Who Is Conan O’Brien’s Wife? What to Know About Playwright Liza Powel O’Brien

Conan O’Brien and his wife, Liza Powel O’Brien, have been by each other’s side for more than two decades.

The pair first crossed paths in 1999 while filming a Late Night With Conan O’Brien segment at the advertising agency where she worked as a copywriter.

“I immediately start talking to her [Liza], and then I’m not even trying to be funny … I’m just trying to find out more about this woman,” O’Brien recounted on “The Michelle Obama Podcast” in September 2020. “Then I left the room after this 20-minute conversation with only her … We were breaking down the equipment, and she walks out. We start talking some more, and then we end up talking in the lobby.”

Three years later, the couple tied the knot in her hometown of Seattle. The pair have since welcomed children Neve and Beckett in 2003 and 2005, respectively.

Scroll down to learn more about Powel O’Brien:

Liza Powel O’Brien Has a Master of Fine Arts Degree

Liza Powel O’Brien earned a master of fine arts degree in fiction writing from Columbia University’s School of the Arts. She also received her bachelor’s degree at Vassar College.

Liza Powel O’Brien Is a Playwright

Liza Powel O’Brien works as a playwright and has written several works over the years, including The Great Experiment, Ruthie Goes Shopping, Apostrophe and The Distinguished Gentleman.

According to Liza’s website, her work has been seen at The Geffen Playhouse, Echo Theater Company, The Blank Theatre, Unscreened LA, Naked Angels LA, Ojai Playwrights Conference, Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival, Hedgebrook and Whidbey Island Center for the Arts.

Liza Powel O’Brien Is a Mom

One year after tying the knot in 2002, Liza Powel O’Brien and Conan O’Brien welcomed their first baby, Neve. The pair added to their family in 2005 when they welcomed son Beckett.

Liza Powel O’Brien Hosts a Podcast

Liza Powel O’Brien hosts the podcast “Significant Others,” which explores the stories of lesser-known historical figures. The show is on Conan O’Brien’s Team Coco network.

“I’m constantly thinking of missed opportunities but maybe moving forward, I should be asking everyone that I interview who their significant other is in the story of their life,” she told Newsweek in 2022. “Not necessarily their romantic life, but just their career or their passion project, or whatever it is that they think defines them.”

She continued, “For Conan, I don’t think I would be technically kind of significant other in terms of being his wife, but he has other people in the story of his career, who were pivotal. And that could be an interesting story.”

Liza Powel O’Brien Is Supportive of Conan O’Brien’s Work

During an interview with Newsweek in 2022, Liza Powel O’Brien praised Conan O’Brien’s work ethic.

“That’s something that Conan has always been really good about, is collecting nice people around him and appreciating them and benefiting from what they have to offer,” Liza said. “Most of the time, people seem very happy to be working with him and I’m certainly benefiting from that.”

She has also attended several red carpets with Conan — including the 2026 Oscars, which he hosted.