs No Introduction for Netflix. The 2024 episodes of his show feature notable conversations with celebrities like Miley Cyrus, John Mulaney, and Charles Barkley. For Letterman, retirement is less about stopping and more about focusing on what truly matters.