Conan O’Brien

O’Brien in 2013, photo by kathclick/bigstock.com

Birth Name: Conan Christopher O’Brien

Place of Birth: Brookline, Massachusetts, U.S.

Date of Birth: April 18, 1963

Ethnicity: Irish

Conan O’Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, podcaster, and producer. He was the host of the shows Late Night with Conan O’Brien, from 1993 to 2009, The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien, from 2009 to 2010, and Conan, from 2010 to 2021.

Conan is the son of Ruth M. (Reardon), an attorney, and Thomas Francis O’Brien, a physician, epidemiologist, and professor of medicine. Conan has said that he is of entirely Irish descent. He has also stated (at 2:17):

I had genetic testing done… Lisa Kudrow got me to do it ’cause she has that show [Who Do You Think You Are?]… [and I am] 99.8 percent Irish… I think I’m more Irish than people living in Ireland.

Conan is married to Elizabeth Ann Powel, with whom he has two children. Through marriage, he is a distant cousin of comedian and actor Denis Leary.

Conan’s paternal grandfather was named Thomas Francis O’Brien. Thomas was born in Massachusetts, to Irish parents, with his father being from Dungarvan, Waterford, Munster.

Conan’s paternal grandmother was named Esther M. Esther was born in Massachusetts, to an Irish father and a Massachusetts-born mother.

Conan’s maternal grandfather was James Francis Reardon (the son of Patrick J. Reardon and Margaret Joyce Marshall). Conan’s grandfather James was born in Massachusetts. Patrick was born in Kilcummin, Kerry, Ireland, the son of John Reardon and Margaret Daley. Conan’s great-grandmother Margaret was born in Castleisland, Kerry, Ireland, the daughter of John Marshall and Mary Connor.

Conan’s maternal grandmother was Ruth Frances Powers (the daughter of Edward B. Powers and Mary E. Gavin). Ruth was born in Massachusetts. Conan’s great-grandfather Edward was born in New York. Mary was born in Massachusetts, the daughter of Irish parents, James Gavin and Bridget.

Sources: Genealogies of Conan O’Brien – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com
http://www.geni.com
http://freepages.rootsweb.com