Joy Behar’s Age Revealed: 5 Shocking Career Secrets Of The View’s Unfiltered Star At 83

Joy Behar is currently 83 years old, a remarkable age for one of the most enduring and outspoken figures in American daytime television. As of today, Wednesday, December 10, 2025, the veteran comedian and co-host of ABC’s *The View* continues to bring her signature razor-sharp wit and liberal commentary to the Hot Topics table, showing no signs of slowing down. Her longevity in a demanding industry is a testament to a career built on reinvention, starting from an unexpected first profession to becoming a cultural commentator.

The question of "how old is Joy Behar" often sparks curiosity because her energy and consistent presence make it hard to believe she began her comedy career in her 40s. Born Josephine Victoria Occhiuto, Behar’s journey from a high school English teacher in New York to an Emmy Award-winning television personality is filled with fascinating detours, including a recent return to her very first job at ABC and the debut of a new Off-Broadway play in early 2025, proving that her most interesting chapters may still be unfolding.

Josephine Victoria "Joy" Behar: A Complete Biography and Profile

Joy Behar's life is a true American success story, marked by a dramatic mid-life career change that launched her into stardom. Her full biography details a path that was anything but conventional for a future television star.

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• Full Name: Josephine Victoria Occhiuto
• Current Age (as of Dec. 10, 2025): 83 Years Old
• Date of Birth: October 7, 1942
• Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
• Education: B.A. from Queens College, M.A. in English Education from Stony Brook University
• First Career: High School English Teacher
• Spouse: Steve Janowitz (m. 2011), Joe Behar (m. 1965; div. 1981)
• Children: Eve Behar (Daughter)
• Known For: Co-host of *The View* (1997–2013, 2015–Present), Stand-up Comedian, Actress, Playwright, Author.
• Key Collaborators: Whoopi Goldberg, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Ana Navarro, Barbara Walters.
• Notable Quote: "I’m a liberal firebrand."

Behar’s early life was centered in the world of academia. She earned her master's degree and spent years teaching English at Lindenhurst High School, a profession she would later joke about in her stand-up routines. It wasn't until around the age of 40 that a personal health scare—an ectopic pregnancy in 1979—served as a catalyst for her to abandon the classroom and pursue her true passion: comedy. This decision marked the beginning of her transformation from teacher to "liberal firebrand."

The Midlife Pivot: How a Teacher Became a Stand-Up Comedian

The most fascinating aspect of Joy Behar's career is its late start. While many comedians begin their grind in their 20s, Behar made the leap in her early 40s, proving that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. This chapter of her life is crucial to understanding her unique perspective and resilience.

From High School Classroom to Comedy Club Stage

After leaving her teaching job, Behar took on a series of unconventional roles, including working in a mental hospital, which she has often cited as excellent material for her future comedy. Her first foray into the entertainment world was as a receptionist and then a producer for ABC’s *Good Morning America*. This behind-the-scenes role gave her a crucial understanding of the television landscape she would soon dominate.

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Her true calling, however, was stand-up comedy. Behar began performing her unfiltered, observational comedy in small New York clubs, developing the sharp, political, and often self-deprecating style that would become her trademark. Her material often touched on the challenges of being a woman in midlife, dating, and the absurdity of everyday life. This stand-up background is the foundation of her role on *The View*, allowing her to deliver quick, unscripted, and often controversial punchlines that drive the show's most viral moments.

Joy Behar’s Latest Ventures: A 2025 Play and Retrospective Book

Despite being in her early 80s, Behar’s career is experiencing a vibrant resurgence of creative output outside of her daily duties on *The View*. Her latest projects, a new play and a retrospective book, underscore her commitment to storytelling and her desire to share her life experiences with a broader audience.

The Off-Broadway Debut: *My First Ex-Husband*

One of the most talked-about projects in Behar's recent career is her new comedy play, *My First Ex-Husband*, which premiered Off-Broadway in New York City in February 2025. The play is described as a bold, heartfelt, and hilarious adaptation of true stories, reflecting Behar's signature style of blending comedy with personal, empowering narratives. The production has drawn support from her current and past *The View* co-hosts, including Sunny Hostin, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Sherri Shepherd, highlighting the strong bonds she has maintained in the industry despite the show's reputation for on-screen drama.

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A Retrospective Book on "Everyone and Everything"

In addition to her play, Behar is also set to release a new non-fiction retrospective book. Announced in late 2023, the book is poised to be a candid collection of stories and observations on a vast array of subjects. The publisher's details suggest the book will be a no-holds-barred look at "everyone and everything," with specific topics including relatives, hair, bullies, romance, and even, as she has publicly joked, "erections." This literary venture promises to give fans a deeper, more personal look into the mind of the comedian, beyond the political debates of daytime television.

The Enduring Legacy of *The View* Co-Host

Joy Behar is one of the few original panelists from *The View*, having first joined the show in 1997. Her tenure has been marked by a brief departure from 2013 to 2015, only to return to her seat, solidifying her status as an indispensable part of the show's dynamic. Her role is often to serve as the voice of the liberal perspective, engaging in spirited debates with co-hosts like Whoopi Goldberg, Sara Haines, and the show's conservative voices.

Behar has often commented on the ever-changing cast of the show, noting that the current group has the "least animosity" compared to previous iterations, some of whom she admits were "bad" to work with. This candidness about the backstage drama is part of her appeal: she is a television host who refuses to be anything less than authentic.

At 83, Joy Behar’s career is a powerful example of defying expectations. She is not merely a long-serving daytime host; she is a successful playwright, a forthcoming author, a respected stand-up comedian, and a cultural commentator whose influence spans decades. Her ability to transition from a quiet life as a high school teacher to a perennial fixture on one of television’s most volatile talk shows is an inspiring story of finding your true voice later in life and never letting go of your unfiltered perspective.