When did Conan O'Brien's parents die? Actor says there was an unexpected "double funeral"

Actor and TV host Conan O'Brien opened up about the grief of losing his parents in a recent interview with Today on May 14, 2025. Conversing with Jacob Soboroff, he looked back on his journey in the industry. However, in December 2024, he lost both his parents within three days.

During that time, LA’s Palisades fire created havoc while he prepared to host the 2025 Oscars. He said:

“I get a lot of solace out of being in a writer’s room. So, in a way, it was good therapy. I wish my parents had been able to see the Oscars but they got to see a lot.”

His father, Dr. Thomas O'Brien, died on December 9, 2024, at 95 years old. Meanwhile, Conan O'Brien’s mother, Ruth Reardon O'Brien, breathed her last on December 12, 2024, at 92. His parents married in 1958. Speaking of his father to Today in December 2024, he said:

“He was often the funniest guy in the room. And when he would laugh, his whole body would convulse and he would almost hug himself.”

Conan O'Brien explained that while he was in Austria, he got a call from his brother informing him that their father had died. He quickly traveled back to Boston.

When he arrived, he found his father’s bed empty and realized his mother, who was beside him, was also close to passing. She died three days later. What was supposed to be one funeral turned into a double funeral, and organizing it brought a wave of emotions.

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Conan O'Brien said he was fortunate that his house survived the fires

After the funeral, Christmas came, and once it was over, he had to shift focus to preparing for the Oscars with little time. However, the wildfires forced his family to evacuate and live in a hotel. Their home narrowly escaped the damage, with the fire reaching the edge of their backyard.

Conan O'Brien felt fortunate that their home survived the wildfire, especially since many others weren't as lucky. Even though it was a tough time living in a hotel while preparing for the Oscars, he had to stay focused on getting the job done.

He found strength in knowing that his parents had experienced so much in life, and that gave him comfort and confidence, believing they were with him in spirit. Speaking of his work, he said:

“I think I have something in me that’s kind of insatiable and I like to make people laugh. I get a lot of joy out of making people laugh and when we wrap this up and get coffee next door, I can make the person at the counter laugh.”

Conan O'Brien talked about how his mother raised six children and was a wonderful parent. Once the kids were older, she returned to work and became a successful estate tax attorney in Boston.

She had a strong career and was among the early women to attend Yale Law School. After her demise, many women approached Conan O'Brien to share how his mother had mentored and inspired them to believe they could succeed in the legal profession. He also mentioned that both his parents came from modest beginnings.