If you’ve spent any time watching Conan O'Brien over the last three decades, you know the man is a chaotic force of nature. He’s the lanky, self-deprecating king of late-night who once drove a Taurus SHO and currently obsesses over historical minutiae on his podcast. But behind the towering pompadour and the "string dance" is a remarkably stable home life that feels almost out of place in the revolving door of Hollywood marriages.
So, who is Conan O'Brien married to?
The answer is Liza Powel O'Brien. They’ve been together for over twenty years, which is basically a century in "celebrity years." Honestly, their origin story sounds like something out of a romantic comedy, mostly because it was actually captured on film.
The 2000 "Meet-Cute" That Was Literally Televised
Back in 2000, Conan was hosting Late Night on NBC. He did a remote segment—those bits where he leaves the studio to go annoy regular people—at an advertising agency called Foote, Cone & Belding. The goal was to help a local furniture store create a better commercial.
Liza was a senior copywriter at the agency.
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During the segment, Conan is seen interacting with a group of advertisers. If you watch the footage now, it’s kinda glaring. He isn't his usual "on" self. He's subdued. He’s staring. He later told Michelle Obama on her podcast that it was love at first sight. He basically said that somewhere in the NBC vaults, there is footage of him literally falling for his wife on camera.
He didn't just find her beautiful; he was struck by how intelligent and funny she was. They ended up talking for 20 minutes after the cameras stopped rolling. Liza even joked later that she told him, on their very first date, that her gynecologist said she needed to start having kids soon if she wanted them. Most guys would’ve bolted. Conan? He was all in.
Who is Liza Powel O'Brien?
Liza isn't just "the wife of a famous guy." She’s a powerhouse in her own right with a background that rivals Conan’s own Harvard pedigree.
- Education: She graduated from Vassar College and then went on to earn an MFA in Fiction Writing from Columbia University.
- Career: Before the ad agency, she was working her way up as a writer. Today, she is a professional playwright. She’s written over a dozen plays, including The Great Experiment and Lucky.
- Podcasting: She recently stepped into the Team Coco spotlight with her own podcast, Significant Others. It’s a nonfiction show that explores the lives of people who lived in the shadows of famous historical figures. It’s smart, well-researched, and proves she’s just as much of a history nerd as her husband.
They got married in January 2002 in her hometown of Seattle. It was a rainy day (obviously), and the ceremony was held at St. James Cathedral. Fun fact: Lisa Kudrow was there, and one of Conan’s old Harvard roommates officiated.
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Life as the "Patient" Wife
Conan is the first to admit he’s a lot to handle. He’s loud, high-energy, and constantly performing. He’s described Liza as the "perfect person" for him because she’s grounded and unimpressed by his celebrity status.
During the messy "Late Night Wars" of 2010—when NBC famously ousted Conan from The Tonight Show—Liza was the one holding things together. She watched his heart get broken in real-time and helped him navigate the transition to TBS and eventually to his current podcasting empire. She’s the one who kept him from spiraling when the "definition of cultural relevancy" shifted overnight.
The O'Brien Kids: Neve and Beckett
The couple has two children who are now mostly grown up. Their daughter, Neve, was born in 2003, and their son, Beckett, arrived in 2005.
Conan is famously protective of them. You won't see them on a reality show or plastered across every tabloid. He once said he doesn't take his kids to premieres because he doesn't want them living in a "zero-gravity environment."
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Neve is currently a student at Yale University (class of 2026), where she’s a history major and an illustrator for the Yale Daily News. Beckett, according to Conan, is a bit of a tech whiz—sorta like a "little Steve Jobs." When Conan accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in March 2025, he thanked his "perpetually unimpressed" children, noting that they honestly don't get the hype around him.
Why Their Marriage Actually Works
In a world of "starter marriages," the O'Briens seem to have figured it out. It helps that Liza has her own identity and career. She’s not just a fixture on his arm at red carpets; she’s often busy at the Ojai Playwrights Conference or working on her next script.
They share a similar sense of humor—dry, intellectual, and a bit cynical. Conan frequently makes "my wife hates me" jokes on his podcast, but it’s always clear that she’s his best friend. He’s stated multiple times that he’s happier now, in his 60s, than he ever was during the peak of his TV fame, largely because of the stability of his family.
Quick Facts About Liza Powel O'Brien
- Age: 54 (as of late 2024/early 2025).
- Hometown: Seattle, Washington.
- Notable Plays: The Distinguished Gentleman, Apostrophe, and Ruthie Goes Shopping.
- Podcast: Significant Others (available on the Team Coco network).
If you want to get a real sense of their dynamic, listen to the episode of Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend where he interviews her. It’s less of a formal interview and more like eavesdropping on a couple that has been finishing each other's sentences for two decades.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you're interested in Liza's work beyond being Conan's spouse, check out her podcast Significant Others. It’s a great deep dive into history that features voice acting from people like Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally. You can also look for her plays if you're in the Los Angeles area, as she frequently works with theaters like The Geffen Playhouse.