Peter Lassally, a television producer who survived the Holocaust and became influential in late-night talk show production, died this week at a memory care facility in Los Angeles. He was 93.
Lassally joined NBC’s The Tonight Show in 1969 and worked there until Johnny Carson’s final broadcast in May 1992, operating as a behind-the-scenes partner to the more visible Fred De Cordova. After a brief stint with Late Night with David Letterman, Lassally played a key advisory role in Letterman’s career trajectory. When Jay Leno was selected to replace Carson on The Tonight Show, Lassally counseled Letterman against accepting a 12:30 a.m. slot. He facilitated introductions between Letterman and talent agent Michael Ovitz, ultimately helping Letterman secure a move to CBS in 1993 to launch Late Show with David Letterman at 11:35 p.m. from the Ed Sullivan Theater.
As part of that CBS deal, Lassally established The Late Late Show at 12:35 a.m., first with host Tom Snyder. He later brought Scottish actor-comedian Craig Ferguson into the role after initial disagreements over other candidates. Throughout his career, Lassally earned recognition for his candid feedback with hosts and guests, acquiring the nickname “Host Whisperer.” He won Emmy Awards in 1992 and 1994 and collected 13 Emmy nominations overall during his career.
Born in Hamburg, Germany, in 1932, Lassally fled Nazi persecution with his family, eventually settling in Amsterdam. His mother and sister were confined to concentration camps from 1943 to 1945. He immigrated to the United States in 1947 and began his entertainment career as a page at NBC, eventually producing programs for figures including Arthur Godfrey, Mike Wallace, and Ruby Mercer. Lassally retired from Late Late Show in 2014 when Ferguson departed. He is survived by his son Tom, daughter Andrea, and four grandchildren.