David Letterman

After stints as a weatherman, news anchor and standup comic, this sarcastic gap-toothed performer came to prominence in the '80s with his eponymous late-night talk show on NBC. His offbeat signature bits ("Tonight's Top 10," "Stupid Pet Tricks"), surly attitude and frequent send-ups of the entertainment industry made him a hit with critics and viewers. When NBC failed to give Letterman The Tonight Show after Johnny Carson retired, the disgruntled host jumped to CBS in 1993. Although Letterman's shtick has mellowed over the years, he is still fanatically secretive about his private life. His long-term relationship with collaborator Merrill Markoe ended in 1987, and at age 56 he had a son with girlfriend Regina Lasko.