Where Are They Now? The Shocking Current Lives Of The Original Five 'The View' Hosts

The View, a revolutionary program that redefined daytime television, first premiered on August 11, 1997, introducing a groundbreaking panel of five women. The show’s creator, legendary broadcast journalist Barbara Walters, envisioned a multi-generational discussion where women from different backgrounds and political viewpoints could openly debate the "Hot Topics" of the day. Decades later, the original cast members have forged diverse and sometimes surprising career paths, with one host remaining a permanent fixture, one now a respected judge, and another a celebrated game show host.

As of late 2024, the legacy of the original panel—Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Debbie Matenopoulos, and Joy Behar—continues to shape the landscape of talk television. The recent passing of its creator and the 25th-anniversary celebrations have brought the original hosts back into the spotlight, offering a fresh look at the trailblazing careers they’ve built since first gathering around that famous table on ABC.

The Original Trailblazers: Full Biography and Profile

The inaugural panel of The View was meticulously chosen to represent a wide spectrum of ages, careers, and perspectives. This lineup created a dynamic, often fiery, chemistry that instantly captivated millions of viewers and established the show as a cultural touchstone in network television.

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• Barbara Walters (Creator & Host):
  • Born: September 25, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts.
  • Died: December 30, 2022, in New York City, New York.
  • Role on The View: Creator, Executive Producer, and Co-host/Moderator (1997–2014).
  • Key Career Milestones: First female co-anchor of the ABC Evening News; long-time co-host of 20/20; renowned interviewer.
  • Legacy: A pioneer for women in journalism, known for her groundbreaking interviews with world leaders and celebrities.
• Meredith Vieira (Moderator):
  • Born: December 30, 1953, in Providence, Rhode Island.
  • Role on The View: Original Moderator (1997–2006).
  • Key Career Milestones: Co-anchor of the Today Show (2006–2011); host of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?; host of her own syndicated talk show.
  • Specialty: Broadcast Journalist, known for her warm, balanced, and authoritative moderation style.
• Star Jones (Co-Host):
  • Born: March 24, 1962, in Badin, North Carolina.
  • Role on The View: Co-host (1997–2006).
  • Key Career Milestones: Former New York City homicide prosecutor; legal correspondent for NBC News; best-selling author.
  • Specialty: Attorney and Legal Analyst, providing a sharp, legal perspective to the discussions.
• Joy Behar (Co-Host):
  • Born: October 7, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York.
  • Role on The View: Original Co-host (1997–2013; returned 2015–present).
  • Key Career Milestones: Stand-up comedian; host of her own talk shows on HLN and SiriusXM; actress.
  • Specialty: Comedian and political commentator, providing liberal and comedic relief.
• Debbie Matenopoulos (Co-Host):
  • Born: December 13, 1974, in Richmond, Virginia.
  • Role on The View: Original Co-host (1997–1999).
  • Key Career Milestones: Host of E!'s The Daily 10; co-host of Hallmark Channel's Home & Family; author.
  • Specialty: Television Host and Journalist, representing the younger, "Daughter" perspective of the original panel.

The Current Lives of the Original 'View' Hosts: 2024 and Beyond

The panel's composition was designed to encompass four generations: the "Daughter" (Debbie Matenopoulos), the "Professional" (Meredith Vieira), the "Lawyer" (Star Jones), and the "Comedian" (Joy Behar), all guided by the "Veteran Journalist" (Barbara Walters). Today, their careers reflect the unique niches they carved out during their time on the show.

Joy Behar: The Unstoppable Constant

Joy Behar stands as the longest-serving co-host in the show's history and the only member of the original five to still hold a seat at the table. After a brief hiatus from 2013 to 2015, Behar returned to her role, continuing to offer her signature liberal commentary and comedic timing on the daily "Hot Topics." Her presence provides a direct, tangible link to the show's 1997 debut. In addition to her work on the daytime talk show, she continues to perform stand-up comedy and is an established voice in political discourse, making her one of the most recognizable faces in modern television.

Meredith Vieira: From Moderator to Game Show Star

Meredith Vieira, the original moderator who brought a journalistic gravitas and warmth to the table, has successfully transitioned her career into a variety of roles since leaving The View in 2006. She went on to co-anchor the Today Show and host the syndicated game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. Her current primary role is as the host of the popular syndicated game show, 25 Words or Less, a project that showcases her quick wit and engaging personality. Vieira also maintains her ties to broadcast journalism as a contributing anchor for Dateline NBC and a special correspondent for NBC News. In a testament to her enduring legacy, she is set to receive a major New England-NATAS award in 2025, confirming her status as a respected figure across multiple genres of television.

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Star Jones: Trading the Panel for the Bench

Star Jones, the attorney who lent a sharp, legal perspective to the original cast, has fully embraced her judicial side. Since her departure in 2006, Jones has served as a legal correspondent across various networks, but her most notable current role is as a judge on the long-running arbitration-based reality court show, Divorce Court. Taking the bench in 2022, Judge Star Jones uses her background as a former New York City prosecutor to preside over cases, bringing her signature blend of assertiveness and legal expertise to a new audience. Her career trajectory from lawyer to television personality to a presiding judge is a unique path in daytime television history.

Barbara Walters' Enduring Legacy and the Next Generation

The original panel's foundation was the vision of Barbara Walters, who passed away in late 2022 at the age of 93. Walters conceived of The View as a program that would allow a group of women to discuss everything from politics to pop culture, a concept that was initially met with skepticism by ABC executives. Her genius was recognizing that "celebrities are news" and that a panel of strong, opinionated women would drive conversation and ratings. Her legacy extends beyond the show, as she remains a benchmark for female broadcast journalists worldwide.

The original hosts have frequently reunited in recent years, most notably for the show's 25th anniversary and for tributes to Walters following her death. These moments underscore the powerful bond and topical authority they established. While the show has seen over two dozen co-hosts since 1997, including figures like Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Lisa Ling, and Whoopi Goldberg, the influence of the original five remains undeniable. The show's format—the lively "Hot Topics" debate—is a direct result of Walters' original mandate.

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Even the youngest original host, Debbie Matenopoulos, has continued her career in lifestyle and entertainment. After her time on the Hallmark Channel's Home & Family (which ended in 2021), Matenopoulos has focused on her role as an author, releasing her popular cookbook, Greekish. Her openness to the possibility of a return to the show, which she has occasionally teased in interviews, keeps her connected to the show’s enduring narrative. The fact that she and her former co-hosts still speak fondly of the "tough love" mentorship they received from Walters shows the depth of the show's impact on their lives and careers.

From the seasoned journalist to the stand-up comedian, the original cast of The View proved that a panel of women could not only lead a major network show but also shape the cultural conversation for generations to come. Their varied and successful careers since 1997 serve as a powerful testament to the show's initial, groundbreaking vision.