David Letterman at 77 says retirement is both myth and nonsense.
David Letterman may have stepped away from late-night television, but he’s far from done with work. In a recent interview with GQ, the legendary host reflected on his career and shared his thoughts on the idea of retirement, making it clear that stepping back isn’t in his plans.
Retirement is a myth, Letterman said when asked if he considers himself semi-retired. Retirement is nonsense. You won’t retire. The human mechanism will not allow you to retire.
When the journalist noted that many people do, in fact, retire, Letterman responded with his trademark wit. But what do they do? Sit there and wait for, give me the name of a show, ‘Judge Judy’ to come on
He explained that as long as one remains healthy, the drive to create and contribute persists. As long as you are healthy, you still want to produce. And you will find ways to, he said. Reflecting on his own journey post-retirement from The Late Show in 2015, he admitted it took time to adjust. Once I stopped doing the show, it took me a couple of years to figure out that, oh, this is a completely different rhythm. And without the rhythm that you’re accustomed to, [life is] largely unsatisfying. So you have to find something that’s important to you.
Letterman has certainly found that something in his Netflix talk series, My Next Guest Needs No Introduction. Since its debut, the show has featured high-profile guests such as Barack Obama, Kim Kardashian, and Miley Cyrus. While it’s a departure from the nightly grind of late-night television, Letterman shared that he still finds fulfillment in the work.
I’m surprised that I’m still doing it at my age, he confessed. On the other hand, I still get a kick out of what we’re doing. So what does that mean? I don’t know.
Though he left The Late Show after an impressive 22-year run, Letterman has made occasional returns to the format. In 2023, he appeared as a guest on what is now The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, reconnecting with his old stomping ground.
At 76, Letterman remains an enduring figure in entertainment, proving that for some, the passion to create and connect doesn’t fade—it simply evolves.
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