Howard Stern

 
Radio and television talk show host and "shock-jock" disc jockey. Born Howard Allan Stern, on January 12, 1954 in Queens, New York, and raised on Long Island. Though a shy, awkward youth, he knew from the age of five that he wanted to be on the radio. More than that, he planned to be a radio star. He would eventually realize that dream, and dramatically change the medium of radio. Known for his bravado, Stern has anointed himself "King of All Media."
After high school, Stern went to Boston University. He was fired from his first radio program there for airing offensive material. A trend had started. After graduating magna cum laude, Stern took radio jobs, first in the suburbs of Manhattan, then in Connecticut, Detroit, Washington, and finally New York City. It was in Washington that Stern established his reputation for outrageousness, with characters like "Out-of-the-Closet" Stern and songs like "Fifty Ways to Rank Your Mother."

In 1982 Stern went home to New York to become the afternoon DJ at WNBC-AM. After three bumpy years with the station's management, Stern was fired. He was soon back on the air in New York, this time with WXRK, otherwise known as K-Rock.

Stern took over K-Rock's morning drive slot in 1986. And the rest, as they say, is history. With the support of his employers, Infinity Broadcasting, Stern and his program flourished. By 1991 he was the number one radio host in New York City.

Infinity decided to try syndicating their star nationally. The Howard Stern Show debuted in Philadelphia in 1986 and went on to air in Los Angeles and Washington. The program is now heard across the country.

 Stern has also published two autobiographical books, Private Parts and Miss America. Both books have sold in record-breaking numbers. The feature film version of Stern's first book, Private Parts was released in 1997, with Stern playing himself. That same year, Stern signed another contract with Infinity. The contract included plans for the creation of a Howard Stern Radio Network which would provide stations with programming hand-picked by Stern.
Stern tried transferring his radio success to television in 1998, when he started The Howard Stern Radio Show on Saturday nights, challenging the waning audience numbers of Saturday Night Live. After considerable hype, with Stern himself proclaiming he would dominate the ratings, his show opened with disappointing numbers.

Throughout the year 2000, Stern threatened retirement. He signed a new deal with Infinity in December 2000, however, and will remain on the air for at least another five years. In November 2002, Stern announced he will be producing the remakes of two teen comedies, Rock 'n' Roll High School and Porky's.

Stern separated from his wife and college sweetheart, Alison, in October 1999 after over 20 years of marriage. They have three daughters: Emily, Debra, and Ashley Jade.