David Letterman (born in 1947) is universally recognized as one of the most influential American late-night talk show hosts, rather than a professional film actor.

His film career has been extremely limited, characterized almost exclusively by special appearances, cameos, or roles where he played himself. He rarely took on fictional roles. A notable exception is his memorable and surreal cameo as "Old Man Frank" in *Cabin Boy* (1994). He also lent his voice to animated characters, such as in *Beavis and Butt-Head Do America* (1996).

His acting style, when present, reflects his characteristic dry wit, irony, and his talk show host persona, avoiding dramatic or complex roles. Letterman remains celebrated for his lasting impact on television, not for his film performances.