Practice News Story 5: Obituary

NEW YORK - Conan Christopher O'Brien, 44, passed away yesterday due to a tragic accident which occurred during his night show "Late Night with Conan O'Brien".

O'Brien passed away from asphyxiation due to a boa constrictor on the set of NBC while filming on October 3, 2007. While handling the snake, it wrapped around his neck and suffocated him. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the New York University Medical Center.

Conan was born in Brookline Massachusetts on April 18, 1963 to Thomas and Ruth O’Brien. He attended Brookline High School and graduated in 1981. He also attended Harvard University and graduated with a BA in American History and Literature. Having always been talented with his comedic timing and wit, Conan became the president of the school’s comedy journal “Harvard Lampoon”.

O'Brien started his television career as a writer for "Saturday Night Live" and won an Emmy in 1975. He also wrote for other shows such as "The Simpsons", "Southpark" and more. While working for "Saturday Night Live", he met producer Lorne Michaels, who offered him a job to host "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" in 1993.

Having no previous experience hosting a talk show, skeptical producers made him sign a new contract every week in the beginning. But Conan's charm and charismatic personality quickly won the hearts of viewers across America. The Washington Post has described Conan as “modest, wry, self-effacing, and demonstrably the most intelligent of the late-night comics.”

O'Brien was scheduled to take the place of Jay Leno on NBC’s the Tonight Show in 2009. Always modest about his own success, Conan once said, "If I existed 200 years ago, all the other farmers in my community would be like, 'That guy is worthless! He's sitting on a rock, jumping up like a frog, coming up with weird concepts and ideas, making faces, and combing his hair into a giant pastry.' It's a good thing I was born in this century, when superfluous television seems to be part of the economy." He truly had a way to brighten up the lives of all those who watched.

He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Ann Powel, and his two children, Neve, 4, and Beckett, 2. Funeral services are being held for close friends and family. By request of the family, donations can be made to the Conan O’Brien Memorial Fund rather than flowers.