Since 1982, David Letterman has paved the way for dozens of comedians who've transformed the landscape of late-night television and comedy in general.

Between Late Night on NBC and his current Late Show on CBS, many of Letterman's writers and employees have advanced to create amazing comedy of their own, largely owing their starts to Letterman. The roster includes writers like Merrill Markoe, who helped create Letterman's Late Night show, to Louis C.K., who became an icon in his own right.

Letterman's final show airs May 20 on CBS. Before he says goodbye, take a look at some hilarious and legendary comedians who were once his humble employees.

1. Chris Elliott

Elliott, a writer and frequent performer for Letterman on both the NBC and CBS late-night shows, made a huge splash with his bizarre character bits, like the one above. Elliott would go on to co-star in films like There's Something About Mary and television shows like Everybody Loves Raymond and Eagleheart.

Elliott gave a tearful and perfectly weird sendoff to Letterman on the Feb. 11 show.

2. Merrill Markoe

Markoe worked with Letterman before his foray on late night, writing for the short-lived morning talkshow, The David Letterman Show in 1980. She went on to co-create Late Night for NBC, where she became head writer.

Markoe is considered by many as a pioneer for female television comedy writers.

3. Spike Feresten

The longtime Seinfeld writer behind iconic episodes like "The Soup Nazi" began his television comedy career with Late Night in 1990. He went on to host his own talkshow, Talkshow with Spike Feresten from 2006 to 2009.

4. Louis C.K.

Image: Brad Barket/Associated Press

After writing for Conan's Late Night between 1993 and 1994, C.K. briefly wrote for Letterman's Late Show in 1995.

In his FX show Louie, the comedian wrote an arc around his character being considered a potential replacement for Letterman in 2012.

5. Will Forte

Image: CBS

The SNL alum and current star of Fox's The Last Man on Earth wrote for the Late Show during the 1997-1998 season. Forte occasionally appeared on the show in filmed segments like "Everything's Funnier When Someone Gets Hurt."

6. Dino Stamatopoulos

Perhaps best known as "Star-Burns" on Community, Stamatopoulos wrote for the Late Show from 1996-1997. Stamatopoulos has also written for classic shows like Mr. Show and Tom Goes to the Mayor.

7. Jim Downey

Image: Universal

Downey, who is known as one of the most influential writers in Saturday Night Live history, left the show when Lorne Michaels did in 1980. He worked with Letterman at Late Night as the show's head writer from 1982-1984.

You may also know Downey as the furious principal from Billy Madison.

8. Ben Schwartz

The screenwriter, actor and Parks and Recreation star actually worked as a page on Letterman's Late Show while performing at Upright Citizen's Brigade in the early 2000s. Through his connections, he was able to freelance jokes for Letterman's monologue, as he detailed in his appearance on the show in January 2015.