Joy Behar

In the kaleidoscopic world of American comedy, few figures have remained as resilient and relevant as Joy Behar. Best known for her longstanding role as a co-host on the hit daytime talk show "The View," Behar's journey from humble beginnings to the zenith of television prominence is a vivid narrative of perseverance, adaptability, and unyielding humor. Born Josephine Victoria Occhiuto on October 7, 1942, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Behar was the only child of Italian-Catholic parents. Her father, Gino Occhiuto, was a truck driver for Coca-Cola, while her mother, Rose, was a seamstress. The familial environment was one of solid working-class roots, imparting onto Behar the values of hard work and resilience. Despite growing up in a relatively conventional household, it was here that her witty humor and outspoken nature began to take form. Behar attended Queens College, earning a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1964, and later went on to study acting at the HB Studio in Greenwich Village. Initially, she pursued a career in teaching, working as a high school English teacher in the late 1960s. Still, the call of the stage proved too enchanting to ignore. By the late 1970s, in her thirst to perform, Behar took her first steps into the stand-up comedy circuit—a domain then predominantly male—navigating clubs in New York City with her distinct blend of humor that was sharp, self-effacing, and, at times, provocatively political. Her early comedic work soon garnered attention, and the 1980s saw a burgeoning career take off. Television gigs followed, with Behar featuring on shows like HBO's "One Night Stand" and "Women of the Night." Her style, deeply influenced by her personal experiences and often zeroing in on societal norms, parlayed well into a national audience slowly becoming more receptive to female comedians who spoke their truth with audacity and intelligence. It was in 1997 that the pivotal moment in Behar's career arrived: the inception of "The View." Created by broadcasting luminary Barbara Walters, the show was a novel experiment that assembled a panel of diverse women with varying viewpoints. Behar joined the original lineup, which included Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, and Debbie Matenopoulos. The concept of women from different walks of life discussing the news of the day within a single platform was groundbreaking, and Behar brought to it her sharp wit and cutting humor, along with a knack for voicing opinions that both resonated with and challenged the audience. Throughout her tenure on "The View," Behar developed a reputation for her fearless candor, often generating headlines for her pointed commentary on politics and social issues. Her interactions with co-hosts and guests alike were marked by a mix of levity and seriousness, balancing the show’s dynamic with her instinctual skepticism and comedic timing. Outside of "The View," Behar continued to expand her television presence. She hosted "The Joy Behar Show" on HLN from 2009 to 2011 and later on Current TV with "Joy Behar: Say Anything" from 2012 to 2013. Her return to "The View" in 2015 after a two-year hiatus was celebrated by fans and reflected her sustained appeal in an ever-evolving media landscape. Behar’s career, however, is not solely defined by television appearances. Her other endeavors include writing and theatre work. Her off-Broaday one-woman show "Me, My Mouth and I" opened to favorable reviews, affirming her prowess as a solo performer. Additionally, Behar co-authored humorous books that capitalized on her comedic insight, including "The Great Gasbag: An A-to-Z Study Guide to Surviving Trump World," which mixed satire with serious undertones. Through her decades-spanning career, Behar has amassed a plethora of accolades, not just in awards but in the form of an enduring legacy of female empowerment in media. Her voice has become symbolic of a progressive culture, advocating for feminist ideals and pushing against the conventional framework. Joy Behar's journey has been one of relentless pursuit in the face of challenges that might otherwise have discouraged a less tenacious spirit. Her life—both on-stage and off—reflects an innate ability to morph, adapt, and above all, entertain with an authenticity that strikes at the core of her audience’s sensibilities. Whether behind a stand-up microphone under the neon lights of New York’s comedy clubs or at the table of "The View" under the sunny veil of daytime television, Behar has remained grounded in her role as a fearless purveyor of comedic truth, steadfast in her belief that laughter remains one of the most profound agents of change.