David Letterman's Final Goodbye on the 'Late Show'

May 21, 2015 8:10 AM EDT

For the last time, David Letterman signed off from his late-night show on Wednesday night. Light on the jokes, but heavy on the graciousness, the Late Night host thanked his entire staff — including crew, writers and the band — for all they had done for the show. “These people collectively,” he said, “deserve more credit for this show than I ever will.”

Yet, in the middle of Letterman’s good-bye, bandleader Paul Shaffer summed up everyone else’s thoughts, saying, “Thank you so much Dave, you’ve changed our lives.”

Watch the full signoff here.

Photos: David Letterman’s Early Career

One of David Letterman's earliest roles before he made it as a television host was as a guest star on Mork & Mindy.CBS/Getty Images

Before he received his own show, Letterman was a regular guest host for *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*. Above, he is seen interviewing Betty White.Paul Drinkwater—NBC/Getty Images

Truma Capote and David Letterman on the David Letterman show. — In 1980, Letterman finally got his own morning comedy show, *The David Letterman Show*. Above, he is seen interviewing Truman Capote.Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Late Night with David Letterman — After the cancellation of his morning show, Letterman was given a new show and time slot, *Late Night With David Letterman* which immediately followed *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*. The first version of the *Late Night* franchise, debuted on February 1, 1982 and would eventually be succeeded by Conan O’Brien, seen above.Al Levine—NBC/Getty Images

Ed Sullivan Theater which is owned by CBS has the Late Show — Letterman left NBC for CBS to start the *Late Show with David Letterman* when NBC gave the reigns of *The Tonight Show* to Jay Leno instead of him after Johnny Carson's retirement. The first show debuted on August 30, 1993, with Letterman's retirement announced for 2015.New York Daily News Archive/Getty Images

Watch David Letterman’s Final Goodbye

Photos: David Letterman’s Early Career

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