Who were Conan O’Brien’s parents? Comedian opens up about coping with loss after parents’ death

Comedian Conan O’Brien, known for his late-night comedy shows, has recently suffered a personal loss. His parents, Dr. Thomas O’Brien and Ruth Reardon O’Brien died three days apart in December 2024. Conan has spoken about the deep impact they had on his life and career.

Dr. Thomas O’Brien, 95, was a well-known physician and one of the early experts in the research of antimicrobial drug resistance. He was born and raised in Worcester County, Massachusetts, and graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and Harvard Medical School.

Thomas O’Brien was the first director of the infectious diseases division at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and had been an associate professor at Harvard Medical School for more than six decades.

Conan O’Brien has credited his father for his introduction to classic comedy, which inspired him to follow a career in entertainment and comedy.

Equally accomplished, Ruth Reardon O’Brien, 92, made her mark in the legal field. Ruth graduated from Vassar College and Yale Law School, where she was one of just four women in her class. She was a law clerk on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and went on to work at the law firm Ropes & Gray, a leading firm, in Boston.

Thomas and Ruth O'Brien got married in 1958. They had six children together, including Conan, and raised all of them in Brookline. They were married for 66 years before their death.

Talking to People Magazine at the Sundance Film Festival, Conan O'Brien said he was processing the loss “a day at a time.” Even in his grief, Conan urged the importance of carrying on with life’s pursuits. He said:

"It's the time to be asking other people how they're doing, listening to them."

Conan O’Brien admitted that some of his current pursuits such as attending the Sundance Film Festival this week as the host of a film premiere or gearing up to host the Oscars, may seem “silly and trivial” based on his personal loss and the world's condition. But he stressed their importance, saying they are vital because they embody the resilience to keep moving forward. "We keep going. We keep making stuff,” he said.

Conan O’Brien Prepares to Make His Oscars Hosting Debut

The 97th Oscars will be hosted by Emmy-winning comedian and former late-night host Conan O’Brien marking his debut at the prestigious awards show, as announced on Saturday.

The Academy, alongside the Disney Television Group and the show’s producers hailed Conan O’Brien’s sharp wit, deep experience with live television, and the ability to unite with viewers. Academy CEO Bill Kramer said:

“He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, his love of movies and his live TV expertise."

The ceremony, which was previously hosted by Jimmy Kimmel for two straight years, is now set to premiere on March 2, 2025, at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.