Gregory John Gutfeld, born on September 12, 1964, is a multifaceted American television host, libertarian political commentator, comedian, and author.
With a diverse career that spans comedy, politics, and literature, Gutfeld has established himself as a prominent figure in the world of media.
Wiki
Born Name: Gregory John Gutfeld
Date of Birth: September 12, 1964
Place of Birth: San Mateo, California, U.S
Occupations: Television personality, political commentator, comedian, author
Employer: Fox News
Political party: Libertarian
Spouse: Elena Moussa (m. 2004)
As the host of the late-night comedy talk show, “Gutfeld!”, and the former host of the Saturday night edition of “Gutfeld!” known as “The Greg Gutfeld Show” from May 2015 to March 2021, he has consistently entertained and engaged audiences with his unique blend of humor and insightful commentary.
Notably, Greg Gutfeld is recognized as one of the co-hosts and panelists on the widely-watched political talk show, “The Five.” These shows find their home on the Fox News Channel, where Gutfeld has become a familiar face to viewers seeking a mix of news, analysis, and entertainment.
His journey in television extends back to 2007 when he embarked on hosting the 3AM series “Red Eye,” a late-night talk show that also found its place on the Fox News Channel.
Throughout his career, Greg Gutfeld’s wit, humor, and distinctive perspective have left an indelible mark on the media landscape, making him a respected and celebrated personality in the realm of American television and political commentary.
Age
Gregory John Gutfeld, celebrated American television host, libertarian political commentator, comedian, and author, was born on September 12, 1964.
With his birthdate marking his entrance into the world, Gutfeld has since become a prominent and influential figure in the world of media, known for his witty humor and insightful commentary.
His enduring career spans various television shows, including hosting “Gutfeld!” and the Saturday night edition, “The Greg Gutfeld Show.”
His diverse talents have continually captivated audiences and contributed to his status as a respected voice in American television and political discourse.
As of September 12, 2023, he will be celebrating his 59th birthday, and come September 12, 2024, he will reach the milestone of 60 years of age.
Early life and education
Gregory John Gutfeld, known as Greg Gutfeld, was born in San Mateo, California. He is the son of Jacqueline Bernice “Jackie” (née Cauhape) and Alfred Jack Gutfeld.
Growing up in a Catholic household, he received his education at the all-boys Roman Catholic JunÃpero Serra High School.
His academic journey continued at the University of California, Berkeley, where he pursued his passion for English and successfully earned a bachelor’s degree in 1987.
During his time in college, Gutfeld’s political beliefs began to evolve. He shared in a 2009 interview that his exposure to diverse perspectives on campus played a significant role in shaping his political ideology.
He described how his interactions with liberals led him towards conservatism, and further exposure to conservative viewpoints eventually led him to adopt a libertarian stance.
This experience highlighted to him a commonality between both sides of the political spectrum—the tendency for moralizing, which he found to be a less appealing aspect of both liberal and conservative ideologies.
Gutfeld’s early life and educational experiences set the stage for his future career as a prominent political commentator, comedian, and author.
Career
Greg Gutfeld’s career journey has been a diverse and dynamic one, marked by his experiences in various roles across the media landscape.
After completing his college education, Gutfeld embarked on his career by interning at The American Spectator, where he worked as an assistant to conservative writer R. Emmett Tyrrell. This early exposure to political commentary set the stage for his future endeavors.
He continued to refine his skills as a writer and editor, holding positions at notable publications. Gutfeld worked as a staff writer at Prevention magazine before transitioning to become an editor for several magazines under the Rodale Press banner.
In 1995, he took on a staff writer role at Men’s Health, and his talent was quickly recognized as he rose to the position of editor-in-chief in 1999. However, this role was short-lived as he was replaced by David Zinczenko just a year later.
Gutfeld’s career then took him to the helm of Stuff magazine, owned by Dennis Publishing. During his tenure, the magazine’s circulation witnessed significant growth, increasing from 750,000 to 1.2 million.
Notably, in 2003, Gutfeld orchestrated a publicity stunt involving the hiring of dwarfs to attend a Magazine Publishers of America conference on the subject of “buzz.” Their role was to be loud and disruptive, attracting considerable attention.
However, this unconventional move led to Gutfeld’s dismissal shortly afterward. He subsequently assumed the role of “brain development” head at Dennis Publishing.
In 2004, Gutfeld served as the editor of Maxim magazine in the U.K., further expanding his editorial repertoire. Although his contract at Maxim came to an end without renewal, his career was about to take a notable turn.
In 2005, Gutfeld became one of the initial contributing writers to The Huffington Post, where he actively participated until October 2008.
His commentaries often targeted fellow Huffington Post contributors, including Deepak Chopra, Cenk Uygur, and Arianna Huffington.
The pivotal moment in his career occurred in 2007 when he assumed the role of host for the late-night talk show Red Eye on the Fox News Channel.
This hour-long show initially aired in the early hours of the morning before transitioning to a late-night slot. During his tenure as host, Bill Schulz served as his sidekick, and Andy Levy acted as the show’s ombudsman.
Schulz had previously worked with Gutfeld at Stuff magazine, while Levy was a fellow blogger at The Huffington Post.
On July 11, 2011, Gutfeld’s career took another significant step as he became a co-host and panelist on the Fox News political talk show The Five, which aired weekdays at 5:00 P.M. ET.
This marked a pivotal moment in his career as he began to gain prominence in political commentary.
In 2015, Gutfeld transitioned to hosting a new weekly late-night talk show on Fox News called The Greg Gutfeld Show, initially airing on Saturdays at 10:00 P.M. ET.
In February 2021, it was announced that the show would move to weeknights at 11:00 P.M. ET and be renamed Gutfeld!. This change in time slot and show title marked yet another success in Gutfeld’s career.
In August 2021, Gutfeld! achieved a significant milestone by surpassing The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in nightly ratings, becoming the highest-rated late-night talk show in the United States.
It averaged 2.12 million nightly viewers, outperforming other late-night competitors such as The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
By the end of 2021, the combined viewership of Gutfeld! and The Five averaged over five million viewers, solidifying his status as a prominent figure in political commentary and late-night television.
Throughout his career, Gutfeld has also made guest appearances on popular shows such as Coffee with Scott Adams and The Adam Carolla Show, further expanding his reach and influence in the media landscape.
Recognition
In the latter part of 2021, Gutfeld received recognition as the 12th most influential individual in American media, a prestigious acknowledgment bestowed by the Mediaite website.
Apology to Canadians
In a Red Eye segment that aired on March 17, 2009, Gutfeld and his panel discussed Canadian Lieutenant General Andrew Leslie’s statement regarding the Canadian Armed Forces needing a one-year “synchronized break” post their mission in Afghanistan in 2011.
During the discussion, comedian panelist Doug Benson made a remark implying that Canada wasn’t actively involved in the war.
Gutfeld added a comment suggesting that it was an opportune moment to invade Canada, considering their perceived lack of military presence.
This segment, posted on YouTube shortly after the reported deaths of four Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan, sparked widespread outrage.
At the time, Canada had been leading the NATO mission in Kandahar Province, one of the most challenging areas due to high opposition and casualties.
In response to the controversy, Canadian Defence Minister Peter MacKay called for an apology from Fox, characterizing the comments as “despicable, hurtful, and ignorant.” Gutfeld, acknowledging the satirical and irreverent nature of his show, issued an apology: “The March 17 episode of Red Eye included a segment discussing Canada’s plan for a ‘synchronized break,’ which was in no way an attempt to make light of troop efforts.
However, I realize that my words may have been misunderstood. It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women, and families of the Canadian military, and for that, I apologize.”
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Gutfeld made statements implying that media outlets were manipulating viewers emotionally by broadcasting footage from the conflict for profit.
Fox News foreign affairs correspondent Benjamin Hall, who was reporting from Kyiv, countered this assertion by emphasizing the authenticity of the media coverage.
Tragically, a few days later, Hall suffered serious injuries, and a fellow journalist was killed during a surprise attack by Russian forces. Gutfeld’s mother-in-law, the mother of Elena Gutfeld, was also evacuated from Ukraine with the assistance of Fox News colleagues Steve Brannigan and Lucas Tomlinson.
Comments on the Holocaust
During the July 24, 2023 broadcast of The Five, Gutfeld and co-host Jessica Tarlov discussed a controversial educational curriculum in Florida public schools.
The curriculum aimed to teach students about the skills that enslaved individuals developed for their personal benefit.
Tarlov, who identified as Jewish, expressed her disagreement with the curriculum and questioned whether a similar argument could be made for those who perished in the Holocaust.
Gutfeld referenced Viktor Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning,” suggesting that survivors of the Holocaust must have possessed skills or usefulness.
On July 25, the Auschwitz Memorial responded to Gutfeld’s statement via Twitter, emphasizing the need to contextualize such remarks and stating that they do not represent the complex history of the Holocaust.
Andrew Bates, deputy White House press secretary, condemned Gutfeld’s comments as “a horrid, dangerous, extreme lie” that insulted the memory of those who suffered due to enslavement.
Additionally, The Daily Beast reported strong dissent among unnamed Fox News employees, with one producer calling it “a disgusting thing to say” and another insider suggesting it could jeopardize Gutfeld’s career.
Personal Life of Greg Gutfeld
Greg Gutfeld’s personal life reflects a blend of intriguing experiences and interests. While he has had his share of public attention, there are several aspects of his life that provide a deeper understanding of the man beyond his media persona.
Presidential Election
Gutfeld mentioned that he cast his vote via mail in the 2016 presidential election. However, The Washington Post’s examination of voting records did not yield any evidence of his participation. Gutfeld acknowledged the possibility of missing the official deadline for his mail-in vote.
Marriage and Family Life
As of 2018, Greg Gutfeld calls New York City home, where he resides with his wife, Elena Moussa, who hails from Russia.
Their union has its origins in London, where Gutfeld spent three years and crossed paths with Elena Moussa, who worked as a photo editor.
Their relationship has been a significant part of Gutfeld’s life, reflecting his international connections.
Religious Background
Gutfeld’s upbringing was within the Roman Catholic faith, and he even served as an altar boy during his youth. However, he now describes himself as an “agnostic atheist,” suggesting a shift in his religious beliefs over the years.
This transformation reflects his personal journey towards a different perspective on matters of faith and spirituality.
Passion for Music
Beyond his media career, Greg Gutfeld is an avid fan of hard rock and heavy metal music. He has openly discussed his appreciation for various bands, with a particular mention of Power Trip.
In 2020, Gutfeld paid tribute to Power Trip’s singer, Riley Gale, following his untimely death. His enthusiasm for music adds another layer to his multifaceted personality.
Guest Appearances and Interests
Members of the heavy metal band GWAR have made several appearances on Gutfeld’s show, showcasing his interest in the genre.
These interactions highlight his willingness to engage with diverse guests and topics. Gutfeld’s openness to exploring different interests contributes to his dynamic character.
Libertarian Identity
Greg Gutfeld identifies as a self-described libertarian, aligning himself with the principles of limited government intervention and individual liberties.
His libertarian beliefs provide insight into his political philosophy and perspectives on governance.
In summary, Greg Gutfeld’s personal life encompasses a range of experiences and interests that complement his career in media and commentary.
From his international marriage to his evolving religious beliefs and passion for music, Gutfeld’s personal journey enriches the understanding of the man behind the public persona.