Conan O’Brien’s Family Life and Career: Rare Glimpses Into His World
Comedian and late-night legend Conan O’Brien has always kept his family life relatively private, but rare photos and heartfelt anecdotes have offered fans a glimpse into his world as a devoted husband and father. Married to writer Liza Powel O’Brien since 2002, the couple shares two children: daughter Neve, 21, and son Beckett, 18.
Conan has often joked about his family in interviews and on social media, but he’s also been intentional about shielding his children from the spotlight. In a rare interview, he once shared his approach to balancing his public persona with his private life, emphasizing the importance of giving his kids a sense of normalcy.
A Storied Career in Comedy
Conan’s journey to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in late-night television wasn’t without its challenges. After starting his career as a writer for HBO’s Not Necessarily the News and Saturday Night Live, he faced a career crossroads when a comedy pilot he developed, Lookwell, starring Adam West, failed to take off.
Feeling burned out after nearly four years at SNL, Conan left without a clear plan. However, his career took a pivotal turn when he joined The Simpsons as a writer and producer. Shortly after, SNL creator Lorne Michaels offered him the opportunity to host Late Night with Conan O’Brien, a role that would define his career for 18 seasons.
Preparing for the Oscars: A New Challenge
Conan is now gearing up to host the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, 2025. Known for his meticulous preparation, he humorously compared his pre-show routine to training for a marathon. “I’ll probably be on the floor in my tuxedo, stretching,” he joked in a recent interview.
For Conan, hosting the Oscars is more than just a high-profile gig—it’s a celebration of the film industry. Months of preparation, including watching all 35 nominated films and refining his jokes, will culminate in what he promises will be a night filled with humor and heart.
And, of course, his iconic hairstyle will remain intact. “If I walk out there with floppy bangs, I think you’re going to see the stock market crash,” he quipped. Backstage essentials include hair products, Coke Zero for caffeine, and protein bars for energy.
A Supportive Family Behind the Scenes
Conan’s decision to take on the Oscars hosting gig was met with full support from his wife, Liza. The two first met when Liza appeared as a guest on Late Night with Conan O’Brien. They married in January 2002 at St. James Cathedral, with the ceremony officiated by Conan’s longtime friend and former Harvard roommate, Rev. Paul O’Brien.
Liza was quick to encourage Conan to accept the Oscars hosting role, joking that her enthusiasm might have been tied to securing an invite to the Vanity Fair after-party. “But no, she thought, ‘You should go and do that!’” Conan shared.
Raising Neve and Beckett
Conan and Liza welcomed their daughter, Neve, in October 2003, followed by their son, Beckett, in November 2005. As the kids grew, their interests began to take shape. In a 2014 interview, Conan revealed that Neve, then 10, aspired to be a singer, while Beckett, 8, showed a keen interest in computers, earning him the nickname “mini Steve Jobs.”
Now 21, Neve is studying history at Yale University and has realized part of her childhood dream by performing with Tangled Up In Blue, Yale’s premier American folk singing group. She also shares a close bond with her dad, even taking him to Coachella, where she introduced him to new music and helped him navigate the festival.
As Conan continues to make audiences laugh, his family remains his anchor, providing love, support, and the occasional dose of reality—like teaching him how to survive a music festival.
