David Letterman Retiring From The Late Show in 2015 ~ Entertainment News, Celebrity News, Celebrity Gossip

David Letterman Jeffrey R. Staab/CBS

It's the end of an era.

David Letterman , TV's longest-running late-night talk-show host in television history, has announced his retirement from the Late Show with David Letterman. The late-night legend revealed the news of his retirement during Thursday night's taping of the Late Show, adding that he will air his final show in 2015.

Word of Letterman's plan spread quickly via Twitter on Thursday afternoon after musician Mike Mills, R.E.M.'s bassist who performed on Thursday's show, revealed Letterman's big news following the taping. "Dave just announced his retirement #2015 #muchlovedave," the musician tweeted.

MORE: David Letterman extends Late Show contract through 2015

Requests for comment from CBS and Letterman were not immediately returned.

Back in October, CBS extended Letterman's contract to keep him on the late-night lineup through 2015. President and CEO of CBS Leslie Moonves said in a statement, "There is only one Dave, and we are extremely proud that he continues to call CBS ‘home.'"

Letterman added in the press release, "Les and I had a lengthy discussion, and we both agreed that I needed a little more time to fully run the show into the ground."

VIDEO: Sarah Michelle Gellar remembers her first appearance on Letterman!

In a lengthy sit-down interview with Oprah in January of 2013, Letterman revealed that although he has thought about retiring, he's leaving it to the CBS higher-ups to tell him when the time is right.

"[Les Moonves] and I have an agreement. When he wants me to go all he has got to do is call and say, 'You know Dave it's time to go,' and I'll go," The late night host explained to Oprah. I will miss doing what I'm doing, but I won't feel like I have left anything on the table. When it's time to go, somebody else tell me because I don't know when it's time to go."

Letterman, who is about to celebrate his 67th birthday next week, has already exceeded legendary late night host Johnny Carson's age of 66-years-old when he retired from The Tonight Show in 1992.

WATCH: Lady Gaga Helps Bill Murray Check a Big Item Off His Bucket List on the Late Show

Last year, The Late Show will reach its milestone 20th anniversary. Since its debut in 1993, the talk show has earned nine Emmy Awards, as well as 73 Emmy nominations.

Letterman's 31 years of hosting experience makes him the longest-running late-night talk-show host in TV history. Letterman made his hosting debut with Late Night With David Letterman, which premieres on NBC in February 1982.

PHOTOS: Check out more of Hollywood's sexiest silver foxes