Jon Stewart

For other people named Jon Stewart, see Jon Stewart (disambiguation).

Jon Stewart
Stewart in 2016
Birth nameJonathan Stuart Leibowitz
Born (1962-11-28) November 28, 1962 (age 61)
New York City, U.S.
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • television
  • film
  • books
EducationCollege of William & Mary (BA)
Years active1987–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Spouse
Tracey Lynn McShane
​
(m. 2000)​
Children2
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Jon Stewart (born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz; November 28, 1962) is an American comedian, writer, producer, director, political commentator, actor and television host. The long-running host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central from 1999 to 2015, Stewart returned to the satirical news program in 2024. He hosted The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+ from 2021 to 2023.[1] Stewart has received numerous accolades, including 23 Primetime Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and five Peabody Awards. He was honored with the Bronze Medallion in 2019, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2022.[2]

Stewart started as a stand-up comedian but branched into television as host of Short Attention Span Theater for Comedy Central. He went on to host You Wrote It, You Watch It (1992–1993) and then The Jon Stewart Show (1993–1995), both on MTV, until The Jon Stewart Show was retooled, dropped by the network and moved to syndication. He has also appeared in several films, including Big Daddy (1999) and Death to Smoochy (2002). Stewart became host of The Daily Show in 1999, where he also was a writer and co-executive producer. After he joined, The Daily Show steadily gained popularity and critical acclaim, and during his tenure won numerous Emmy Awards and was nominated for news and journalism awards.

Stewart hosted the 78th and 80th Academy Awards. He is the co-author of the best-selling satirical books America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction in 2004,[3] and Earth (The Book): A Visitor's Guide to the Human Race in 2010. He executive produced The Colbert Report (2005–2014), The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore (2015–2016), and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015–present). In February 2024, he returned to The Daily Show for Monday episodes, as well as in the role of an executive producer.[4]

After leaving The Daily Show, Stewart maintained a low profile in entertainment industry circles, but used his celebrity and voice in a sustained advocacy for 9/11 first responders[5] and war veterans' health benefits. In 2019, he received the New York City Bronze Medallion for his "tireless advocacy, inspiration, and leadership (helping to) pass the permanent authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act".[6] He continued using his platform as an advocate for veterans by being instrumental in helping pass the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, which expands healthcare access and funding to veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service including burn pits.[7]

  1. ^ "Apple reveals series title for Jon Stewart's highly anticipated return to television as "The Problem with Jon Stewart," to debut in fall 2021 on Apple TV+" (Press release). Apple Inc. April 7, 2021. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  2. ^ "Jon Stewart Warns "Authoritarianism" Is the Greatest Threat to Comedy as He Receives Mark Twain Humor Prize". The Hollywood Reporter. April 25, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2023.
  3. ^ "The top 100 selling books of 2004". USA Today. December 20, 2004. Archived from the original on September 14, 2006. Retrieved November 6, 2006.
  4. ^ Kennedy, Mark (January 24, 2024). "Jon Stewart will return to 'The Daily Show' as host — just on Mondays". Associated Press. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Gold, Michael (June 12, 2019). "How Jon Stewart Became a Fierce Advocate for 9/11 Responders". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 10, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
  6. ^ "The City of New York Honors the Advocates of a Permanently-Funded Victim Compensation Fund". nyc.gov. The City of New York. December 16, 2019. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
  7. ^ "Biden praises Jon Stewart while signing burn pit bill: 'We owe you big'". The Week. August 10, 2022. Retrieved August 14, 2022.