Gregory John Gutfeld is an American television host, political commentator, author, and satirist best known for anchoring the late-night talk show Gutfeld! and co-hosting the afternoon roundtable program The Five on the Fox News Channel. Over a multi-decade career spanning print journalism, magazine editing, and cable television, he built a distinct brand of conservative-libertarian commentary infused with counter-cultural humor.
Understanding his trajectory requires looking past internet rumors and examining his actual path from print publishing offices to prime-time television dominance. This profile details his background, professional timeline, publishing achievements, and television milestones.
Early Life and Education
Born on September 12, 1964, in San Mateo, California, Gutfeld grew up in a Catholic household and served as an altar boy during his youth. He attended Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo before enrolling at the University of California, Berkeley.
He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. During his undergraduate years, exposure to various political philosophies began shifting his worldview. He has often noted that his political perspective evolved through direct interaction with both left-leaning and right-leaning peers, steering him toward a blend of conservative values and libertarian skepticism of moral authority.
Print Journalism and Magazine Publishing
Before entering cable television, Gutfeld spent over a decade as a print writer and editor. His early professional steps included an internship at the conservative publication The American Spectator, assisting writer R. Emmett Tyrrell.
From there, he moved through several roles in the magazine industry:
- Prevention Magazine: Worked as a staff writer handling health and lifestyle topics.
- Rodale Press: Served as an editor across various corporate publications.
- Men's Health: Joined as a staff writer in 1995 and advanced to editor-in-chief in 1999.
- Stuff Magazine: Took over as editor-in-chief under Dennis Publishing, successfully expanding print circulation from roughly 750,000 to 1.2 million copies during his tenure.
- Maxim UK: Acted as head of editorial operations for the British edition of the magazine.
- The Huffington Post: Served as one of the early blogging contributors when the platform launched in the mid-2000s.
Transition to Television and Fox News
Gutfeld entered the television landscape in 2007 when Fox News launched Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld, a late-night talk and satire program airing in the early morning hours at 3:00 AM. Running until 2015, Red Eye developed a cult following for its irreverent panel discussions on pop culture, politics, and media oddities.
In 2011, he became one of the original co-hosts of The Five, a roundtable discussion program featuring a rotating panel of Fox News personalities analyzing daily news items. The show consistently ranks among the most-watched programs on cable news.
The Rise of Gutfeld!
In May 2015, Gutfeld launched a weekly Saturday night program titled The Greg Gutfeld Show. The format combined monologues, comedic sketches, and panel commentary.
In March 2021, Fox News transitioned the program to a weeknight time slot, shortening the name to Gutfeld! The show frequently challenges traditional network late-night programs in total viewership ratings, establishing a unique foothold for conservative comedy on weekday television. Further details on his broadcast schedule are available directly on the Fox News Shows Page.
Published Books and Authorship
As a New York Times bestselling author, Gutfeld has penned numerous books exploring cultural critique, political correctness, and personal philosophy. His major written works include:
- The Scorecard: The Official Point System for Keeping Score in the Relationship Game (1997)
- The Bible of Unspeakable Truths (2010)
- The Joy of Hate: How to Triumph over Whiners in the Age of Phony Outrage (2012)
- Not Cool: The Hipster Elite and Their War on You (2014)
- How To Be Right: The Art of Being Persuasively Correct (2015)
- The Gutfeld Monologues: Classic Rants from the Five (2018)
- The Plus: Self-Help for People Who Hate Self-Help (2020)
His publisher provides additional summaries and release logs via the Simon & Schuster Author Page.
Personal Life
Gutfeld married Elena Moussa, a Russian photo editor, in 2004 after meeting her while living and working in London. The couple resides in New York City. They share a daughter, whose birth was announced on-air during an episode of The Five in December 2024.
Outside of broadcasting, Gutfeld is an outspoken enthusiast of hard rock and heavy metal music, frequently referencing bands like Gwar and Power Trip on his programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Greg Gutfeld's educational background?
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley, graduating in 1987.
Which shows does Greg Gutfeld host on Fox News?
He hosts the weeknight late-night comedy program Gutfeld! and serves as a co-host on the afternoon discussion panel The Five.
Did Greg Gutfeld work in print media before television?
Yes. Before moving to cable television, he spent over a decade as a magazine editor, serving as editor-in-chief for publications such as Men's Health and Stuff.
How many books has Greg Gutfeld written?
He has authored ten books, several of which achieved New York Times bestseller status.
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