Joy Behar

Joy Behar
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Name	Joy Behar
Birth name	Josephine Victoria Occhiuto
Birth date	October 7, 1942
Birth place	Brooklyn, New York, New York City
Occupation	Comedian, actress, television host

Joy Behar is a renowned American comedian, actress, and television host, best known for her outspoken and witty commentary on The View, a daytime talk show she co-hosts alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, and Ana Navarro. Born in Brooklyn, New York City, Behar developed an interest in comedy and acting at a young age, drawing inspiration from legendary comedians like Lenny Bruce, Woody Allen, and Joan Rivers. She attended SUNY Stony Brook and later earned a master's degree in English education from Stony Brook University, where she was influenced by the works of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. Behar's early life and education laid the foundation for her future success in the entertainment industry, with notable figures like Barbra Streisand, Robert De Niro, and Martin Scorsese hailing from her hometown.

● Early Life and Education

Behar was born Josephine Victoria Occhiuto to a family of Italian-American descent, with her parents, Rose Occhiuto and Gino Occhiuto, instilling in her a strong sense of humor and creativity. She grew up in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, surrounded by the vibrant culture of New York City, which would later influence her comedic style, reminiscent of Richard Pryor and George Carlin. Behar's early education took place at Queens College, where she studied sociology and was exposed to the works of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. She later attended Stony Brook University, earning a master's degree in English education, with a focus on the works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. During her time at Stony Brook University, Behar was influenced by the Civil Rights Movement and the Feminist Movement, which would later shape her comedic perspective, similar to that of Dick Gregory and Gloria Steinem.

● Career

Behar's career in comedy began in the 1980s, when she started performing stand-up comedy in New York City clubs like Catch a Rising Star and Carolines on Broadway, alongside comedians like Eddie Murphy and Chris Rock. She quickly gained recognition for her sharp wit and sarcastic humor, earning comparisons to Phyllis Diller and Joan Rivers. Behar's big break came when she appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, hosted by Johnny Carson, and later on Late Night with David Letterman, hosted by David Letterman. She also made appearances on Saturday Night Live, working with Lorne Michaels and Bill Murray, and The Larry Sanders Show, created by Garry Shandling. Behar's career was further boosted by her appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, hosted by Oprah Winfrey, and The Howard Stern Show, hosted by Howard Stern.

● The View

In 1997, Behar joined the cast of The View, a daytime talk show created by Barbara Walters and Bill Geddie. The show, which also features Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, and Ana Navarro, has become a staple of American television, tackling topics like politics, social justice, and pop culture. Behar's outspoken and often humorous commentary has made her a fan favorite, with her opinions on Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama generating significant attention. The show has won numerous awards, including multiple Daytime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award, and has been praised by CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News.

● Other Ventures

In addition to her work on The View, Behar has appeared on numerous other television shows, including The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, hosted by Jon Stewart, and Real Time with Bill Maher, hosted by Bill Maher. She has also written several books, including Joy Shtick: Or What Is the Existential Vacuum and Does It Come with Attachments? and Sheetzucacapoopoo: My Kind of Dog, which have been praised by The New York Times and Publishers Weekly. Behar has also been involved in various charitable organizations, including the American Cancer Society and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and has supported causes like LGBT rights and women's rights, alongside Gloria Steinem and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

● Personal Life

Behar has been married to Steve Janowitz since 2011, and the couple resides in New York City. She has a daughter, Eve Behar Scotti, from a previous marriage, and is a grandmother to two grandchildren. Behar is known for her outspoken and often humorous commentary on her personal life, including her experiences with menopause and aging, which have been discussed on The View and in her books. She has also been open about her politics, supporting Democratic Party candidates like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, and has been critical of Republican Party politicians like Donald Trump and Ted Cruz.

● Filmography

Behar has appeared in numerous films and television shows throughout her career, including Hall Pass, Ice Age: Continental Drift, and 30 Rock. She has also lent her voice to several animated films, including Ice Age: The Meltdown and Frosty Returns, and has made guest appearances on shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and South Park. Behar's filmography is a testament to her versatility as a comedian and actress, with roles in drama, comedy, and animation, alongside Meryl Streep, Robert De Niro, and Tom Hanks. Her work has been recognized by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences and the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, and she has been nominated for several awards, including a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.