Geraldo Rivera

About

Geraldo Rivera is an American journalist, author, attorney, and talk show host best known for hosting the talk show "Geraldo" from 1987 to 1998. Born on July 4, 1943, in Brooklyn, New York, Rivera started his career as a reporter for WABC-TV in New York before he became a correspondent for ABC's "20/20". He earned a reputation for his investigative journalism and won a Peabody Award in 1972 for his report on the neglect and abuse of patients with intellectual disabilities at Staten Island's Willowbrook State School. Apart from journalism, Rivera is also a prolific author with several books to his name, most of them focused on prominent legal cases and political issues.

Associated With

Geraldo Rivera, renowned American journalist, television host, attorney, and author, has an extensive network of associations within the media industry. He started his career as a reporter for WABC-TV and subsequently gained fame for his work on ABC's "20/20" program. Since the 1970s, Rivera has interacted and collaborated with multiple significant figures in the industry, such as Barbara Walters and Hugh Downs. His 11-year run on the daytime talk show, "Geraldo," led him to encounter various television personalities. His later roles involved contributions to the Fox News Channel, where he worked closely with other media figures including Bill O'Reilly, Sean Hannity, and Shepard Smith. Geraldo has also had a brief stint in the acting world, making appearances on shows like "Nash Bridges" and "All My Children". As for dating, Rivera has been married five times, with his most well-known relationship with actress and singer Edyta Sliwinska from Dancing with the Stars. Given his five decades in the public eye, Rivera’s professional and personal life is intertwined with countless personalities from the media world.

Career Highlights

• 1970: Geraldo Rivera started his career as a reporter for WABC-TV in New York.
• 1972: Rivera won the Peabody Award, making a name for himself during an exposé on the neglect and abuse of patients at Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, New York.
• 1986: He hosts Geraldo, a daytime talk show, which runs until 1998.
• 1988: Rivera received the Alumnus of the Year Award from the University of Arizona.
• 1997: He switches from broadcasting to investigative reporting, joining NBC News as a correspondent for the news magazine program, Dateline NBC.
• 2001: Rivera moved to Fox News Channel, where he hosted the program Geraldo at Large, and appeared regularly on Fox News Channel programs such as The Five.
• 2007: He was awarded with the "Black Emblems of FEMA 2005" by Madeleine Cosman for his report and coverage of New Orleans and Katrina.
• 2009: Rivera released his autobiography titled The Geraldo Show: A Memoir, detailing major parts of his career.
• 2014: Rivera competes in the Celebrity Apprentice.
• 2016: Rivera came second in the Dancing with the Stars competition on season 22 of the show.
• 2019: Rivera was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia's Hall of Fame.

Notable Awards

• Geraldo Rivera is a well-known journalist and author who has won several notable awards throughout his career. Some of these awards are:
• Peabody Award: He won this highly prestigious award in 1972 for "Willowbrook: The Last Great Disgrace," an investigative report that exposed the horrific conditions at the Willowbrook State School for children with mental disabilities in Staten Island, New York.
• Seven Emmy AwardsAnnual awards recognizing excellence in the television industry, presented by the Academy of Televis...: Rivera has been awarded multiple Emmy Awards for his work in journalism. These awards recognize excellence in various areas of television production, including news and documentaries.
• Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award: He won this award in 1983 for his report “Destruction of the Family", which shed light on the repercussions of drug addiction.
• It's also worth noting that while he might not have won, he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize.
• Beyond these awards, Rivera has been recognized for his commitment to journalism in numerous other ways throughout his career. However, personal opinions abound, and not everyone views his contributions in the same light.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Geraldo Rivera Movie/TV Show?

Geraldo Rivera is best known as a talk show host and reporter, rather than an actor in movies or TV shows. However, his self-titled talk show "Geraldo" (1987-1998) is arguably his most popular television effort. The show was known for its controversial topics and flamboyant presentation, and it brought Rivera considerable recognition. He also gained significant attention for his work as an investigative reporter, notably on the news magazine program "20/20". Rivera's other well-known appearances include being a regular contributor to Fox News.

How Did Geraldo Rivera Get Famous?

Geraldo Rivera, a renowned journalist and TV personality, gained his fame due to his prolific career in news broadcasting spanning multiple decades. He started his career as a reporter for WABC-TV in New York where his investigative journalism specializing in uncovering corrupt practices caught national attention. But it was the popular ABC program "20/20," and his controversial talk show "Geraldo" which really propelled him into national prominence. His ability to engage with sensitive topics, pragmatic interviews with influential figures, and flamboyant investigative methods, helped solidify his position as a well-known figure in the media industry.