Comedian David Letterman and actress Claire Danes are celebrating their birthdays today.
David Letterman, 67
Television host and comedian David Letterman turns 67 today. He began his career as a radio talk show host and at an Indianapolis television station as a weatherman and anchor. Letterman moved to Los Angeles in 1975. In 1977, he became a writer and regular on the CBS series, The Starland Vocal Band Show.
Letterman made guest appearances on Mork & Mindy, The $20,000 Pyramid, The Gong Show, and Password Plus. He made numerous appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. Letterman won two Emmy Awards for his 1980 morning comedy show on NBC entitled The David Letterman Show. after Johnny Carson retired, Letterman left NBC after they gave The Tonight Show spot to Jay Leno. He went to CBS to host the Late Show with David Letterman.
After undergoing heart surgery in 2000, as well as other health problems, Letterman handed the show over to a few guest hosts including Bill Cosby, Elvis Costello, Vince Vaughn, Luke Wilson, Adam Sandler, and others.
In April of 2014, Letterman announced that he will retire sometime next year, and CBS has chosen Stephen Colbert to take his place. Letterman is married to Regina Lasko and have one son.
Claire Danes, 35
Actress and producer Claire Danes turns 35 today. Danes began her career on television and appeared on Law & Order. In 1994, Danes played Angela Chase in the ABC drama My So-Called Life. She earned a Golden Globe win and an Emmy Nomination for her role.
Danes earned her first leading role in the film Romeo + Juliet. In 2000, she appeared on stage in the production The Vagina Monologues. Other theater work include Edith and Jenny and Pygmalion. After starring in films like The Rainmaker, Les Miserables, and Brokedown Palace, danes took a break from her career to attend Yale University. She returned to acting in 2002 with films like The Hours, Shopgirl, and The Family Stone.
Danes currently plays Carrie Mathison, a CIA agent suffering from bipolar disorder, in Showtime's Homeland. She is married to Hannibal's Hugh Dancy, and have one son.