Who

Shiny-pated Canadian Paul Shaffer is David Letterman's musical director and foil on the Late Show.

Backstory

Shaffer started his career as the musical director of the Toronto production of Godspell, with a cast that included future stars Martin Short and Gilda Radner. (Interestingly, his late-night counterpart Max Weinberg also got his start in a production of the musical.) Shaffer later moved to New York to record the album for the film version of Godspell at the invitation of composer Stephen Schwartz, but it was Shaffer's friendship with a handful of Canadian comedians that led to a gig on Saturday Night Live. He spent much of the late '70s working on the Lorne Michaels-produced show, playing in the band and writing musical material. His big meal-ticket gig came in 1982, when he was tapped to serve as musical director for NBC's Late Night with David Letterman, for which he composed the theme song. Shaffer stuck with Letterman after his 1993 switch to CBS, and remains the funny man's musical director.

On screen

Shaffer had a small role as record promo man Artie Fufkin in the 1984 cult classic This is Spinal Tap, and made a bid for stardom in the late '70s with his sitcom A Year at the Top. The plot? Shaffer played a musician who sells his soul to the son of Satan for a year of mega-success. Clearly, he made no such deal in real life—the show got cancelled after five awful episodes. In 2001, he hosted the VH1 game show Cover Wars, featuring competitions between unknown cover bands.

On the side

In addition to recording his own albums, Coast to Coast and The World's Most Dangerous Party, Shaffer co-wrote the Weather Girls' dance hit "It's Raining Men." (Despite penning one of the gayest songs of all time, Shaffer actually likes the ladies.) He has served as musical director and producer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's induction ceremony since its inception, and did the same for the closing ceremonies of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. His as-yet untitled memoir will be published by Flying Dolphin Press, an imprint of Random House, in 2009.

Personal

The diminutive music man is married to Cathy Vasapoli Shaffer. They have two children, Victoria and William, and live in Bedford, not too far from Letterman.