Les Moonves facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Les Moonves
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Moonves in 2009
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| Born | October 6, 1949 New York City, US
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| Alma mater | Bucknell University (BA) Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre |
| Occupation | Media executive |
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| Children | 4 |
Leslie Roy Moonves (born October 6, 1949) is an American business leader in the media world. He was the chairman and CEO of CBS Corporation from 2003 until he stepped down in September 2018. He is married to TV personality Julie Chen.
Moonves held many important jobs at CBS from July 1995 to September 2018. He was also on the board of directors for ZeniMax Media from 1999 to 2021. Before CBS, he was a co-president and co-chief operating officer (COO) of the original Viacom. He became chairman of CBS in February 2016.
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Early Life and Education
Leslie Roy Moonves was born in Brooklyn, New York City. He grew up in Valley Stream, New York. His mother was a nurse. He has one sister and two brothers.
He went to Valley Stream Central High School. After high school, he attended Bucknell University, graduating in 1971. He first studied science but later changed his major to Spanish. He also acted in some plays. After college, he moved to Manhattan to become an actor. He graduated from the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. He had a few small TV roles before deciding to change his career path.
His Career in Television
Moonves started his career at 20th Century Fox Television. There, he was in charge of movies and mini-series. He also worked as a vice president for movies and mini-series.
Working at Lorimar and Warner Bros.
In 1985, Moonves joined Lorimar Television. He was in charge of movies and mini-series. By 1988, he became the head of creative affairs. From 1990 to 1993, he was president at Lorimar.
In July 1993, he became president and CEO of Warner Bros. Television. This happened when Warner Bros. and Lorimar Television joined together. During this time, he approved popular shows like Friends and ER.
Leading CBS (1995–2018)
Moonves joined CBS in July 1995. He started as the President of CBS Entertainment. From 1998 to 2003, he was president and CEO of CBS Television. In 2003, he was promoted to chairman and CEO of CBS.
In late 2005, CBS had many top-rated shows. Six of the ten most-watched primetime shows were on CBS. These included CSI, Without a Trace, and NCIS.
In 2006, Moonves helped create The CW Television Network. This new network was formed by combining CBS-owned United Paramount Network (UPN) with The WB Television Network.
Moonves was a highly paid CEO. In 2017, he earned $68.4 million. In 2013, Moonves was honored by being inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. He became chairman of CBS in February 2016.
Moonves was also interested in buying smaller film companies. This would help expand his company's CBS Films division. In 2017, he made a deal with Imagine Entertainment. This company is run by filmmaker Ron Howard and producer Brian Grazer.
Howard Stern Lawsuit
In 2006, CBS filed a lawsuit against Howard Stern. CBS claimed Stern broke his contract. Stern had moved to Sirius Satellite Radio without fully sharing details of his new deal. Stern said he would fight the lawsuit. He felt CBS was trying to "bully" him. The lawsuit was later settled.
ZeniMax Media
Moonves was on the board of ZeniMax Media from 1999 until 2021. This company makes video games. He had a personal investment in the company. He also attended launch parties for games like Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
Moon Rise Unlimited
In 2019, it was reported that Moonves started his own company. It is called Moon Rise Unlimited. The company is located in West Hollywood, California.
Public Appearances
Moonves sometimes appeared on television shows. In 2003, he played himself in an episode of The Practice.
From 2004 to 2015, Moonves often appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. He would talk with Letterman about current events and the CBS network.
In 2015, Moonves appeared on the first episode of The Late Late Show with James Corden. He played the head of CBS who sends out a golden ticket. This was a fun nod to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He also appeared on the premiere of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in 2015.
Personal Life
Moonves is related to Paula Ben-Gurion. She was the wife of David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel.
In 1978, Moonves married Nancy Wiesenfeld. They had three children, including W magazine editor in chief Sara Moonves. They divorced in 2004.
Moonves later married Julie Chen in Mexico in 2004. Chen is a reporter for The Early Show and host of Big Brother and The Talk. In 2009, they had a son.
Moonves lives in Beverly Hills, California. He also owns homes in Malibu, California and New York City.
He practices Transcendental Meditation. He has said it helps him feel calm.
Giving Back
In 2015, Moonves and Chen made a large donation to the University of Southern California (USC). Because of their gift, a media center was named the Julie Chen/Leslie Moonves and CBS Media Center. Moonves was also a member of the USC School of Cinematic Arts' board.
In September 2018, when Moonves stepped down from CBS, the network announced a donation. CBS and Moonves would donate $20 million to organizations that support important social causes.
See also
In Spanish: Les Moonves para niños
- Joseph Ianniello, former acting CEO at CBS
- Jim Lanzone, President and CEO of CBS Interactive
- Martha Minow, law professor and CBS board member
- Shari Redstone, vice-chairwoman of CBS
- Sumner Redstone (1923–2020), former executive chairman of CBS
