Jon Stewart Biography

Comedian, actor. Born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz on November 28, 1962, in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. In 1984, Stewart graduated from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he studied psychology and played on the men’s soccer team. After bouncing among numerous jobs, Stewart moved to New York City in 1986 to break into the comedy club circuit. Three years later, he was hosting Comedy Central’s Short Attention Span Theater, and in 1993 launched MTV’s first talk show, The Jon Stewart Show.

Throughout the 1990s, Stewart appeared on numerous television programs, including a regular role as himself on HBO’s The Larry Sanders Show. Other credits include the HBO comedy special Jon Stewart: Unleavened, guest host of CBS' The Late Late Show with Tom Snyder and HBO's Mr. Show with Bob & David.

In January 1999, Stewart took over as anchorman for Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, a popular late-night show that dubs itself “the most trusted name in fake news.” With fast-paced dialog and sardonic wit, Stewart, who is also the show’s co-executive producer, has become the most outspoken critic of Washington and the established news media.

In addition to The Daily Show, Stewart is an in-demand host as well as a feature film actor. He has hosted numerous award shows, including the Grammy Awards in 2001 and 2002, and the Academy Awards in 2006. He is also scheduled to host the Academy Awards again in 2008. As an actor, his film career has been mixed, from the box office bomb Death to Smoochy (2002) with Robin Williams and Edward Norton to the successful Adam Sandler vehicle Big Daddy (1999). He also had roles in the romantic drama Playing by Heart (1998) and the horror-comedy The Faculty (1998). More recently, Stewart has lent his voice to several animated films, including Doogal (2006).

Also a talented writer, Stewart’s work has been published in several magazines, including The New Yorker and Esquire, and he has authored two books. His first effort was Naked Pictures of Famous People (1998), a collection of humorous, satirical essays. Written with Ben Karlin and David Javerbaum, his next book, America (the book): A Citizen’s Guide to Democracy Inaction (2004), became a best seller.

Stewart and wife Tracey McShane have been married since 2000. They have a son, Nathan Thomas, and a daughter, Maggie Rose.

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