For decades, David Letterman entertained us as the clean-shaven, wisecracking host of The Late Show. But when he bid farewell to the late-night television scene in 2015, he surprised everyone with a completely new look. Gone was the familiar face we knew, replaced by a thick, white beard that made him look a lot like Santa Claus.
Letterman’s final episode of The Late Show was a true reflection of his character. With grace and humor, he thanked his crew, guests, and fans who had supported him over the years. It wasn’t a grand finale, but a heartfelt celebration of the people who made the show what it was.
Like his predecessor Johnny Carson, Letterman had a unique ability to make every interview feel like a casual chat. He brought a level of comfort and genuine humor to late-night TV that was hard to match. So when he left the airwaves, late-night television felt a little less spontaneous, a little less raw.
But Letterman didn’t disappear entirely. When he resurfaced, he did so with a look that took everyone by surprise. The clean-shaven face and perfectly styled hair were replaced by a scruffy, snowy white beard. It was as if he had transformed into a sage-like figure.
Today, if you were to see David Letterman on the street or out for a jog, you might not even recognize him. His beard, along with his aging, has created a completely different image from the one we saw on television for decades.
This isn’t the first time Letterman has shocked us with his facial hair. During the Writers Guild of America strike in 2007-2008, he grew a “strike beard” in solidarity with the strikers. But that beard was nothing compared to the one he sports now.
When asked about his beard, Letterman explained that he was simply “sick and tired of shaving” after all those years on TV. And while some may joke that he looks like Santa Claus or a retired sea captain, the beard represents something deeper for him. It’s a symbol of freedom, of letting go of the expectations that came with his appearance on television.
Not everyone is a fan of his new look, though. Even his wife and son are not fans of the beard. But Letterman finds some enjoyment in the reaction it elicits. The more people tell him to shave, the less likely he is to do it.
At 76, with his striking beard and laid-back demeanor, David Letterman looks like a man who’s finally living life on his own terms. He appears fit and full of wisdom, gained through time, success, and maybe a few mistakes along the way. The transformation may have surprised us, but it’s a reminder that change can come at any age.
