Jon Stewart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jon Stewart |
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Stewart in May 2016
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| Birth name | Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz |
| Born | November 28, 1962 New York City, U.S. |
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| Education | College of William & Mary (BA) |
| Years active | 1987–present |
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| Spouse |
Tracey Lynn McShane
(m. 2000) |
| Children | 2 |
Jon Stewart (born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz; November 28, 1962) is a famous American comedian, writer, and TV host. He is best known for hosting The Daily Show on Comedy Central. He hosted it from 1999 to 2015 and returned in 2024.
Stewart also hosted The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+ from 2021 to 2023. He has won many awards, including 23 Primetime Emmy Awards and two Grammy Awards. In 2022, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
He started his career doing stand-up comedy. Later, he hosted TV shows like Short Attention Span Theater and The Jon Stewart Show on MTV. He also appeared in movies such as Big Daddy and Death to Smoochy.
After joining The Daily Show in 1999, the show became very popular. It won many awards for its mix of humor and news. Stewart also helped write and produce the show. He has hosted the Academy Awards twice. He also co-wrote best-selling funny books like America (The Book) and Earth (The Book).
Stewart has also produced other TV shows, including The Colbert Report and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. In February 2024, he came back to The Daily Show as a host for Monday episodes and an executive producer.
After leaving The Daily Show in 2015, Stewart became a strong supporter for 9/11 first responders and war veterans. He helped pass important laws to get them health benefits. For his efforts, he received the New York City Bronze Medallion in 2019.
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Jon Stewart's Early Life and School
Jon Stewart was born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz in New York City. His mother was a teacher, and his father worked in energy. His family came from Jewish immigrants from Poland, Ukraine, and Belarus. He is the second of four sons.
When Jon was eleven, his parents divorced. He didn't have a close relationship with his father. Because of this, he later changed his last name to Stewart. He legally changed it in 2001.
He grew up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, and went to Lawrence High School. He said he was a "leftist" and skeptical of official reports. This was during the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal.
Stewart graduated from The College of William & Mary in 1984. He first studied chemistry, then switched to psychology. He played soccer for the college team. He was known as Jon Leibowitz in the team records. His coach described him as "athletic and feisty."
After college, Stewart had many different jobs. He worked as a puppeteer for children with disabilities and a soccer coach. He was also a caterer, busboy, and bartender. He said working at a bar called City Gardens helped him realize he wasn't "a giant weirdo" and inspired him.
Jon Stewart's Comedy Career
Starting in Stand-Up Comedy (1986–1992)
Jon Stewart moved back to New York City in 1986 to try comedy. He made his first stand-up performance in 1987 at The Bitter End. This was a place where his idol, Woody Allen, also started. He began using the stage name Jon Stewart. He often joked it was because people couldn't say "Leibowitz."
He became a regular at the Comedy Cellar. He performed late at night for two years, developing his style. In 1989, he became a writer for Caroline's Comedy Hour. In 1990, he co-hosted Short Attention Span Theater on Comedy Central. In 1992, he hosted You Wrote It, You Watch It on MTV.
Stewart's career really took off after he appeared on Late Night with David Letterman in 1992. He was even considered to take over Letterman's show later on.
Hosting The Jon Stewart Show (1993–1995)
In 1993, Stewart created The Jon Stewart Show on MTV. It was a talk show and became very popular, second only to Beavis and Butt-Head on the network. Later, the show moved to other TV channels but didn't do as well and was canceled in 1995.
During this time, Stewart also started acting in films. His first movie role was a small part in Mixed Nuts. He also appeared in The First Wives Club, though his scene was cut. He played romantic leads in movies like Playing by Heart and Wishful Thinking. He also had roles in Since You've Been Gone and the horror film The Faculty.
David Letterman was a fan of The Jon Stewart Show. Stewart often filled in for Tom Snyder on The Late Late Show. This led to rumors that Stewart might replace Snyder.
In 1996, Stewart hosted a show in the UK called Where's Elvis This Week?. It was a comedy show where people discussed news. In 1997, he hosted a special for comedian George Carlin. Stewart also had a recurring role playing himself on The Larry Sanders Show.
Leading The Daily Show (1998–2015)
In 1998, Stewart hosted Elmopalooza, a special celebrating Sesame Street. He also guest-starred on sitcoms like The Nanny and Spin City. In the mid-1990s, Stewart started his own production company, Busboy Productions.
Later, Stewart became the host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central. This show combines humor with daily news, especially politics. It often makes fun of politicians and the news media. Stewart said the show's main goal was to be funny. He felt like it was his "bar mitzvah" when he started.
Stewart also appeared in movies like Half Baked and Big Daddy. He often joked about his roles in movies like Death to Smoochy and Doogal. In 2007, he made a cameo in Evan Almighty, making fun of Steve Carell's character.
Stewart hosted almost all episodes of The Daily Show. Other comedians like Stephen Colbert and John Oliver sometimes filled in for him. Stewart won many Emmy Awards for his work on The Daily Show. He also won a Grammy Award for the audiobook of his book America (The Book). The show won Peabody Awards for its coverage of the 2000 and 2004 US presidential elections.
After the September 11, 2001 attacks, The Daily Show started with a tearful Stewart talking about the event. This was a very emotional moment for many viewers.
In 2004, Stewart and his writing team released America (The Book). It was a funny textbook about American government. The book sold millions of copies.
Stewart's production company, Busboy Productions, also created The Daily Show spin-off The Colbert Report. In 2006, Stewart famously questioned Senator John McCain on The Daily Show. In 2008, The New York Times wondered if Stewart was "the most trusted man in America."
In 2010, Stewart and Stephen Colbert held a large event called the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington, D.C. About 215,000 people attended. Stewart was also praised for helping to pass a bill that provided health benefits to 9/11 first responders.
Stewart took a break from The Daily Show in 2013 to direct a film called Rosewater. It was based on the story of journalist Maziar Bahari, who was imprisoned in Iran.
In 2010, Stewart released another book, Earth (The Book). It was a funny guide for aliens visiting Earth after humans are gone. Stewart was called a "satirist-in-chief" and compared to Mark Twain.
Leaving The Daily Show
On February 10, 2015, Jon Stewart announced he would be leaving The Daily Show. His last show was on August 6, 2015. South African comedian Trevor Noah took over as host.
His final show was over an hour long. It featured many former Daily Show correspondents and video messages from people Stewart had joked about over the years. The show ended with a performance by Bruce Springsteen.
After The Daily Show (2015–2023)
After leaving The Daily Show, Stewart was an executive producer for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He also gave occasional comedic speeches about politics and media.
He signed a deal with HBO in 2015 for new digital content. This project was planned to be an animated parody of a news network. However, it was canceled in 2017 due to technical issues.
In 2018, Stewart went on a comedy tour with Dave Chappelle in the US and UK. Stewart also directed a political comedy film called Irresistible, released in 2020.
In 2021, Stewart's new series, The Problem with Jon Stewart, premiered on Apple TV+. The show had hour-long episodes focusing on single topics. It was canceled after two seasons. Some reports said it was due to disagreements with Apple executives over topics like China.
In 2022, there was talk about Stewart running for president, but he quickly said "no thank you" on Twitter.
Return to The Daily Show (Since 2024)
In January 2024, it was confirmed that Jon Stewart would return to The Daily Show. He would host the Monday episodes starting February 12, 2024. He also became an executive producer for the show until 2025. In May 2024, it was announced he would also host a new podcast called The Weekly Show.
Hosting and Public Speaking
Stewart has hosted the Grammy Awards twice, in 2001 and 2002. He also hosted the 78th Academy Awards in 2006 and the 80th Academy Awards in 2008. His performance as Oscar host received mixed reviews at first, but his second time was better.
In 2009 and 2013, Stewart gave speeches honoring musician Bruce Springsteen, who he is a big fan of.
In 2015, Stewart had a funny "feud" with WWE wrestler Seth Rollins. He even appeared on WWE Raw and hosted SummerSlam. He got involved in a match, helping Rollins win. He later explained it was to protect a wrestling record.
In 2016, Stewart joined Barack Obama and Michelle Obama to honor military families. In 2017, Stewart spoke at the funeral of a 9/11 firefighter.
Influences and Legacy
Stewart has said that comedians like George Carlin, Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, and David Letterman influenced his comedy.
Many comedians today say they were influenced by Jon Stewart. These include Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Hasan Minhaj, Samantha Bee, and Trevor Noah.
Politics and Activism
Political Views
Stewart has described his political views as more "socialist or independent" than Democrat. He has voted for Republicans in the past. In 2020, he supported Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren over Joe Biden. He has since criticized Biden on issues like his age and the 2023 Israel-Hamas War. He supports a single-payer healthcare system.
Supporting Writers' Rights (2007–2008)
Stewart played a big part in helping the writers of The Daily Show join a union. This helped other Comedy Central writers unionize too.
Stewart supported the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. When the strike began, The Daily Show went on a break. When Stewart returned, he refused to use the show's full title. He called it A Daily Show with Jon Stewart to show support for his writers.
Advocacy for 9/11 First Responders
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Jon Stewart has used his platform to advocate for 9/11 first responders and veterans. He is known for helping to pass a bill that provided health care and benefits for 9/11 emergency workers. This bill passed after he featured a group of responders on his show.
In 2019, Stewart spoke passionately to Congress. He urged them to provide permanent funding for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. He criticized lawmakers who were not present. His powerful testimony helped the bill pass overwhelmingly. It will fund health care for 9/11 victims and first responders for life.
Helping Pass the PACT Act
Stewart also became a strong advocate for the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. This bill helps veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, like burn pits, during their service. He appeared on many news shows and used social media to push for the bill.
Thanks to his efforts, the PACT Act passed in August 2022. President Joe Biden signed it into law. Biden praised Stewart for his dedication to the issue.
Free Speech Concerns with Apple
In April 2024, Stewart said that Apple stopped him from interviewing the head of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on his podcast. This raised concerns about how much control big companies like Apple have over content.
Jon Stewart's Personal Life
Jon Stewart is not religious, but he comes from a Jewish background.
Marriage and Family
Stewart met his wife, Tracey Lynn McShane, on a blind date in 1995. He proposed to her using a special crossword puzzle. They got married in 2000. In 2001, they both legally changed their last names to Stewart. They have two children.
In 2015, Stewart became a vegetarian for ethical reasons. His wife is a long-time vegan. He later became vegan himself.
Animal Sanctuary
In 2013, Stewart and his wife bought a farm in New Jersey. They turned it into "Bufflehead Farm," a sanctuary for abused animals. Later, they opened a larger animal sanctuary in Colts Neck, New Jersey. It provides a home for animals rescued from slaughterhouses.
Interests
After leaving The Daily Show, Stewart started playing the drums. He said it helped give his life structure. He takes drum lessons from a teacher in New Jersey.
Accolades and Achievements
Jon Stewart and The Daily Show team have won many awards. They received three Peabody Awards for their election coverage in 2000, 2004, and 2016.
The Daily Show won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Variety Series many times. They won for 10 years in a row from 2003 to 2012. Stewart also won a Grammy Award in 2005 for his comedy album America (The Book).
In 2005, Time magazine named Stewart one of the 100 most influential people of the year. He has also received honorary degrees and awards from colleges. In 2009, the President of Liberia made him a chief.
In 2019, Stewart received the Bronze Medallion from New York City. This is the highest award for civilians. He got it for his work helping 9/11 victims and families. In 2022, he received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor for his contributions to comedy.
Images for kids
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Mixed Nuts
Jon Stewart in Mixed Nuts (1994)
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The First Wives Club
Jon Stewart in The First Wives Club (1996)
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Wishful Thinking (1997 film)
Jon Stewart in Wishful Thinking (1997)
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Half Baked
Jon Stewart in Half Baked (1998)
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The Faculty
Jon Stewart in The Faculty (1998)
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Playing by Heart
Jon Stewart in Playing by Heart (1998)
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Big Daddy (1999 film)
Jon Stewart in Big Daddy (1999)
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Committed (2000 film)
Jon Stewart in Committed (2000)
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Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Jon Stewart in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001)
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Death to Smoochy
Jon Stewart in Death to Smoochy (2002)
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The Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina
Jon Stewart in The Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina (2002)
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Doogal
Jon Stewart in Doogal (2006)
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Evan Almighty
Jon Stewart in Evan Almighty (2007)
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The Great Buck Howard
Jon Stewart in The Great Buck Howard (2008)
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The Adjustment Bureau
Jon Stewart in The Adjustment Bureau (2011)
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The Beaver (film)
Jon Stewart in The Beaver (2011)
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Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
Jon Stewart in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
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IF (film)
Jon Stewart in IF (2024)
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Short Attention Span Theater
Jon Stewart in Short Attention Span Theater (1990–1993)
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You Wrote It, You Watch It
Jon Stewart in You Wrote It, You Watch It (1992–1993)
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The Jon Stewart Show
Jon Stewart in The Jon Stewart Show (1993–1995)
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The State (1993 TV series)
Jon Stewart in The State (1994)
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1995 Billboard Music Awards
Jon Stewart in 1995 Billboard Music Awards (1995)
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Where's Elvis This Week?
Jon Stewart in Where's Elvis This Week? (1996)
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Jon Stewart: Unleavened
Jon Stewart in Jon Stewart: Unleavened (1996)
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The Larry Sanders Show
Jon Stewart in The Larry Sanders Show (1996–1997)
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The Nanny
Jon Stewart in The Nanny (1997)
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NewsRadio
Jon Stewart in NewsRadio (1997)
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Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
Jon Stewart in Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1997)
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White House Correspondents' Association
Jon Stewart in White House Correspondents' Dinner (1997)
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Space Ghost Coast to Coast
Jon Stewart in Space Ghost Coast to Coast (1997)
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Mr. Show with Bob and David
Jon Stewart in Mr. Show with Bob and David (1997)
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Elmopalooza
Jon Stewart in Elmopalooza (1998)
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Since You've Been Gone (film)
Jon Stewart in Since You've Been Gone (1998)
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Spin City
Jon Stewart in Spin City (1999)
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The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart in The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (1999–2015, 2024–present)
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43rd Annual Grammy Awards
Jon Stewart in 43rd Annual Grammy Awards (2001)
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44th Annual Grammy Awards
Jon Stewart in 44th Annual Grammy Awards (2002)
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Saturday Night Live
Jon Stewart in Saturday Night Live (2002)
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The Colbert Report
Jon Stewart in The Colbert Report (2005–2014)
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78th Academy Awards
Jon Stewart in 78th Academy Awards (2006)
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American Dad!
Jon Stewart in American Dad! (2006)
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Jack's Big Music Show
Jon Stewart in Jack's Big Music Show (2007)
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The Simpsons
Jon Stewart in The Simpsons (2008)
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80th Academy Awards
Jon Stewart in 80th Academy Awards (2008)
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A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All!
Jon Stewart in A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! (2008)
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Important Things with Demetri Martin
Jon Stewart in Important Things with Demetri Martin (2009–2010)
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The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear
Jon Stewart in The Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear (2010)
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Robot Chicken
Jon Stewart in Robot Chicken (2012)
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Big Time Rush
Jon Stewart in Big Time Rush (2013)
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Phineas and Ferb
Jon Stewart in Phineas and Ferb (2014)
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Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Jon Stewart in Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2014)
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The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore
Jon Stewart in The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore (2015–2016)
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The Jim Gaffigan Show
Jon Stewart in The Jim Gaffigan Show (2015)
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Gravity Falls
Jon Stewart in Gravity Falls (2015)
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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Jon Stewart in The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015–present)
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The Problem with Jon Stewart
Jon Stewart in The Problem with Jon Stewart (2021–2023)
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Live in Front of a Studio Audience
Jon Stewart in Live in Front of a Studio Audience (2021)
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No Responders Left Behind
Jon Stewart in No Responders Left Behind (2021)
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John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in LA
Jon Stewart in John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in LA (2024)
See also
In Spanish: Jon Stewart para niños
- New Yorkers in journalism
- Political satire
