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8 Surprising Facts About Joy Behar’s Age And Enduring 2025 Career Milestones

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Joy Behar, the sharp-witted comedian and longest-tenured co-host of ABC’s The View, continues to defy expectations with her active career and outspoken presence in her ninth decade. As of today, December 23, 2025, the legendary television personality is 83 years old, a fact that makes her continued professional output—including a brand-new theatrical production—all the more remarkable. Her story is a testament to the idea that a second, even a third, act in a career can be the most successful, transitioning from a humble start to becoming one of the most recognizable and polarizing figures in daytime television.

Her advanced age is often a point of discussion, but it has only seemed to fuel her comedic fire and her willingness to tackle sensitive political and social issues head-on. The 2024–2025 season has seen Behar maintain her role at the iconic "Hot Topics" table while simultaneously returning to her theatrical roots, proving that her energy and ambition are far from waning. This deep dive explores the key facts of her life, career, and the most recent updates that keep her firmly in the spotlight.

Josephine Victoria Occhiuto: The Full Biography and Profile

Joy Behar’s life before becoming a household name is a fascinating story of reinvention. Born in the midst of World War II, her background laid the foundation for the resilient, no-nonsense personality fans know today.

  • Full Name: Josephine Victoria Occhiuto
  • Date of Birth: October 7, 1942
  • Current Age (as of Dec. 23, 2025): 83 years old
  • Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York
  • Parents: Gino Occhiuto (truck driver) and Rose Occhiuto (seamstress)
  • Education:
    • Queens College (B.A. in Sociology)
    • Stony Brook University (M.A. in English Education, 1966)
  • First Career: High school English teacher in Long Island, New York
  • First Marriage: Joseph Behar (1965–1981)
  • Daughter: Eve Behar (born 1970)
  • Second Marriage: Steve Janowitz (married 2011, dated for 29 years)

From English Teacher to Comedy Icon: Behar’s Career Transformation

One of the most surprising aspects of Joy Behar's career is the dramatic shift she made in her late 30s. Before the stand-up circuit, she was a professional educator.

The Unexpected Start in Academia

Behar earned her Master of Arts degree in English Education from Stony Brook University in 1966. Her initial career path was far removed from the entertainment world, working as a high school English teacher in Lindenhurst, New York. This background in education and public speaking, however, undoubtedly honed the articulate and often confrontational style that would later define her comedy and television career.

The Breakthrough into Stand-Up and Television

The transition to comedy began in the 1980s, where she quickly gained traction in the New York stand-up scene. She secured an early role as a receptionist on ABC’s Good Morning America, which provided her with a crucial entry point into the network. Her big break, however, came in 1997 when she was selected as one of the original co-hosts for the groundbreaking talk show, The View, alongside Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, and Debbie Matenopoulos.

She is the only original host who has maintained a presence on the show for nearly three decades, with a brief, notable absence from 2013 to 2015. Behar's tenure has been marked by her fearless liberal commentary and her ability to inject humor into tense political debates, making her an essential, and at times controversial, voice on the show.

The Latest Chapter: Joy Behar’s 2024–2025 Projects and Personal Life Updates

Despite being in her early 80s, Joy Behar’s professional life is busier than ever, demonstrating a commitment to her craft that extends well beyond her daily television duties. The 2024–2025 period has been particularly significant for her creative output and personal endeavors.

The Off-Broadway Debut of "My First Ex-Husband"

The most recent and significant development in Behar's career is the successful run of her original play, My First Ex-Husband. The production, a bold and heartfelt series of stories adapted from her own life, premiered at Bay Street in August 2024. It then made its highly anticipated Off-Broadway debut at the MMAC Theatre in New York City in January 2025. The play showcases Behar’s razor-sharp wit and zero-filters approach as she dives into the messy truths of love and relationships, a theme that resonates strongly with her candid on-air personality.

A Look at Her Enduring Personal Life

Behar’s personal life has been as colorful as her professional one. Her marriage to first husband Joseph Behar lasted 16 years, producing her only child, daughter Eve Behar, who was born in 1970. However, her most famous relationship is with her current husband, Steve Janowitz. The couple famously dated for 29 years before finally tying the knot in 2011. Their long courtship and eventual marriage are often subjects of her comedic material.

In a separate, late-2024 development, Behar made headlines for her real estate moves. In November 2024, she reduced the price of her beloved four-bedroom Sag Harbor, New York, dwelling, slashing $2 million off the original asking price. This Hamptons home sale is a minor but notable detail in her life outside of the studio.

The Longevity of "The View"

Joy Behar's return to The View in 2015 after a two-year hiatus cemented her status as the show’s enduring anchor. She has consistently used her platform to speak out on political issues, often stating that she feels an obligation to influence people's thinking, particularly on matters of national importance. Her long tenure—over 26 years in total—is a remarkable feat of longevity in the volatile world of daytime television.

From a high school classroom to the Off-Broadway stage and the most powerful "Hot Topics" table on television, Joy Behar's career trajectory proves that age is truly just a number. At 83, she is not slowing down, but rather embracing new creative endeavors while maintaining her position as one of the most influential, and funniest, voices in American media.

age joy behar
age joy behar

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