BEIJING, May 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Jimmy Fallon, "Taxi" star, was officially named to take Conan O'Brien's place as host of "Late Night" show next year, network NBC announced Tuesday.

    NBC Entertainment/Universal Media Studios chairmen Ben Silverman and Marc Graboff announced the appointment at a Rockefeller Plaza press conference.

    "You can never really be sure of these things," said exec producer Lorne Michaels, who took a risk in 1993 recruiting the then-unknown O'Brien for the job. "But he's funny and smart and has a really good work ethic. You have to want this more than anything, and I think he does."

    Fallon told media, "It's a comedian's dream to get this job, to work with writers and try to be funny every night."

    Fallon said he also was excited to go back to work for Michaels, who was his boss as producer of "Saturday Night Live" and whose company co-produces "Late Night."

    Fallon, 33, joined Saturday Night Live in 1998. He remained a cast member for six seasons, where he co-anchored the "Weekend Update" news segment with 3rd Rock's Tina Fey.

   Conan O'Brien would then be stepping in for Jay Leno's "The Tonight Show" as Leno is expected to retire at the end of this year.

    (Agencies)