Conan O'Brien's sidekick Andy Richter reveals his wife's abortion as he thanks Planned Parenthood for providing the procedure when they were 'struggling'

• e-mail

Andy Richter, the comedian best known for his work as Conan O'Brien's longtime sidekick on late night television, revealed his wife aborted their baby before they got married.

Richter poignantly recalled the episode with his then girlfriend Sarah Thyre as he played host to a star-studded gala in Los Angeles to benefit Planned Parenthood on September 10, according to The Hollywood Reporter. 

'I'd like to share a story,' Richter told the audience at Planned Parenthood's Sexy Beast gala at The Theater at Ace Hotel.

Andy Richter (left) and Sarah Thyre (right) were two struggling comedians in the early 1990s

'In 1992, my girlfriend and I were having a rough time. We'd been performing in a show together for a couple of years, but it had come to an end, and we found ourselves living apart.'

Richter and Thyre, who is also a comedian, starred in Jill Soloway's stage production of The Brady Bunch.

'She was in New York City working three jobs; I was in Chicago jobless and sleeping on my mother's couch,' Richter said.

'The strain of living apart, and the stress of being two young people attempting to make a living as performers and writers was really taking a toll on the relationship.

'So when she called me to tell me that she was pregnant, it was not exactly happy news.'

'Luckily for us Planned Parenthood existed.'

Richter (left) was jobless and sleeping on his mother's couch in Chicago, while Thyre was working three jobs in New York

Planned Parenthood provides abortions, screening for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy testing and other services, according to its website. It has 700 health centers throughout the US.

'My girlfriend knew that she was not ready for motherhood, and I knew that I was in no way prepared to be a father,' Richter said. 

'I drove from Chicago in my battered old Toyota pick-up to be with her when she went to Planned Parenthood to terminate her pregnancy.' 

'Her choice to get an abortion was a choice that she made with assuredness. 

'She knew that she was doing the right thing for everyone involved. But I can't say it was easy. She was sad, and I was sad, and it was sad. But to this day, I know that she will tell you that she made the right decision.' 

Richter credits Planned Parenthood with saving his relationship with Thyre, with whom he's been married for 22 years. 

'Planned Parenthood gave two young struggling people the ability to do the thing that is in their name: We got to plan parenthood,' Richter said. 

'When we could barely care for ourselves, much less a newborn, we were able to choose the time when we brought a child into our lives,' the comedian said. 

'Planned Parenthood allowed my wife to make the decisions she needed to make in order to control her body and her health, and maintain her life and her future. And for that, I will be eternally grateful.' 

Richter was chosen to host the Planned Parenthood event after he came out in support of the organization last year, when a pro-life group alleged that it was involved in the illegal sale of fetus anatomy. 

Richter (left, with late night host Conan O'Brien) credits Planned Parenthood for saving the relationship with his girlfriend, with whom he has been married for the past 22 years

The Center for Medical Progress released a series of short films about the sexual health clinic and abortion provider in a bid to show the organization was harvesting organs. 

It sparked international outcry, with Republicans calling for Planned Parenthood to be shuttered. 

However, a grand jury in Houston concluded Planned Parenthood did nothing illegal - and instead indicted members of the anti-abortion group. 

In November of last year, an anti-abortion activist, Robert Dear, was indicted for killing three people at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. 

Nine others were also injured in the brutal attacks. 

In remarks to The Hollywood Reporter, Richter was defiant in his outspoken backing for Planned Parenthood. 

'Planned Parenthood helps a ton of people, and if [some] don't agree with that, f*** 'em,' he said.

'You can quote me on that. Tell them I said, 'f*** 'em.' 

Richter and Thyre are parents to two children - a son, William, and a daughter, Mercy.