With over 30 years on the late-night circuit, here’s a look at the biggest moments from Dave’s career.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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4. Bill Murray
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!
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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.
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6. Farrah Fawcett
Farrah Fawcett had tongues wagging when she appeared on the show in 1997. She was just so . . . well, out of it.
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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.
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8. On a Serious Note
In September 2001, CBS newsman Dan Rather came on the show to talk about 9/11. Rather cried.
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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.
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10. Stupid Pet Tricks
What would Dave’s legacy be without a mention of his Stupid Pet Tricks segment?