Lawrence O'Donnell is currently not married. The prominent MSNBC host of The Last Word is single, though he was previously married to actress and therapist Kathryn Harrold. Public interest in his relationship status remains high due to his decades-long visibility in political journalism, television writing for programs like The West Wing, and nightly media presence.
Understanding his past marriage, family life, and current personal stance reveals how the veteran broadcaster balances a high-profile media career with a private personal life.
Marriage History with Kathryn Harrold
Lawrence O'Donnell was married to acclaimed film and television actress Kathryn Harrold for nearly two decades. The couple tied the knot on Valentine's Day in 1994. During their marriage, Harrold transitioned away from Hollywood acting roles—where she starred in features like Raw Deal and Modern Romance—to pursue higher education and a second career. She earned a master's degree and became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), eventually setting up a clinical practice in Los Angeles.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the pair maintained a relatively low-profile family life despite O'Donnell's heavy involvement in Washington D.C. politics as a Senate aide and later his rise in television production and cable news commentary.
Divorce and Current Relationship Status
After 19 years of marriage, O'Donnell and Harrold quietly divorced in 2013. The separation was handled with discretion, keeping out of aggressive tabloid headlines. Since their divorce was finalized, O'Donnell has not remarried. He keeps his dating life strictly out of the public eye, focusing his public platform almost exclusively on nightly political analysis, historical breakdowns, and electoral commentary on MSNBC.
Harrold continues to practice therapy in California, maintaining her professional life away from the entertainment spotlight.
Family and Children
Lawrence O'Donnell and Kathryn Harrold share one daughter, Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O'Donnell, who was born in 1995. Elizabeth grew up largely outside the intensive glare of the television industry, though both parents have supported her educational and professional path.
O'Donnell has occasionally referenced personal milestones or family experiences on air or in interviews, but he heavily shields his family members from political vitriol and media intrusion. His close bond with his daughter remains a central pillar of his personal life outside the newsroom.
Professional Impact and Public Persona
Before anchoring The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, O'Donnell built a diverse career that heavily influenced his worldview and approach to public life. He worked as a senior legislative advisor and committee staff director for U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, transitioned into Hollywood as a writer and producer for Aaron Sorkin's political drama The West Wing, and created the political series Mister Sterling.
This trajectory across Capitol Hill, network television rooms, and cable news newsrooms means his personal life is often a subject of curiosity for viewers who watch him dissect national policy every weeknight. Despite this scrutiny, he maintains a clear boundary between his analysis of public figures and his own private arrangements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lawrence O'Donnell currently married?
No, Lawrence O'Donnell is not currently married. He is single following his divorce from actress Kathryn Harrold in 2013.
Who was Lawrence O'Donnell's wife?
He was married to Kathryn Harrold, a former film and television actress who later transitioned into a career as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Do Lawrence O'Donnell and Kathryn Harrold have children?
Yes, they share one daughter, Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O'Donnell, born in 1995.
What is Lawrence O'Donnell's background before MSNBC?
Before hosting The Last Word, O'Donnell worked as a top legislative aide in the United States Senate and served as a writer and producer for the NBC drama The West Wing. You can read more about his broadcast history via MSNBC.
