On December 7, 2024, Conan O’Brien and Stephen Colbert appeared at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark for Montclair Film’s annual benefit. The event, which sold out, featured a conversation between O’Brien, 62, and Colbert, 61. They discussed their careers, challenges, and experiences in the entertainment industry.
Conan O’Brien ended his late-night television career in 2021 after 28 years. He now hosts the travel series ‘Conan O’Brien Must Go’ on HBO Max, produces the podcast ‘Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend,’ and has taken on acting roles. In 2024, O’Brien received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and was inducted into the Television Academy Hall of Fame. He is scheduled to host the Oscars again in March 2025. A series he produced, ‘The Beast in Me,’ has received Golden Globe nominations.
At the benefit, O’Brien spoke about times in his career when he thought his opportunities had ended. He said that persistence often led to new roles and encouraged younger people to remain resilient, even when facing setbacks…