Conan O’Brien Remembers His Late Parents as “Kindred Spirits”
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Conan O’Brien Remembers His Late Parents as “Kindred Spirits”
Dr. Thomas O’Brien and Ruth Reardon O’Brien passed away just days apart earlier this month, leaving their son, Conan O’Brien, with profound memories of their extraordinary lives.
Conan O’Brien is reflecting on the lives of his parents, Dr. Thomas O’Brien and Ruth Reardon O’Brien, who passed away within three days of each other on Dec. 9 and Dec. 12. Speaking to The Boston Globe, O’Brien shared heartfelt stories that highlighted their deep influence on his life.
A Father Who Inspired Adventure
Dr. Thomas O’Brien, an esteemed epidemiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, was a man of curiosity and intellect who ignited a lifelong love of travel in his son. O’Brien recalled one pivotal moment when his father pulled him out of school to join him on an international work trip.
“He took me on a trip through South America when I was, I think, in seventh grade,” O’Brien shared. “He thought, ‘You’re going to learn more traveling through these various neighborhoods and cities in South America for a week and a half than you will in public school in Brookline.’ I think he put the travel bug in me.”
That early exposure to the wider world left a lasting mark on the comedian, who later incorporated international travel into his TBS talk show and now hosts the Emmy-nominated Max travel series Conan O’Brien Must Go.
A Mother of Heroism and Service
Ruth Reardon O’Brien, a trailblazing lawyer and mother of six, was described by her son as “heroic” for her ability to juggle family and career with grace.
“She’s doing all this mom stuff, and when that was done, rushing into a phone booth and becoming Ruth O’Brien, second woman partner at Ropes & Gray,” O’Brien said, marveling at her accomplishments.
In addition to her demanding career, Ruth was a pillar of her community. She often volunteered to help elderly neighbors resolve legal issues, embodying a sense of duty deeply rooted in her Catholic faith.
“If anyone was unhappy around my mom in a 50-mile radius, she thought it was incumbent on her to fix the problem,” O’Brien said. “It did not make her life easy, but it was very much a part of her Catholic drive — that ‘I have to be of service to people.’ And good God, she was.”
“Kindred Spirits”
Reflecting on their partnership, O’Brien described his parents as “kindred spirits,” united by their shared values of hard work, discipline, and service to others.
“They were incredibly hard-working and disciplined,” he said, marveling at the legacy they built together.
A Legacy of Influence
While mourning their loss, O’Brien continues to honor his parents’ influence in his life. He currently hosts the popular podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend and is gearing up to host the 97th Annual Academy Awards, airing Sunday, March 2, on ABC.
As O’Brien moves forward, the lessons and memories imparted by his parents remain close to his heart, inspiring his work and his life.
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