Conan O’Brien recently shared on a podcast how sharing dark humor with Will Arnett helped him cope with the passing of his parents.
Last year, the former late-night television host experienced the loss of both of his parents within a span of four days.
Dr. Thomas O’Brien, aged 95, passed away on December 9, 2024, due to deteriorating health, according to The Boston Globe. Just three days later, on December 12, his mother Ruth, aged 92, peacefully passed away at home.
The couple had enjoyed a marriage lasting 66 years, during which they had six children, including Conan, who is now 61, and nine grandchildren.
“My father was in constant motion. And he was interested in everything – absolutely everything,” O’Brien remarked about his father. “If I met him randomly in a hotel lobby, I’d think: ‘Who the hell is this guy? He’s the most interesting person I’ve ever met.’”
Reflecting on his mother, O’Brien shared a humorous memory from a Christmas party involving Jim Carrey, a story fitting for this time of year.
The period leading up to Christmas was undoubtedly challenging for O’Brien, but he managed to navigate it through dark humor and humorous blame on Jason Bateman.
Arnett appeared on O’Brien’s podcast ‘Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend’ and recounted the humorous text exchanges they shared during that difficult time.
“I hear that your dad passed away and I text you that day or the next day and I said, ‘Hey, listen. I’m sorry to hear about your dad’s passing, sending love from our family to yours,’” Arnett recalled on the podcast.
“And you wrote, ‘Thank you, Will. To be honest, I blame Bateman,'” the 55-year-old continued.
Arnett responded by suggesting it was not a ‘terrible theory,’ to which O’Brien jokingly replied that the Arrested Development actor was responsible for his father’s death.
Bateman, being part of their close-knit group, joined the conversation. Arnett noted on the podcast: “Bateman texts you and says, ‘Arnett tells me you’re on to me’. Conan says, ‘Bateman, do yourself a favor. Turn yourself in.’”
Discussing his grieving process, O’Brien explained: “You know what’s weird? I swear to God, this is how I grieve. It was so comforting for me to screw around with you guys at that moment. It just was. And if that makes me a madman, then so be it.”