Share

Star Jones biography

1 photo

Quick Facts

Best Known For

Star Jones is a lawyer and television personality best known for co-hosting ABC's The View from 1997 until 2006.

Quiz

Think you know about Biography?

Answer questions and see how you rank against other players.

Play Now

In 1991, Jones was promoted to senior assistant district attorney for Kings County. That same year, the Brooklyn District Attorney's office was contacted about choosing an attorney for a possible Court TV appearance. A colleague referred the station to Star Jones. That summer, Jones made her first appearance on television as legal consultant for Court TV.

Taking her Practice to Television

Jones became especially well known for her work during the William Kennedy Smith rape trial in Palm Beach, Florida. Jones' work caught the attention of Jeff Zucker, then executive producer of the Today show. "She had knowledge of the legal aspects, but she talked like a regular person," Zucker recalls. The show first booked her as a guest. A few weeks later, she was offered a full-time contract as an NBC-TV legal expert. She left her position at the Kings County District Attorney's office in 1992.

Jones covered many highly publicized cases while at NBC, including the rape trial of former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson and the criminal proceedings for the four Los Angeles Police Department officers involved in the 1991 beating of Rodney King. After her work on these two cases, she began appearing regularly on NBC's morning show, Today, as well as the NBC Nightly News show.

In 1994, just two years after starting at NBC, Jones was offered partial ownership of her own program. The show Jones & Jury debuted in September of 1994. In the show, Star Jones mediated small claims court cases in California and explained legal proceedings to her viewers. After hearing the case and Jones' explanations, the jury/audience would then come to a verdict on the case. With the audiences' participation, Jones would then give the final decision.

In 1995, after one year on Jones & Jury, Star was hired as a senior correspondent and chief legal analyst for the news magazine, Inside Edition. During this time, Jones was assigned to cover the O.J. Simpson case. While many reporters vied for an interview with Simpson during the civil proceedings, Jones was the only news correspondent able to gain access to the former football star.

"The View"

Two years after starting at Inside Edition, Star was asked to join the current events program, The View, on ABC. The show, created by journalist Barbara Walters, featured five women-Jones, Walters, journalist Meredith Viera, comedian Joy Bahar, and actress Debbie Matenopoulis-engaging in a daily round table discussion.

Star Jones' wit, candor and polarizing opinions, along with The View's success, brought her to public prominence. The cast of The View, with Star Jones as a co-host, was nominated for an Emmy every year from 1999 to 2006. The show also won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1997 and 2004.

In 1998, Jones released a book of autobiographical essays, You Have to Stand for Something, or You'll Fall for Anything. It became an immediate best seller. In the book, Jones shared her opinions on a range of subjects, including television, God and politics.

ADVERTISEMENT
9542452 9542452
profile id: 9542452
profile name: Star Jones
profile occupation:
related profile id: 9542452
related profile name: Star Jones
related profile occupation:
related profile img: /imported/images/Biography/Images/Profiles/J/Star-Jones-9542452-1-402.jpg
related profile URL: /people/star-jones-9542452
profile
pop
Your Connections

Sign in with Facebook to see how you and your friends are connected to famous icons.

specific profile connection
See More Bio Connections
Your Friends' Connections
specific friend connection
Profile Connections
    Show More Connections
    Included In These Groups
      23 others

      Female Talk Show Hosts

      Taking on topics of politics, entertainment, women's issues and more, female talk show hosts have proven to be every bit as engaging, intelligent, and funny as their male counterparts. Oprah Winfrey's 25-year-reign as the queen of talk is unparalleled, but many other female talk show hosts have come into their own as well, including Tyra Banks, Ellen DeGeneres, Sally Jessy Raphael and Kelly Ripa.

      Visit Biography.com's Women's History group to explore more biographies, photos and videos of some the world's most fascinating women.

      View group

      Female Talk Show Hosts 26 people in this group

      23 others

      Weight Loss Winners

      It's hard to face weight gain—but it's even harder to face it when the whole world is commenting on your expanding waistline. Here are a group of stars who got in shape despite the scrutiny of the press. Their efforts serve as an inspiration to the millions out there trying to live a healthier lifestyle.

      View group

      Weight Loss Winners 26 people in this group

      42 others

      Girl Scouts

      Did you know that since 1912, nearly 50 million girls in the United States have joined the Girl Scouts? Girl Scouts helped an amazingly diverse array of famous women develop a strong foundation of courage, confidence and character. It's no surprise then that quite a few famous women spent time in the sash. Celebrities who got their start selling cookies and earning merit badges include Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter and actress/writer Carrie Fisher; former first ladies Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush and Nancy Reagan; Olympic skaters Bonnie Blair and Peggy Fleming; astronaut Sally Ride; and iconic women's rights activist Gloria Steinem. Browse our collection of inspiring famous Girl Scouts who have certainly earned merit badges in their fields.

      View group

      Girl Scouts 45 people in this group

    See all related groups

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Celebrity Connections

    Show More Connections
    Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!