Conan O'Brien's Enduring Love Story: From a Brief Fling with Lisa Kudrow to Two Decades with Liza Powel

Conan O'Brien, the beloved late-night host known for his quick wit and self-deprecating humor, has maintained a relatively private romantic life compared to many of his celebrity peers. While his professional career has seen him at the helm of major talk shows for decades, his personal romantic journey has been marked by a period of public singlehood before finding lasting love in a long-term marriage. His dating history, as publicly known, is not extensive, but it culminates in a remarkably stable and enduring partnership.

In the early 1990s, before his rise to late-night superstardom, reports suggest that Conan O'Brien had a brief romantic involvement with actress Lisa Kudrow. This relationship reportedly occurred around 1993-1994, during a period when both were emerging talents in the entertainment industry. Kudrow, who would soon gain global fame as Phoebe Buffay on Friends, and O'Brien, then a writer for The Simpsons before landing his Late Night gig, kept their alleged courtship largely out of the public eye. The relationship was reportedly short-lived and private, with neither party extensively discussing it in the media.

For several years following this reported brief romance, Conan O'Brien was publicly known as a bachelor, often incorporating his single status into his comedic persona on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. This period saw him become one of television's most eligible and recognizable personalities, yet his romantic life remained largely unpublicized, leading to a perception among fans that he was perpetually unlucky in love, a narrative he sometimes playfully embraced. This changed dramatically at the turn of the millennium.

The trajectory of O'Brien's romantic life shifted profoundly in 2000 when he met Liza Powel O'Brien, an advertising executive. Their initial encounter was unconventional and memorable: Powel appeared in a remote segment on Late Night with Conan O'Brien as part of an advertising skit. According to O'Brien, he was instantly smitten, describing it as love at first sight. He reportedly told his staff after the segment that he was going to marry her, a sentiment that proved prophetic.

Their courtship began shortly after this serendipitous meeting. Despite their differing professional worlds—O'Brien in the high-profile realm of television and Powel in advertising—they quickly formed a deep connection. Their relationship developed away from the intense media scrutiny often faced by celebrity couples, allowing them to build a strong foundation. The couple's engagement was announced, bringing much excitement to fans who had followed O'Brien's on-screen persona as a charming but seemingly perpetually single host.

Conan O'Brien and Liza Powel exchanged vows on January 12, 2002, in a private ceremony held in Powel's hometown of Seattle, Washington. The wedding was a relatively low-key affair, reflecting their preference for privacy in their personal lives despite O'Brien's public profession. This marriage marked a significant turning point, establishing O'Brien's long-term commitment and stability in his personal life.

Their marriage quickly blossomed into a family. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Neve O'Brien, in October 2003. Two years later, their family grew with the arrival of their son, Beckett O'Brien, born in January 2005. O'Brien often speaks affectionately about his wife and children, occasionally sharing anecdotes about their family life on his show, offering glimpses into his role as a devoted husband and father.

Over the past two decades, Conan and Liza's marriage has been a consistent and stable presence in the often-turbulent world of celebrity relationships. Liza Powel O'Brien has largely remained out of the public spotlight, supporting her husband's career while maintaining her own professional life. Their enduring partnership is frequently cited as an example of a successful, long-lasting Hollywood marriage, built on mutual respect and shared values.

Their relationship has weathered the various professional transitions in O'Brien's career, including his move from Late Night to The Tonight Show, and subsequently to TBS with Conan, and most recently to a podcast and HBO Max deal. Through these significant career changes, Liza has been a steadfast presence, providing a stable home life. Conan O'Brien has often credited his wife for her unwavering support and for grounding him amidst the demands of his public career.

Today, Conan O'Brien and Liza Powel O'Brien remain happily married, celebrating over two decades of marriage. Their relationship stands as the cornerstone of O'Brien's personal life, a testament to a private and enduring love story that began with an unexpected encounter on a television set and evolved into a strong family unit. While his early romantic history was brief and largely private, his marriage to Liza Powel has defined his romantic journey, showcasing a commitment to a lasting partnership.