he lived on the north side of indianapolis, not far from the indianapolis motor speedway. he enjoyed collecting model cars, including racers. in 2000, he told an interviewer for "esquire" that, while growing up, he admired his father's ability to tell jokes and be the life of the party. harry joseph letterman survived a heart attack at age 36, when david was a young boy. the fear of losing his father was constantly with letterman as he grew up. the elder letterman died of a second heart attack at age 57.