5 Shocking Truths About Joy Behar’s Status On The View: Fired, Retired, Or Renewed?

The question of whether Joy Behar has been fired from *The View* is one of the most persistent rumors in daytime television history, and the simple answer is complex. As of today, December 10, 2025, Joy Behar is an active co-host on the ABC talk show and has shut down all recent speculation regarding her exit or retirement, having reportedly signed a new contract extension that secures her seat at the Hot Topics table.

This recurring rumor is not entirely unfounded, however. Behar, an original co-host, actually *was* let go from the show back in 2013, a dramatic departure that continues to fuel online chatter and clickbait headlines whenever her contract nears its end or a controversial comment goes viral. Understanding the full story requires looking at both her past, unexpected exit and her current, secure status as the show’s longest-serving panelist.

Josephine Victoria Behar: A Full Biography and Career Profile

Josephine Victoria "Joy" Behar (née Occhiuto) is an American comedian, television host, actress, and playwright, best known for her unapologetically liberal commentary and her enduring role on *The View*. Her career path was far from typical for a television personality, beginning in education before transitioning to stand-up comedy.

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• Full Name: Josephine Victoria Occhiuto
• Date of Birth: October 7, 1942
• Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Education: B.A. in Sociology from Queens College (1964); M.A. in English Education from Stony Brook University (1966).
• Early Career: Behar began her professional life as a high school English teacher at Lindenhurst Senior High School in Long Island.
• Career Shift: Following a near-death experience from an ectopic pregnancy in 1979, Behar quit teaching to pursue her dream of stand-up comedy, performing at various New York City nightclubs.
• Television Start: She worked as a receptionist and producer for ABC’s *Good Morning America* before her comedy career took off, leading to appearances on *The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson*.
• The View Tenure: She was one of the original co-hosts when *The View* premiered in 1997, alongside creator Barbara Walters, Meredith Vieira, Star Jones, and Debbie Matenopoulos.
• Marriages: Joseph Behar (1965–1981); Steve Janowitz (2011–present).

Truth #1: The 2013 Firing That Started It All

The persistent question, "Did Joy Behar get fired from *The View*?" stems from a factual event that occurred over a decade ago. In 2013, after 16 years as an original co-host, Joy Behar departed the show.

Initially, her exit was framed as a voluntary decision to pursue other career endeavors, including her own talk show on Current TV and a role in the play *The Vagina Monologues*.

The Real Story Behind the 2013 Exit

Years later, Behar admitted that the narrative of a voluntary exit was incomplete. She was, in fact, fired by ABC executives.

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She candidly revealed that she was "glad to be fired" at the time because she was "sick of the show at that point," suggesting a mutual weariness despite the network’s decision.

Behar also stated that she believed her firing was the result of a "political balancing act" by the network, who "wanted me gone." This departure was part of a major shakeup in the show's panel, which was undergoing significant changes following the retirement of Barbara Walters.

This single, confirmed event—the 2013 firing—is the historical anchor for every subsequent rumor about her leaving *The View*.

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Truth #2: Joy Behar is Securely Under Contract Through 2025

Despite the constant stream of online rumors, speculation, and sensationalist headlines, the current status of Joy Behar on *The View* is secure and confirmed. She is not fired, nor is she retiring anytime soon.

In a major development for the show's stability, Behar signed a contract extension that keeps her at the Hot Topics table through the 2024-2025 television season.

This extension solidifies her position as the longest-tenured co-host, a title she shares with Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, and Sara Haines, who are also key figures in the show's current lineup.

Shutting Down the Latest Rumors

In late 2024 and heading into 2025, a new wave of rumors circulated, primarily on social media and certain YouTube channels, claiming that ABC had issued an official statement confirming that both Joy Behar and Whoopi Goldberg's contracts would not be renewed.

These claims were quickly debunked by reliable news sources and fact-checkers. Behar herself has publicly addressed and shot down these persistent retirement rumors, stating that she is not ready to say "sayonara" to her daytime job.

The reality is that while contracts for many of the co-hosts—including Sunny Hostin, Ana Navarro, and Alyssa Farah Griffin—are often up for renewal, Behar's long-term commitment and her recent extension are a testament to her value to the show's dynamic and ratings.

Truth #3: The Unprecedented Return to The View

The most unique aspect of Joy Behar's career is her unprecedented return to *The View*.

After being fired in 2013, she spent two years pursuing other projects. However, the show's ratings and chemistry struggled following a series of co-host changes in the post-Walters era.

In 2015, ABC and *The View* producers asked Behar to return, a rare move in the cutthroat world of daytime television. She officially rejoined the panel for the show's 19th season, marking a triumphant and highly unusual comeback.

This return transformed her status from a former co-host to a permanent fixture and the show's comedic anchor, often sparring good-naturedly with conservative co-hosts like Meghan McCain and, currently, Alyssa Farah Griffin.

Truth #4: Joy Behar is The View’s Ultimate Topical Authority

Joy Behar's longevity and unique history with *The View* make her the show's ultimate topical authority. She is the only co-host to have worked with every major panelist, including the late Barbara Walters, Rosie O'Donnell, Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and Whoopi Goldberg.

Her role is critical to the show's success, providing a consistent, liberal, and often humorous perspective that viewers have relied on for over two decades. Her ability to deliver sharp, one-liner commentary and engage in passionate debates about politics, pop culture, and social issues is a cornerstone of the *Hot Topics* segment.

The show's producers understand that Behar's presence ensures continuity and a direct link to the show's original format and vision established by Barbara Walters.

Truth #5: The View’s Future is Tied to Its Veteran Co-Hosts

While rumors about contracts and firings will always swirl, the stability of *The View* relies heavily on its veteran co-hosts. The current panel, featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, and Alyssa Farah Griffin, is considered one of the most stable and successful in recent years.

Joy Behar's commitment to stay through 2025 is a strong indicator that the network values this stability. Any future departure is likely to be a retirement announcement on her own terms, rather than an abrupt firing like the one she experienced in 2013.

For now, the answer to "Did Joy Behar get fired from *The View*?" remains a definitive no. She is renewed, secure, and ready to tackle the next round of debates and controversies.