Photos: David Letterman retiring in 2015 from 'Late Show'
David Letterman is retiring next year as host of "Late Show."
During a taping of Thursday's show, Letterman said he has informed CBS that he will step down in 2015, when his current contract expires.
He specified no end date, telling his audience he expects his exit will be in "at least a year or so, but sometime in the not too distant future — 2015, for the love of God — (band leader) Paul (Shaffer) and I will be wrapping things up." -AP
Relive some of his past in photos.
David Letterman
David Letterman, host of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” waves to the audience in New York on Thursday, April 3, 2014, after announcing that he will retire sometime in 2015. Letterman, who turns 67 next week, has the longest tenure of any late-night talk show host in U.S. television history, already marking 32 years since he created "Late Night" at NBC in 1982. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
David Letterman
David Letterman, host of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” smiles while seated at his desk in New York on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Letterman announced his retirement during Thursday’s taping. Although no specific date was announced he told the audience that he will leave his desk sometime in 2015. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
Justin Bieber, David Letterman
In this June 21, 2012 file photo provided by CBS, host David Letterman appears at a taping of his shows"Late Show with David Letterman" in New York. During a taping of his show Thursday, April 3, 2014, Letterman said he has informed his CBS bosses that he will step down in 2015, when his current contract expires. He told his audience he expects his departure will be “at least a year or so” from now. (AP Photo/CBS Broadcasting Inc., John Paul Filo, File)
Cher, David Letterman
In this Sept. 24, 2013 file photo provided by CBS, Cher embraces host David Letterman after she performed a song off her new album, on “Late Show with David Letterman,” in New York. During a taping of his show Thursday, April 3, 2014, Letterman said he has informed his CBS bosses that he will step down in 2015, when his current contract expires. He told his audience he expects his departure will be “at least a year or so” from now. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
David Letterman
This June 29, 2010 file photo shows David Letterman riding a go kart powered by the reaction from mixing 648 Mentos candies into 108 two-liter bottles of Coke while taping a segment for "The Late Show with David Letterman" in New York. Letterman announced his retirement during a taping on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Although no specific date was announced he told the audience that he will leave his desk sometime in 2015. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)
David Letterman
This April 14, 2008 file photo shows David Letterman throwing a pitch to New York Mets third baseman David Wright outside the "Late Show with David Letterman" studios in New York. Letterman announced his retirement during a taping on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Although no specific date was announced he told the audience that he will leave his desk sometime in 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Zelevansky, File)
Madonna, David Letterman
In this Jan. 11, 2006 file photo released by CBS, Madonna joins host David Letterman on the set of "The Late Show with David Letterman," in New York. Madonna was in town to attend a special screening of "Arthur and The Invisibles." Letterman announced his retirement during a taping on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Although no specific date was announced he told the audience that he will leave his desk sometime in 2015. (AP Photo/CBS, J P Filo, File)
David Letterman, Julia Roberts
In this June 9, 2009 file photo released by CBS, actress Julia Roberts laughs as she holds host David Letterman's hand on the set of the "Late Show with David Letterman," in New York. Letterman announced his retirement during a taping on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Although no specific date was announced he told the audience that he will leave his desk sometime in 2015. (AP Photo/CBS, John Paul Filo)
Dolly Parton, David Letterman
FILE In this June 29, 2010 file photo released by CBS, host David Letterman kisses the hand of country music singer Dolly Parton on the set of the "Late Show with David Letterman" in New York. Letterman announced his retirement during a taping on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Although no specific date was announced he told the audience that he will leave his desk sometime in 2015. (AP Photo/CBS, Heather Wines, File) MANDATORY CREDIT; NO SALES; NO ARCHIVE; NORTH AMERICAN USE ONLY
Letterman
This Jan. 15, 1993 file photo shows talk-show host David Letterman announces his new contract with CBS television for his new show "The Late Show with David Letterman," in New York. Letterman announced his retirement during a taping on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Although no specific date was announced he told the audience that he will leave his desk sometime in 2015. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
TV-Letterman Retiring
This May 9, 1994 file photo released by CBS shows David Letterman gesturing during a week-long taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman," in Los Angeles. Letterman announced his retirement during a taping on Thursday, April 3, 2014. Although no specific date was announced he told the audience that he will leave his desk sometime in 2015. (AP Photo/CBS, File)
Jimmy Carter, David Letterman
Former President Jimmy Carter, left, talks with David Letterman on "Late Show with David Letterman," Monday March 24, 2014. Carter said during the broadcast that the Crimean annexation was "inevitable" because Russia considers it to be part of their country and so many Crimeans consider themselves Russian. But he says Russian President Vladimir Putin shouldn't be permitted to go any further. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
Cobie Smulders
In this March 31, 2014 photo, actress Cobie Smulders from the CBS comedy series "How I Met Your Mother," talks to host David Letterman about the series finale, on the set of the “Late Show with David Letterman” in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
Lady Gaga, Bill Murray, David Letterman
Comedian Bill Murray, center, takes a "selfie" with singer Lady Gaga and host David Letterman on the set of the "Late Show with David Letterman," Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in New York. The singer had Murray, Letterman and the entire audience over to the Roseland Ballroom for a special performance. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
Bill Murray, David Letterman, Lady Gaga
Comedian Bill Murray, left, and David Letterman, second left, host of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” joins singer Lady Gaga, right, for a special performance at the Roseland Ballroom, Wednesday, April 2, 2014, in New York. Lady Gaga invited the entire “Late Show with David Letterman" audience to the performance. The man at center right is unidentified. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
David Letterman, Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting
In this Monday, Feb. 24, 2014 photo provided by CBS, Actress Kaley Cuoco-Sweeting, from the CBS comedy series "The Big Bang Theory," talks with host David Letterman on the set of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
David Letterman, Kat Dennings
Actress Kat Dennings from the CBS comedy series "2 Broke Girls" talks with host David Letterman on the set of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 in New York. (AP Photo/Jeffrey R. Staab)
Kim Kardashian
TV personality Kim Kardashian leaves a taping of the "Late Show with David Letterman," in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
David Letterman; Bill Murray
In this Aug. 29, 2013 photo provided by CBS, actor Bill Murray, left, joins host David Letterman on the set of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” in New York, as the show celebrates its 20th Anniversary on Thursday, Aug. 29. Murray was the Late Show's first guest 20 years ago and retrieved a time capsule as part of the festivities. The show aired Thursday. (AP Photo/CBS, John Paul Filo)
David Letterman; Bill Murray
In this Aug. 29, 2013 photo provided by CBS, actor Bill Murray, left, joins host David Letterman on the set of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” in New York, as the show celebrates its 20th Anniversary on Thursday, Aug. 29. Murray was the Late Show's first guest 20 years ago. (AP Photo/CBS, John Paul Filo)
Oprah Winfrey, David Letterman
In this photo provided by CBS Entertainment, talk show host, producer, publisher and actress Oprah Winfrey visits CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman," Thursday, Aug. 1, 2013, in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, John Paul Filo)
David Letterman, Oprah Winfrey
This Nov. 26, 2012 file photo shows Ball State University alumnus David Letterman, right, host of CBS's "Late Show," with Oprah Winfrey following an interview at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. Letterman says he sees a psychiatrist once a week, part of his attempt to be the person he once believed he was. The late-night talk show host gave an extraordinary interview to Oprah Winfrey, where he talked about his feuds with her and Jay Leno and his own effort to make amends for the affairs that became public three years ago when a man tried to extort him. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, file)
'Late Show with David Letterman'
In this Tuesday, April 9, 2013 photo released by CBS Entertainment, actress Lindsay Lohan talks to David Letterman about her upcoming trip to rehab, her guest star roles in the series "Anger Management" and film "Scary Movie 5" and more during the "Late Show with David Letterman," (11:35 PM-12:37 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, in New York. (AP Photo/CBS Entertainment, Jeffrey R. Staab)
Jimmy Carter and David Letterman
Talk show host David Letterman gestures as he speaks to former President Jimmy Carter during the taping of the "Late show with David Letterman" Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1993 in New York. Carter, who dropped in on the show to tell a few stories, was welcomed onstage with a standing ovation. (AP Photo/Alan Singer)
Britney Spears throughout the years
In this file photo originally released by CBS, pop singer Britney Spears shares a laugh with host David Letterman on the set of "The Late Show with David Letterman," on May 9, 2006 in New York. Spears, who gave birth to her second child in September, surprised David Letterman with visit to the show Monday night Nov. 6 ,2006. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey Neira)
Jennifer Anniston; David Letterman
In this photo released by CBS, actress Jennifer Aniston discusses breakups with host David Letterman on the set of The Late Show with David Letterman, Thursday, May 24, 2006 in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, J.P. Filo)
David Letterman, Sacha Baron Cohen
In this photo provided by CBS, Borat, the fictional Kazakhstani journalist portrayed by comedian Sacha Baron Cohen, makes his first American late night talk show appearance when he visits the Late Show with David Letterman Monday, Oct. 30 2006 on the CBS Television Network in New York. Borat stars in the new film, "Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan" which hits theaters Friday, Nov. 3. (AP Photo/John Paul Filo, CBS)
Richard Simmons, David Letterman
In this photo released by CBS, author and fitness personality Richard Simmons, left, reacts to an explosion under the vegetable steamer as host David Letterman watches from the rear, on the set of the "Late Show with David Letterman" Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2006 in New York. This was Simmons' first appearance on the show in six years. (AP Photo/CBS, J.P. Filo)
Peyton Manning, David Letterman
In this photo released by CBS, Superbowl XLI Champion Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning relates some of the details of the Colt's Superbowl victory over the Chicago Bears, to host David Letterman on the set of the "Late Show with David Letterman," Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2007 in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, JP Filo)
David Letterman, Kid Rock
In this photo provided by CBS, musician Kid Rock, left, talks to David Letterman after performing on the "LATE SHOW with DAVID LETTERMAN," Monday, Oct. 8, 2007 in New York. Rock was promoting his new CD, "Rock and Roll Jesus." (AP Photo/John Paul Filo, CBS)
Jamie Foxx, David Letterman
In this photo provided by CBS, Actor Jamie Foxx does his impression of The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger on the set of the ”Late Show with David Letterman," Thursday Dec. 13, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
Ashton Kutcher, David Letterman
In this photo provided by CBS, "Two and a Half Men" star Ashton Kutcher, left, pokes fun at host David Letterman by wearing a helmet and bullet proof vest labeled “Not Dave,” on the set of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” Wednesday, Aug. 24, 201,1 in New York. Recently a jihadist website carried threats against Letterman, asking Muslim followers to "cut the tongue" of the late-night host because of a joke and gesture the comic had made about al-Qaida leaders on a show that aired in June. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
Late Show with David Letterman
In this image released by CBS, actress Jennifer Lopez talks with host David Letterman during an appearance on "Late Show with David Letterman," Monday, Jan. 30, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
Justin Bieber, David Letterman
In this photo provided by CBS, Justin Bieber, left,visits David Letterman for taping of "Late Show with David Letterman" on Thursday June 21, 2012 in New York. (AP Photo/CBS Broadcasting Inc., John Paul Filo)
Late Show with David Letterman
This June 20, 2012 photo released by CBS shows actor Alec Baldwin pointing to a photo of himself on the front page of the New York Daily News as he talks with host David Letterman about is altercation with a photographer during a taping of "Late Show with David Letterman" in New York. Police have confirmed that Daily News photographer Marcus Santos has filed a complaint against Baldwin. They say Santos claims he was punched while snapping photos of Baldwin and his fiancée on Tuesday, June 19. The "30 Rock" star says he was only protecting himself. Baldwin's publicist accused the photographer of being the aggressor and says the actor defended himself after the photographer assaulted him with a camera. (AP Photo/CBS, John Paul Filo)
Barack Obama, David Letterman
President Barack Obama sits with David Letterman on the set of the "Late Show With David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
David Letterman, Regina Letterman
2012 Kennedy Center Honoree David Letterman, and his wife, Regina, arrive at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors Performance and Gala Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012 at the State Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf)
Barack Obama, David Letterman
President Barack Obama talks with David Letterman on the set of the "Late Show With David Letterman" at the Ed Sullivan Theater, Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Letterman
David Letterman, host of NBC-TV's "Late Night with David Letterman, " is taken from a tank of water and placed onto a scale in New York while wearing a specially designed suit of sponges, Feb. 14, 1985. Letterman weighed 190 lbs. before and a whopping 500 lbs. after soaking up about 25 gallons of water, during taping for Thursday night's show. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Letterman
Television host David Letterman poses behind a cake shaped like a television commemorating the fourth season of "Late Night with David Letterman" at his Miami hotel, Jan. 23, 1986. Letterman and his entourage had just completed filming a 90-minute anniversary show aboard a chartered 747 jet from New York to Miami. (AP Photo/Joe Skipper)
Letterman Schott
Marge Schott, owner of the Cincinatti Reds, and her dog Schotzy appear on "Late Night With David Letterman," during a taping of the show, May 13, 1986. (AP Photo/Ray Stubblebine)
NBC "Late Night With David Letterman"
"Today Show" host Jane Pauley, left plays to the audience while speaking with David Letterman during the taping of Thursday's "Late Night with David Letterman" show at NBC studios In New York December 28, 1989. The two were speaking about Pauley's final appearance on Friday on as host on "Today." (AP Photo/Susan Ragan)
Emma Watson, David Letterman
In this photo provided by CBS, actress Emma Watson joins host David Letterman on the set of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” Wednesday Sept. 5, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, David Letterman
In this photo provided by CBS, members of Led Zeppelin, from left, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones join host David Letterman on the set of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, John Paul Filo)
Madonna, David Letterman
In this photo released by CBS, Madonna joins host David Letterman on the set of "The Late Show with David Letterman," Thursday, Jan. 11, 2006 in New York. Madonna was in town to attend a special screening of "Arthur and The Invisibles." (AP Photo/CBS, J P Filo)
Sebastien Bourdais, Paul Newman, David Letterman
In this photo released by CBS, actor Paul Newman, center, speaks to host David Letterman, right, as driver Sebastien Bourdais looks on during a visit to the "Late Show with David Letterman," in New York, Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007. Newman co-owns the Newman-Haas Racing, and Bourdais, who drives for him, has won the Champ Car title for the past three years. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey Neira, HO)
John Edwards, David Letterman
In this photo released by CBS, host David Letterman, right, messes Democratic Presidential hopeful John Edwards' hair on the set of "The Late Show with David Letterman" in New York, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/CBS, J.P. Filo)
Phil McGraw, David Letterman
In this photo released by CBS, Dr. Phil McGraw, left, stops by to talk with host David Letterman on the set of "The Late Show with David Letterman," Wednesday Jan. 30, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
Paris Hilton, David Letterman
In this photo released by CBS, host David Letterman offers Paris Hilton a bouquet of roses on the set of "The Late Show with David Letterman," Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008 in New York. Things got tense during Hiltons' September 2007 appearance when Letterman asked Hilton for details from her time spent in jail but the pair reconciled. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)
Hillary Rodham Clinton, David Letterman
In this photo released by CBS, presidential hopeful Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., laughs with host David Letterman after recounting some of his pants-suit jokes about her on the set of "The Late Show with David Letterman," Thursday, Aug. 30, 2007, in New York. Sen. Clinton also read her Top Ten things she would do if elected President of the United States. (AP Photo/CBS, J.P. Filo)
Lady Gaga
In this photo provided by CBS, entertainer Lady Gaga, left, appears with Late Show host David Letterman as they react to a television monitor showing fans lining New York's 53rd street during taping of the Late Show with David Letterman, Monday, May 23, 2011, in New York. (AP Photo/CBS, John Paul Filo)
Jason Segel, David Letterman
FILE - In this April 23, 2012 file photo provided by CBS, host David Letterman appears during a taping of his show “Late Show with David Letterman, in New York. Letterman says he plans to retire next year as host of “Late Show.” During a taping of his show Thursday, April 3, 2014, Letterman said he has informed his CBS bosses that he will step down in 2015, when his current contract expires. He told his audience he expects his departure will be “at least a year or so” from now. (AP Photo/CBS, John Paul Filo) MANDATORY CREDIT; NO ARCHIVE; NO SALES; NORTH AMERICAN USE ONLY
Johnny depp, David Letterman
In this photo provided by CBS, actor Johnny Depp, left, joins host David Letterman on the set of the “Late Show with David Letterman,” Thursday, April 3, 2014, in New York. Earlier during Thursday’s taping, Letterman informed the audience that he will retire in 2015, at the end of his current contract. Letterman steps down with the longest tenure of any late-night talk show host in U.S. television history. (AP Photo/CBS, Jeffrey R. Staab)