The Unforgivable Betrayal: 5 Reasons Why Anderson Cooper And Kathy Griffin's Friendship Died A Permanent Death

The once-unbreakable bond between veteran CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and controversial comedian Kathy Griffin has become one of Hollywood's most enduring and bitter celebrity feuds, a rift that remains permanent as of late December 2025. The core of the drama stems from a single, infamous 2017 photo shoot, but the subsequent fallout revealed a deep chasm in loyalty and political alignment that neither party has been able to bridge. This article dissects the dramatic end of their friendship, exploring the latest updates and the comedian's enduring feelings of betrayal. The narrative of their professional partnership—a decade of raucous, alcohol-fueled comedy on *CNN New Year's Eve Live*—stands in stark contrast to the silence and acrimony that followed. Griffin has been consistently vocal about the permanent damage, while Cooper has largely maintained a public distance, leaving fans to wonder what truly happened behind the scenes after the cameras stopped rolling.

Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin: A Dual Biography and Career Snapshot

To understand the depth of the betrayal, it is essential to first know the individuals at the center of the storm: a silver-haired newsman from a dynastic family and a defiant, two-time Emmy winner from the world of stand-up comedy.

Anderson Cooper

• Full Name: Anderson Hays Cooper
• Born: June 3, 1967, in New York City, New York, US
• Career Highlights: Primary anchor of the CNN news broadcast *Anderson Cooper 360°* (since 2003); correspondent for *60 Minutes*; heir to the Vanderbilt fortune. He is a highly respected broadcast journalist and political commentator.
• Key Entity: CNN, Vanderbilt Family, *Anderson Cooper 360°*

Kathy Griffin

• Full Name: Kathleen Mary "Kathy" Griffin
• Born: November 4, 1960, in Oak Park, Illinois, US
• Career Highlights: American stand-up comedian and actress known for her lacerating observations about celebrity culture; starred in the reality show *My Life on the D-List* (2005–2010), winning two Emmy Awards.
• Key Entity: Stand-up Comedy, *My Life on the D-List*, D-List, Emmy Awards

The Golden Decade: CNN's Unlikely New Year's Eve Duo (2007–2016)

For ten years, the unlikely pairing of the serious journalist and the raunchy comedian was a staple of New Year's Eve television. Cooper and Griffin co-hosted *CNN New Year's Eve Live* from 2007 through 2016, broadcasting from Times Square. The chemistry was undeniable, with Griffin constantly trying to shock and embarrass the perpetually composed Cooper, leading to iconic, viral moments that boosted CNN's ratings and softened Cooper's on-screen persona.

The duo’s on-air antics included Griffin stripping down to her bra, making inappropriate comments about Cooper’s body, and generally pushing the boundaries of network television. Cooper’s reactions—a mix of genuine shock, forced laughter, and exasperated eye-rolls—became as famous as Griffin’s jokes. This period cemented them as close friends off-camera, with Griffin considering Cooper one of her dearest confidantes. [cite: 16 (from step 1)]

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The Controversial Photo and the Immediate Fallout of 2017

The friendship came to an abrupt and catastrophic end in May 2017 following a controversial photo shoot. The image, taken by photographer Tyler Shields, showed Kathy Griffin holding a prop that resembled the severed, bloodied head of then-President Donald Trump. The photo was met with immediate, widespread condemnation from both sides of the political spectrum. [cite: 6, 18 (from step 1)]

Anderson Cooper's Public Denunciation

The most painful public reaction for Griffin came from Cooper himself. Within hours of the photo's release, Cooper took to Twitter to distance himself completely, tweeting: "For the record, I am appalled by the photo shoot Kathy Griffin took part in. It is clearly disgusting and completely inappropriate." [cite: 6, 7 (from step 1)]

The journalist's stark and immediate public condemnation was a massive blow to Griffin, who was already facing intense backlash, including a federal investigation and the cancellation of her comedy tour. [cite: 17 (from step 2)] CNN, led by then-president Jeff Zucker, swiftly fired Griffin from the annual New Year's Eve program, replacing her with Cooper’s close friend, Andy Cohen. [cite: 14 (from step 2)]

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The Permanent Fracture: Griffin's Ongoing Betrayal and Cooper's Silence

Years after the incident, the two former friends have not reconciled. The rift is now widely considered permanent, defined by Kathy Griffin's continued public statements expressing her hurt and Anderson Cooper's consistent refusal to apologize or re-engage. [cite: 4 (from step 1)]

1. The Unapologetic Stance

Griffin has repeatedly stated that Cooper has never reached out to apologize for his public denouncement. In a recent interview, she reflected on the possibility of an apology, concluding, "He's not that kind of guy." [cite: 3 (from step 1)] This lack of personal support during what she described as a career-destroying crisis is the central issue for the comedian.

2. The "Spineless Heiress" Insult

The comedian has escalated her criticism, famously referring to the Vanderbilt heir as a "spineless heiress" and criticizing his character, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy of a friend abandoning her during her darkest hour. [cite: 11 (from step 1)] She views his reaction as a purely self-serving move to protect his career and brand at CNN.

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3. The 2024 Email Exchange Update

In a very recent update, Griffin revealed in 2024 that she and Cooper had a brief email exchange, but she confirmed that they are still not friends. [cite: 16 (from step 2)] This demonstrates that while there may have been minimal, private contact, it did not lead to reconciliation, reinforcing the finality of the split.

4. The Andy Cohen Factor

The immediate replacement of Griffin on the New Year's Eve broadcast by Andy Cohen, a close friend of Cooper, further solidified Griffin's feeling of being "thrown away." [cite: 14 (from step 1)] Cohen's subsequent public feud with Griffin has also been a continuous source of tension in the wider circle of celebrity news.

5. Cooper's "No Comment" Policy

When media outlets have reached out to Cooper's representatives for comment on Griffin’s ongoing statements, the response has consistently been "no comment." [cite: 17 (from step 1)] This silence, while professionally safe for a journalist, is interpreted by Griffin and many observers as a final, cold dismissal of their 17-year friendship, confirming that the professional relationship was prioritized over the personal one.

The saga of Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin remains a cautionary tale about the intersection of politics, comedy, and celebrity friendships. While Cooper has moved on, Griffin continues to use her platform to detail the devastating emotional and professional cost of the 2017 photo, ensuring that the story of their severed bond remains a relevant and painful chapter in both their careers.