Paul Allen Wood Shaffer, born on November 28, 1949, is a Canadian musician, composer, actor, and comedian best known as the longtime musical director and sidekick for David Letterman on Late Night with David Letterman (1982–1993) and Late Show with David Letterman (1993–2015). His energetic presence and musical talent made him a defining part of the late-night talk show format for over three decades.
Raised in Fort William (now part of Thunder Bay), Ontario, Shaffer grew up in a Jewish household where music was central—his father was passionate about jazz, and his mother loved show tunes. A pivotal moment came when his parents took him to Las Vegas at age 12, where seeing performances by Nat King Cole and others inspired him to pursue a career in entertainment. He began studying piano early on and later played organ in local bands like the Fabulous Fugitives during his teens.
Shaffer attended the University of Toronto, where he earned a B.A. in sociology in 1971 and developed a deeper interest in jazz and musicals, performing frequently with guitarist Tisziji Muñoz in local venues. His professional break came with his work as a musician and bandleader, eventually leading to a stint on Saturday Night Live before becoming an integral part of David Letterman’s shows.
Aside from his television fame, Shaffer has appeared in films, contributed to music and comedy recordings, and is widely recognized for his showmanship and encyclopedic knowledge of music history. His brief cameo playing organ in the IMAX film North of Superior (1971) is one of his earliest recorded screen appearances. He remains a celebrated figure in both Canadian and American entertainment.
