Greg Gutfeld is an American television personality, writer, and commentator, best known for hosting “The Greg Gutfeld Show” on Fox News. As of 2024, Greg Gutfeld has an estimated net worth of $18 million. Born on September 12, 1964, in San Mateo, California, Gutfeld has built a successful career in television and publishing, making significant contributions to the media landscape.
Early Life and Education
Gregory Gutfeld was raised in a Roman Catholic household by his parents, Jacqueline and Alfred Gutfeld, alongside his three sisters: Christine, Jeanne, and Leslie. He attended Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo before pursuing higher education at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1987, he graduated with a B.A. in English, setting the stage for his future career in media and journalism.
Career Beginnings
After graduating from college, Greg Gutfeld started his career as an intern at “The American Spectator,” a conservative magazine. He soon transitioned to a staff writer position at “Prevention” magazine. Gutfeld’s career took a significant turn when he moved to Emmaus, Pennsylvania, to work as an editor at several Rodale Press magazines.
In 1995, Gutfeld began writing for “Men’s Health” and was promoted to editor-in-chief in 1999. Despite his efforts, he was replaced in 2000. He then took on the role of editor-in-chief at “Stuff” magazine, where he managed to increase the publication’s circulation significantly. However, his tenure at “Stuff” ended in 2003 after a controversial stunt involving dwarves at a conference, which led to his dismissal.
Rise to Prominence
Following his departure from “Stuff,” Gutfeld was hired by Dennis Publishing and served as the editor of “Maxim U.K.” from 2004 to 2006. His contract was not renewed due to a decline in readership during his tenure. Despite this setback, Gutfeld continued to make his mark in the media industry by contributing to “The Huffington Post” from 2005 to 2008, often targeting colleagues with his sharp wit and sarcasm.
In 2007, Greg Gutfeld joined Fox News Channel as the host of the late-night show “Red Eye w/ Greg Gutfeld.” The show aired at 3 a.m. and ran for over 1,800 episodes until 2017. In 2011, Gutfeld was promoted to co-host and panelist on “The Five,” another Fox News show. His success on “The Five” led to the launch of “The Greg Gutfeld Show” in 2015, which was later rebranded simply as “Gutfeld!”
Achievements and Ratings Success
Greg Gutfeld’s shows have achieved notable success in television ratings. Between February and May 2023, “Gutfeld!” averaged 1.8 million nightly viewers, surpassing rival late-night shows like “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” In May 2020, ratings for “The Greg Gutfeld Show” reached an average of 2.862 million viewers across four episodes, outperforming competitors like Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel. This success earned Gutfeld recognition from former President Donald Trump, who praised his achievements in a tweet.
Writing Career
In addition to his television career, Greg Gutfeld is a prolific author, having written nine books, four of which became New York Times Best Sellers. His first book, “The Scorecard: The Official Point System for Keeping Score in the Relationship Game,” was published in 1997. He followed it with “The Scorecard at Work: The Official Point System for Keeping Score on the Job” in 1999. Other notable works include “The Bible of Unspeakable Truths” (2010), “The Joy of Hate: How to Triumph over Whiners in the Age of Phony Outrage” (2012), and “The Plus: Self-Help for People Who Hate Self-Help” (2020).
Personal Life
Greg Gutfeld married Elena Moussa, a former model and photo editor for “Maxim Russia,” in December 2014. The couple met in London while Gutfeld was working for “Maxim U.K.” and currently resides in New York City. Raised as a Roman Catholic, Gutfeld has since identified as an “agnostic atheist.” He has expressed his political views as libertarian, though he was once a conservative during his college years.
Controversies and Public Statements
Throughout his career, Greg Gutfeld has made several controversial statements. He once criticized the Canadian military, for which he later apologized. In 2022, he downplayed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, suggesting the media was amplifying the situation to provoke an emotional response. In 2023, Gutfeld faced backlash for comments implying that slaves and Holocaust survivors developed skills beneficial for their personal lives.
Conclusion
Greg Gutfeld’s career as a television personality, writer, and commentator has been marked by significant achievements and occasional controversies. With a net worth of $18 million, he continues to influence the media landscape through his work on Fox News and his published books. Gutfeld’s ability to engage and entertain audiences has made him a prominent figure in American media, with a legacy that continues to grow.
