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    Conan O’Brien and Will Arnett detail the outrageous texts they sent each other after host's parents both died within 4 days

    Home> Celebrity> News

    Published 20:32 10 Dec 2025 GMT

    Conan O’Brien and Will Arnett detail the outrageous texts they sent each other after host's parents both died within 4 days

    Conan O’Brien lost both of his parents last December

    Callum Jones

    Callum Jones

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    Featured Image Credit: Team Coco/YouTube

    Topics: Celebrity, Conan O'Brien, Podcast, Parenting

    Callum Jones
    Callum Jones

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    Conan O'Brien has explained in a recent podcast appearance how some dark humour with Will Arnett helped him deal with the loss of of his parents.

    Last year, the former late night host's parents died within four days of each other.

    On December 9, 2024, Dr Thomas O’Brien, 95, passed away after ‘his health had been failing’, as per The Boston Globe. And three days later, on December 12, his mother Ruth, 92, died ‘peacefully’ at home.

    The pair had been married for 66 years and went on to have six children together, including 61-year-old O’Brien, and nine grandchildren.

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    "My father was in constant motion. And he was interested in everything - absolutely everything," O'Brien said of his dad. “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.'”

    Conan O'Brien lost both of his parents within a few days of each other (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
    Conan O'Brien lost both of his parents within a few days of each other (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

    As for his mother, O'Brien previously explained a hilarious memory he had of her at a Christmas party involving Jim Carrey - a perfect story to recall at this time a year!

    That period before Christmas last year was obviously an extremely difficult time for O'Brien, and he dealt with it thanks to dark humour and blaming Jason Bateman - as you do.

    Arnett joined the host on his podcast 'Needs a Friend' and detailed the outrageous texts they sent to each other during that 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 in the recent podcast episode.

    "And you wrote, ‘Thank you, Will. To be honest, I blame Bateman," the 55-year-old continued.


    Arnett texted back by suggesting it was not a 'terrible theory', before O'Brien replied once more by joking the Arrested Development star had killed his dad.

    And showing how close knit the trio are, Bateman even joined in with the conversation as Arnett added in 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.’”

    Explaining his grieving process, O'Brien stated: "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."

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