Conan O’Brien Reflects on Parents’ Sudden Loss

Conan O'Brien recently lost both of his parents, Dr. Thomas O'Brien and Ruth Reardon O'Brien, within a span of just three days. Dr. O'Brien, a respected epidemiologist, passed away at the age of 95 on Thursday, while Ruth, a trailblazing lawyer, died at 92 on Monday. The couple had been married for 66 years and spent their final moments together at their home in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Conan, 61, expressed his deep admiration for his father, recalling how he would forever be approached by people wanting to share stories about Dr. O'Brien. He described his father as an endlessly fascinating person, someone he would have thought was remarkable even if they had met casually.

Both Thomas and Ruth O'Brien hailed from Worcester, Massachusetts, and were married in 1958. Together, they raised six children: Neal, Luke, Conan, Kate, Jane, and Justin. Over the years, they were blessed with nine grandchildren, and their family bond remained strong until the end.

Ruth was one of the very few women in her class at Yale Law School in 1956 and became the second female partner at the prestigious Ropes & Gray law firm. Thomas, an esteemed graduate of Harvard Medical School, worked at Brigham and Women’s Hospital for many years and retired in 2019 after serving as the first director of the infectious diseases division.

In addition to his medical career, Thomas O'Brien was a key player in global health efforts, particularly in the fight against antimicrobial resistance. He co-founded the World Health Organization’s Collaborating Centre for Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance, which helped shape strategies to monitor and respond to global health challenges.

Conan credited much of his sense of humor to his father, who shared his love for classic comedians such as Jack Benny, Charlie Chaplin, and Peter Sellers. He fondly remembered how his father would laugh loudly at their favorite movies, leaving an indelible impression on him.

Ruth's career at Ropes & Gray was honored in 2017 when she received an award recognizing her significant impact. She reflected on the challenges of raising six children while managing her demanding career, while Conan remembered their home as a lively, chaotic place, full of love and family activities.