David Letterman, the 77-year-old former host of the Late Show with David Letterman, reflects on life after leaving his late-night gig in 2015. In a recent interview with GQ, Letterman discussed his return to his roots in Indiana, his evolving perspective on show business, and his continued work in the entertainment industry.
Letterman admitted that the entertainment industry pressured him to be someone he wasn’t. “In show business, I find that I have pretended to be someone I’m truly not,” he confessed to GQ. He contrasted this with his life in Indiana with his family, where he feels he can be his authentic self. This disconnect between his public persona and his private life is something he regrets.
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The legendary TV host candidly discussed the demanding nature of his 30-year career in late-night television. He acknowledged the intense pressure he felt and how it consumed his life. He believes his experiences in the industry ultimately shaped him into a better person. “I just feel like personally, I have greater humanity than I did when I was in show business,” he stated.
Letterman openly admitted to GQ that leaving show business was a positive decision because the industry was making him a “worse person.” He explained that escaping the pressures of show business allowed him to focus on personal growth and discover a broader perspective on life. “It was all single-minded and great pressure, real unimagined, and I felt like it’s all on me, and it’s all on me, and that it was all nonsense,” he reflected.
Since departing from the Late Show, Letterman has embraced a different lifestyle, finding fulfillment outside of the constant demands of Hollywood. He revealed to GQ that his previous focus solely on his one-hour television show was all-consuming. Now, he has the energy to explore other pursuits and appreciate different aspects of life. “Everything fell apart, went away. I didn’t even know if it was falling apart or not. And now I have the energy and the broader focus to recognize humanity has other fulfilling pursuits,” Letterman shared.
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Despite leaving his late-night show, Letterman hasn’t fully retired. He continues to work on projects like Netflix’s My Next Guest Needs No Introduction, where he has interviewed prominent figures such as John Mulaney, Miley Cyrus, and Charles Barkley in 2024. He firmly believes that retirement is a myth, stating, “Retirement is a myth. Retirement is nonsense. You won’t retire. The human mechanism will not allow you to retire.” This sentiment highlights Letterman’s ongoing passion for engaging in meaningful work.
