In this Feb. 1, 1982 file photo, Letterman, right, and guest Bill Murray appear at the taping of the debut of "Late Night with David Letterman" in New York.
"Late Night with David Letterman" host David Letterman, left, appears with host Johnny Carson during taping of "The Tonight Show," at the NBC Studio in Burbank, California, in this 1991 file photo. After 33 years in late night and 22 years hosting CBS' "Late Show," Letterman will retire on May 20.
Bette Davis was a guest of "Late Night With David Letterman" on the set at NBC studios, May 26, 1987.
Letterman pets Schottzie, a St. Bernard belonging to Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott, left, during a 1986 taping.
Farmer Bob Corbett, left, of North Lewisburg, Ohio, shepherds his prize-winning boar named Hog Chief past host Letterman in an April 24, 1987 segment. The boar, who had lost of few of his 1,205 pounds when he went on the show, was working to set a world weight record for pigs.
Letterman, right, welcomes Agnes DeMaris, sitting left, and Ruth Hanson, sitting right, and the two women's 14 fellow townspeople from the "metropolitan" and "suburban" areas of Bolan, Iowa, as they appeared in New York for the taping of the "Late Night with David Letterman" show, March 1, 1989. Bolan's entire population of 16 took Letterman up on his offer to treat them to a visit to the big city.
Letterman makes a selfie with Oprah Winfrey during Oprah’s final appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman."
This April 14, 2008 file photo shows Letterman throwing a pitch to New York Mets third baseman David Wright outside the "Late Show with David Letterman" studios in New York.
Michelle Obama gives a “thumbs up” as host David Letterman watches on the set of the show on April 30.
President Barack Obama with host David Letterman talk during a break at a taping of CBS' "The Late Show with David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York, May 4, 2015.
Former President Bill Clinton, left, makes his final appearance with Letterman on May 12.
Actor George Clooney, left, handcuffs himself to host David Letterman on the set of the “Late Show with David Letterman.”
Actor Bill Murray, left, talks with Letterman after emerging from a cake to say good-bye on Tuesday, May 19.
People gather under the marquee of the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York before the final taping of the "The Late Show."
David Letterman receives a standing ovation during the taping of his final "Late Show with David Letterman" Wednesday at the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. After 33 years in late night television, 6,028 broadcasts, nearly 20,000 total guest appearances, 16 Emmy Awards and more than 4,600 career Top Ten Lists, Letterman has left the stage.
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