Where Are They Now? The Shocking Status Of The Original 5 'The View' Cast Members In 2025

The original cast of The View, which premiered in 1997, created a television phenomenon that redefined the daytime talk show landscape. Created by the legendary Barbara Walters, the show’s premise was simple yet revolutionary: five women from different generations and backgrounds discussing the "hot topics" of the day. As of late 2025, the lives and careers of the founding panel—Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Joy Behar, and Debbie Matenopoulos—have taken vastly different, and in some cases, surprising paths.

This article provides the most current, up-to-date look at the careers, projects, and recent life events of the five pioneering women who first sat at the iconic table, from the one who remains to the trailblazing journalist whose legacy endures.

The Original Five: Biographies and Current Status (2025 Update)

The original panel consisted of five distinct personalities, each filling a specific role at the table: a veteran journalist (Walters), a moderator (Vieira), a lawyer (Jones), a comedian (Behar), and a younger perspective (Matenopoulos).

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Barbara Walters (Co-Creator, Host, and Executive Producer)

• Born: September 25, 1929, in Boston, Massachusetts.
• Role on The View: Co-Creator, Host, and Executive Producer from 1997 to 2014.
• Departure: Retired from her co-host role in May 2014, but remained an Executive Producer until 2015.
• Current Status: Passed away on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93.

Meredith Vieira (Moderator)

• Born: December 30, 1953, in Providence, Rhode Island.
• Role on The View: Original Moderator from 1997 to 2006.
• Departure: Left to become the co-anchor of the Today Show.
• Current Status: Active broadcast journalist and host. She is a contributing anchor for Dateline NBC and an NBC News special correspondent. Vieira is scheduled to receive the 2025 New England-NATAS award for her distinguished career.

Star Jones (Lawyer/Legal Expert)

• Born: March 24, 1962, in Badin, North Carolina.
• Role on The View: Co-Host and legal expert from 1997 to 2006.
• Departure: Left in a controversial departure in 2006.
• Current Status: Highly active in television and advocacy. Since 2022, she has been the host of the syndicated court show, Divorce Court, which she continues to host in 2025. She is also a National Volunteer for the American Heart Association (AHA), promoting heart health awareness. She was a notable presence at the 2024 Daytime Emmy Awards.

Joy Behar (Comedian)

• Born: October 7, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York.
• Role on The View: Original Co-Host (1997–2013, returned in 2015–Present).
• Departure: Left in 2013 for two seasons to pursue other projects, including her own talk show, before returning in 2015.
• Current Status: The longest-running host and the sole remaining original cast member on The View, which is currently in its 29th season. Her status remains constant, though she recently made headlines for a brief, humorous absence in late 2024/early 2025 after a "very, very, very minor" injury when her iPad fell on her toe.

Debbie Matenopoulos (Youthful Perspective)

• Born: December 13, 1974, in Richmond, Virginia.
• Role on The View: Original Co-Host from 1997 to 1998.
• Departure: Left after the first two seasons.
• Current Status: A successful television host, journalist, and lifestyle expert. Her most recent projects include the release of her cookbook, Greekish: Everything You Want to Eat and More, which she continues to promote in 2025. She is also collaborating with former Home & Family co-host Cameron Mathison on a new television project and is partnered with Nomo Smart Care.

Barbara Walters’ Enduring Legacy and the Show’s Foundation

Barbara Walters, a pioneering journalist, created The View in 1997 with the intention of having a multi-generational panel of women discuss a range of topics without the constraints of a traditional news desk. Her vision was to provide a space where women could express their "view" on everything from politics to pop culture.

Walters retired from her full-time role in 2014, but her influence as the show's co-creator and executive producer cemented its place in television history. Her passing on December 30, 2022, at the age of 93, marked the end of an era, but her legacy as a trailblazer who transformed broadcast journalism and created a platform for female voices continues to be celebrated by her former co-hosts and the current panel, including Whoopi Goldberg.

The show’s 25th-anniversary celebration saw a heartwarming reunion of the four surviving original co-hosts—Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Joy Behar, and Debbie Matenopoulos—a testament to the enduring bond forged in those early, formative years.

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The Post-View Careers: From Moderator to Courtroom Judge

The paths taken by the original co-hosts after their initial departure from the ABC talk show demonstrate the launchpad that The View provided for their careers. Meredith Vieira, the original moderator, quickly moved on to one of the most coveted jobs in morning television, co-anchoring the Today Show from 2006 to 2011. Today, she maintains a strong presence in news, contributing to Dateline NBC and earning recognition like the 2025 New England-NATAS award, solidifying her status as a respected broadcast journalist.

Star Jones, known for bringing a formidable legal background to the table, transitioned her judicial experience into a new, high-profile role. Since 2022, Jones has served as the host of Divorce Court, a position she continues to hold, blending her legal acumen with her television personality. Her work extends beyond the courtroom set, as she actively engages in health advocacy, including her role with the American Heart Association (AHA), which is a key focus for her in 2024 and 2025.

Meanwhile, Debbie Matenopoulos, who offered the "youthful point-of-view" in the show's early days, has built a successful career as a lifestyle expert and author. Her 2025 focus includes promoting her popular cookbook, *Greekish*, and developing new television programming, including a collaboration with Cameron Mathison, signaling a return to the daytime television format that first launched her career.

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The Ever-Present Anchor: Joy Behar's Unbroken Run

Joy Behar is the definitive anchor of The View, having been part of the show for all but two seasons since its 1997 premiere. Her role as the resident comedian and liberal voice has made her a consistent, often controversial, and always entertaining fixture.

Her longevity is a major part of the show's identity. While the panel has seen numerous co-hosts come and go—including Elisabeth Hasselbeck, Rosie O'Donnell, and Sherri Shepherd—Behar remains the constant connection to the show's roots with Barbara Walters.

Even in late 2024 and early 2025, Behar continues to make headlines, most recently for a highly relatable, albeit comical, injury. Her brief absence from the table for several days was attributed to an incident where an iPad fell on her toe, a story that quickly went viral and showcased her signature self-deprecating humor upon her return. Her continued presence is a vital link for long-time viewers, providing a historical context and a familiar face as The View evolves into its next phase.

The enduring success of The View is a direct result of the chemistry and groundbreaking format established by its original cast. While the table has rotated countless times, the foundation laid by Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, Debbie Matenopoulos, and Joy Behar continues to shape the debates and discussions that captivate audiences every weekday.