TV

David Letterman’s top 10 most memorable moments

With over 30 years on the late-night circuit, here’s a look at the biggest moments from Dave’s career.

  1. 1. Joaquin Phoenix

    In 2009, a very weird Joaquin Phoenix came on the show and told Dave he was giving up acting for a career in rap. Guess what? It was an act! The trickster returned to the show a year later to apologize.

  2. 2. Drew Barrymore

    An exuberant and uninhibited Drew Barrymore paid Dave a visit in 1995 and gave him a birthday present he would not forget — she flashed him!

  3. 3. Quintuple Bypass

    After returning to work in 2000 following a quintuple bypass, Dave brought on the New York Presbyterian Hospital surgical team, headed by Dr. O. Wayne Isom, to thank them. His most human moment.

  4. 4. Bill Murray

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    Bill Murray was one of Letterman’s first guests on CBS in 1993. He celebrated by scrawling graffiti on the host’s new desk. Those crazy guys!

  5. 5. Affair Apology

    Dave’s personal life made headlines in 2009, when some affairs with female staffers came to light. He did the right thing and apologized on air.

  6. 6. Farrah Fawcett

    Farrah Fawcett had tongues wagging when she appeared on the show in 1997. She was just so . . . well, out of it.

  7. 7. Moore for Dave

    Dave took in Demi Moore’s rear view as the scantily clad “G.I. Jane” star read the Top 10 list in 1995.

  8. 8. On a Serious Note

    In September 2001, CBS newsman Dan Rather came on the show to talk about 9/11. Rather cried.

  9. 9. Madonna

    The CBS censors had a busy night when Madonna visited “The Late Show” in 1994. She dropped the F-bomb so many times that it was the most censored segment in talk-show history.

  10. 10. Stupid Pet Tricks

    What would Dave’s legacy be without a mention of his Stupid Pet Tricks segment?