Greg Gutfeld is an American television host, political commentator, and author who hosts the late-night show “Gutfeld!” on Fox News. Born in 1964, he became the first cable news host to consistently beat traditional network late-night programs in ratings. He also co-hosts “The Five” on Fox News and has authored multiple New York Times bestselling books.
From Magazine Editor to Television Personality
Greg Gutfeld’s career path took him from print journalism to becoming one of Fox News’ most recognizable faces. His journey began far from the television studio—in the world of magazine publishing.
After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley with a degree in English in 1987, Gutfeld started as a staff writer at Prevention magazine. He worked his way through several Rodale Press publications before landing the editor-in-chief position at Men’s Health in 1999. His editorial work caught attention, though not always for positive reasons.
In 2000, Gutfeld moved to Stuff magazine as editor-in-chief, where circulation grew from 750,000 to 1.2 million under his leadership. However, a publicity stunt in 2003 that involved hiring people with dwarfism to disrupt a Magazine Publishers of America conference led to his termination. He then edited Maxim UK from 2004 to 2006, though his contract ended without renewal after circulation declined.
These magazine years shaped his irreverent style and willingness to push boundaries—traits that would later define his television career.
The Red Eye Era: Building a Late-Night Foundation
Gutfeld’s television career began on February 5, 2007, when Fox News launched “Red Eye with Greg Gutfeld.” The show aired at 3 a.m. Eastern Time and mixed political satire with pop culture commentary in an unconventional format.
The program featured Bill Schulz as sidekick and Andy Levy as ombudsman from 2007 to 2013. Despite its graveyard time slot, Red Eye developed a devoted following among viewers who appreciated its comedic take on news and current events.
Gutfeld hosted Red Eye for eight years, creating a template for mixing politics and humor that would inform his later work. He left the show in February 2015, with Tom Shillue taking over as host.
The Five: Daytime Panel Success
In July 2011, while still hosting Red Eye, Gutfeld joined Fox News’ new roundtable show “The Five” as a co-host and panelist. The program airs weekdays at 5 p.m. Eastern Time and features five personalities discussing political and cultural topics.
The Five quickly became one of Fox News’ highest-rated programs. By the end of 2021, the combined viewership for Gutfeld’s two shows averaged over five million viewers. His role on The Five continues today, making him one of the few Fox News personalities to host multiple daily programs.
Gutfeld! Makes Late-Night History
On May 31, 2015, Fox News launched “The Greg Gutfeld Show,” airing Saturdays at 10 p.m. The weekly format allowed Gutfeld to build on his Red Eye experience with better production values and more mainstream appeal.
The show’s success led to a major expansion. In February 2021, Fox News announced the program would move to weeknights at 11 p.m. On April 5, 2021, the renamed “Gutfeld!” debuted in its new time slot.
The results shocked the television industry. In August 2021, Gutfeld! overtook “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in nightly ratings, averaging 2.12 million viewers. This made it the highest-rated late-night talk show in the United States—a remarkable achievement for a cable news program competing against established network entertainment shows.
The show moved again in July 2023 to 10 p.m. Eastern Time, technically removing it from the “late-night” category but maintaining its format and audience success.
Author and Published Works
Beyond television, Gutfeld has established himself as a successful author with nine published books. His writing covers political satire, social commentary, and self-help parody.
Notable titles include “The Joy of Hate” (2012), “Not Cool: The Hipster Elite and Their War on You” (2014), and “How To Be Right: The Art of Being Persuasively Correct” (2015). His most recent book, “The King of Late Night,” discusses his success in late-night television.
Multiple titles have reached New York Times bestseller status, adding another revenue stream and expanding his influence beyond Fox News viewers.
Personal Life and Background
Gregory John Gutfeld was born on September 12, 1964, in San Mateo, California. He grew up in a Catholic household and attended Junípero Serra High School, an all-boys Catholic school in San Mateo.
He married Elena Moussa, a Russian photo editor, in 2004 after they met in London. Gutfeld lived in London for three years while editing Maxim UK. The couple resides in New York City and announced the birth of their daughter in December 2024 on The Five.
Gutfeld describes himself as an agnostic atheist and a libertarian. He’s a fan of heavy metal music and has featured bands like GWAR on his shows. He’s spoken publicly about his politics evolving during college, saying he became conservative by being around liberals and libertarian by being around conservatives.
Controversial Moments and Public Reactions
Gutfeld’s career has included several high-profile controversies. In March 2009, a Red Eye segment mocked the Canadian military, leading to outrage after airing just days following Canadian soldier deaths in Afghanistan. Canadian Defense Minister Peter MacKay called the remarks “despicable, hurtful, and ignorant.” Gutfeld apologized, saying his words were misunderstood.
In 2022, Gutfeld suggested media coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was emotionally manipulative for profit. Fox foreign affairs correspondent Benjamin Hall, reporting from Kyiv, publicly rebuked Gutfeld on air. Days later, Hall was seriously injured in an attack that killed two other journalists.
In July 2023, during a discussion about the Florida education curriculum, Gutfeld made comments about Holocaust survivors that drew widespread criticism. The Auschwitz Memorial and the White House both issued statements disagreeing with his remarks.
More recently, in July 2025, Gutfeld faced backlash for suggesting conservatives should “reclaim” the word “Nazi,” comparing it to how other groups have reclaimed slurs. Critics accused him of normalizing Nazi ideology.
The New York Times has described his style as “insult conservatism” that allows him to “frame any serious argument as a joke and any joke as a serious argument.”
Media Influence and Rankings
Gutfeld’s influence in American media has been tracked by various outlets. In late 2021, Mediaite named him the 12th-most influential person in American media. He rose to 10th place in 2022, recognized for his combined 6 million viewers across both shows.
His ranking dropped to 23rd in 2023 following controversial statements, but he returned to 12th place in 2024. These rankings reflect both his viewership success and the controversy surrounding his commentary.
His shows consistently rank among Fox News’ top-rated programs, making him a key figure in the network’s lineup.
Live Tours and Stand-Up
Gutfeld has expanded beyond television into live performance. He’s currently conducting the “GUTFELD LIVE ’25” tour with special guest Tom Shillue, performing at venues across the United States.
Tour dates in 2025 include stops in Sugar Land, Texas, in October and Atlantic City, New Jersey, in November. These live shows allow fans to experience his comedic style in person and represent another business venture beyond his television work.
FAQs
What shows does Greg Gutfeld host on Fox News?
Gutfeld hosts “Gutfeld!” weeknights at 10 p.m. Eastern Time and co-hosts “The Five” weekdays at 5 p.m. on Fox News Channel.
How did Greg Gutfeld beat network late-night shows?
Gutfeld! overtook traditional late-night programs in August 2021 by averaging 2.12 million viewers, more than Colbert, Fallon, and Kimmel during that period.
What is Greg Gutfeld’s educational background?
Gutfeld graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English.
Is Greg Gutfeld married?
Yes, Gutfeld has been married to Elena Moussa, a Russian photo editor, since 2004. They have one daughter born in December 2024.
What magazines did Greg Gutfeld edit before television?
Gutfeld served as editor-in-chief of Men’s Health (1999-2000), Stuff magazine (2000-2003), and Maxim UK (2004-2006).
What is Greg Gutfeld’s political affiliation?
Gutfeld describes himself as a libertarian, stating that his politics evolved during his college years, as both liberals and conservatives surrounded him.
The Impact on Cable News Entertainment
Greg Gutfeld’s success demonstrates how cable news has adapted entertainment formats traditionally dominated by broadcast networks. His ability to compete with established late-night hosts represents a shift in how audiences consume political comedy and commentary.
Whether viewed as a breakthrough success or a controversial figure, Gutfeld has undeniably changed the late-night television landscape. His combination of political satire, current events discussion, and entertainment appeal continues to attract millions of viewers nightly.
His career trajectory—from magazine editor to television personality to bestselling author—shows how media professionals can build influence across multiple platforms. The sustainability of his ratings success and his position within Fox News suggest his impact on cable news programming will continue shaping the industry for years to come.
Get detailed insights, news highlights, and engaging updates on Greg Gutfeld and his Fox News show directly from Keyjournal.
