Howard Stern

Guide Note:Radio personality, comedian, writer and producer Howard Stern hosts the syndicated radio talk show The Howard Stern Show.

During a radio career that has spanned over thirty years, Stern's unabashed and outspoken treatment of current events, involving controversial, sexual, and racial humor, along with his continued refusal to submit to content and censorship restrictions imposed by the FCC, have resulted in him being the most fined radio personality in history. However, he is also the highest paid: In 2004, after Clear Channel decided not to renew his contract, Stern signed a 5 year, $500 million contract with Sirius Satellite Radio.

The self-proclaimed "King of all Media," Stern has written and produced a variety of television programs and penned two bestselling books. His 1993 autobiography Private Parts, is the fastest selling book in publisher Simon & Schuster's history and became the basis for the 1997 hit movie of the same name, in which Stern starred as himself.

Stern married his high school sweetheart, Alison Stern in 1978, and the couple had three daughters: Emily, Debra and Ashley. Howard and Alison Stern divorced amicably in 2001. Since 2000, Stern has been dating actress and model Beth Ostrosky, who is 18 years his junior, and announced their engagement in February of 2007.

Fast Facts

1. Full name: Howard Allan Stern
2. Born: January 12, 1954
3. Hometown: Queens, New York
4. Height: 6'5"
5. Bachelors degree in Communications from Boston University

Quotes:

1. "It dawned on me that I would never make it as a straight deejay, so I started to mess around. It was unheard-of to mix talking on the phone with playing music. It was outrageous, It was blasphemy."
2. "I always resented the label of 'shock jock' that the press came up with for me. Because I never intentionally set out to shock anybody."
3. "I still feel like I gotta prove something. There are a lot of people hoping I fail. But I like that. I need to be hated."