Jon Stewart facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jon Stewart
Stewart in 2016
Birth name	Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz
Born	(1962-11-28) November 28, 1962 (age 62) New York City, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up television film books
Education	College of William & Mary (BA)
Years active	1987–present
Genres	Political/news satire observational comedy surreal humor insult comedy deadpan
Subject(s)	Mass media American politics Jewish culture current events pop culture
Spouse	Tracey Lynn McShane ​ (m. 2000)​
Children	2

Jon Stewart (born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz; November 28, 1962) is an American comedian, television host, actor, and writer. He is best known for hosting the satirical news program The Daily Show on Comedy Central from 1999 to 2015. In 2024, he returned to host the show on Mondays.

Stewart is famous for using humor to comment on news and politics. He also hosted The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+ from 2021 to 2023. Over his career, he has won many awards, including 24 Primetime Emmy Awards and 2 Grammy Awards. He also received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2022, a top honor for comedians.

Besides hosting, Stewart has acted in movies like Big Daddy and directed the film Rosewater. He is also known for his work helping 9/11 first responders and military veterans get healthcare benefits.

Early Life and School

Jon Stewart was born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz in New York City. His mother, Marian, was a teacher, and his father, Donald, worked for the state of New Jersey. His family is Ashkenazi Jewish, with relatives who came to the United States from Europe. He is the second of four brothers.

When Stewart was eleven, his parents divorced. He later stopped using his last name, Leibowitz, because of a difficult relationship with his father. In 2001, he legally changed his last name to Stewart.

He grew up in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Stewart has said that he was sometimes bullied as a child because of his Jewish identity. He grew up during a time of major events like the Vietnam War and the Watergate scandal, which made him question what he heard from people in power.

After graduating from Lawrence High School in 1980, Stewart went to the College of William & Mary in Virginia. He played on the college soccer team and was a starter for three years. He graduated in 1984 with a degree in psychology.

Before becoming a famous comedian, Stewart had many different jobs. He worked as a puppeteer for children with disabilities, a soccer coach, a busboy, and a bartender.

Career in Comedy and Television

Starting in Stand-Up

Stewart was known for being funny in school. In 1986, he moved back to New York City to become a stand-up comedian. He performed for the first time at The Bitter End comedy club, the same place where his hero, Woody Allen, got his start.

He became a regular performer at the Comedy Cellar, a famous club in New York. In 1989, he got his first TV job as a writer for Caroline's Comedy Hour. He also co-hosted Short Attention Span Theater on Comedy Central. His career grew after he appeared on Late Night with David Letterman in 1992.

The Jon Stewart Show

In 1993, Stewart got his own talk show on MTV called The Jon Stewart Show. It was a big hit and was the first talk show on the network. The show later moved to other channels but was canceled in 1995. David Letterman was a fan of the show and was its final guest.

Acting and Other TV Work

Stewart acted in several movies. He had small roles in The First Wives Club and The Faculty. He also played a main character in the movie Playing by Heart.

In 1997, he had a recurring role on The Larry Sanders Show, where he played himself as a possible replacement for the show's host. He also hosted a White House Correspondents' dinner, an event where comedians make jokes for journalists and politicians.

Host of The Daily Show

In 1999, Stewart became the host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central. The show used humor to talk about the day's top news stories, especially in politics. Stewart and his team made fun of politicians, news reporters, and the media.

Under Stewart, the show became very popular and won many awards. It won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety Series for ten years in a row (2003–2012). The show also won two Peabody Awards for its special coverage of the 2000 and 2004 U.S. presidential elections.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, US Navy Admiral Michael Mullen, being interviewed by Jon Stewart in 2011.

One of Stewart's most memorable moments was on his first show after the September 11, 2001, attacks. He gave a tearful and heartfelt speech about the tragedy and the strength of New York City.

In 2010, Stewart and fellow comedian Stephen Colbert hosted the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington, D.C. It was a large public gathering that attracted over 200,000 people.

In 2013, Stewart took a break from the show to direct his first movie, Rosewater. The film tells the true story of a journalist who was imprisoned in Iran. During his break, correspondent John Oliver hosted the show.

Leaving The Daily Show

Stewart interviewing President Barack Obama in 2015

In February 2015, Stewart announced he was leaving The Daily Show. His final show was on August 6, 2015. The episode featured many former correspondents, including Stephen Colbert and Steve Carell, who came back to say goodbye. The show ended with a musical performance by Bruce Springsteen. After Stewart left, Trevor Noah became the new host.

Work After The Daily Show

After leaving the show, Stewart signed a deal with HBO to create new projects. He also worked as an executive producer on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

In 2020, he directed his second film, Irresistible, a political comedy starring Steve Carell.

From 2021 to 2023, he hosted a new show on Apple TV+ called The Problem with Jon Stewart. Each episode focused on one major issue facing the country.

Return to The Daily Show

In January 2024, it was announced that Stewart would return to The Daily Show. He now hosts the show every Monday and also serves as an executive producer for the rest of the week.

Helping Others

Stewart has used his fame to support important causes, especially for 9/11 first responders and military veterans.

Support for 9/11 First Responders

Stewart speaking at a press conference for 9/11 first responders in 2019.

For many years, Stewart has fought for healthcare for the police officers, firefighters, and construction workers who got sick after working at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks.

He often featured sick first responders on The Daily Show to bring attention to their problems. In 2019, he gave a powerful and emotional speech to the U.S. Congress, asking them to provide permanent funding for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Soon after his speech, Congress passed a bill to fund healthcare for 9/11 victims and first responders for the rest of their lives.

Help for Military Veterans

Stewart has also been a strong advocate for military veterans who were exposed to toxic smoke from "burn pits." These were large open-air fires used by the military to burn trash, which created dangerous fumes.

His show The Problem with Jon Stewart highlighted the health issues these veterans faced. He worked hard to get Congress to pass the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. This law expands healthcare access for veterans who were made sick by burn pits and other toxic substances.

The bill faced challenges in the Senate, but Stewart continued to speak out. In July 2022, he held a press conference where he criticized senators for delaying the vote. The bill passed shortly after, and President Joe Biden signed it into law. At the signing ceremony, the President thanked Stewart for his work, saying, "We owe you big, man."

Personal Life

In 2000, Stewart married Tracey Lynn McShane. They have two children. In 2001, they both legally changed their last names to Stewart. Jon and his wife are both vegans.

In 2013, the Stewarts bought a farm in New Jersey. They turned it into a sanctuary for abused animals rescued from slaughterhouses and live markets. The farm is now a safe home for many animals, including cows, pigs, sheep, and goats.

Stewart is a big fan of the New York Mets baseball team and the musician Bruce Springsteen.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Honors

Stewart with the Peabody Award that he won with The Daily Show in 2005

• Primetime Emmy Awards: Stewart has won 24 Emmy Awards for his work on The Daily Show and The Colbert Report.
• Grammy Awards: He has won two Grammy Awards, including one for Best Comedy Album.
• Peabody Awards: The Daily Show won three Peabody Awards, which honor excellence in broadcasting.
• Mark Twain Prize for American Humor: In 2022, he received this award, which is considered the highest honor in comedy.
• Bronze Medallion: In 2019, he was given New York City's highest civilian honor for his work helping 9/11 victims.

See also

In Spanish: Jon Stewart para niños

• New Yorkers in journalism
• Political satire