Julie Chen Moonves is a well-known American TV personality, news anchor, and producer for CBS1. She has been hosting the American version of the CBS reality show Big Brother since its start in July 20001. From 2002 to 2010, she was a co-anchor of The Early Show on CBS1. In 2004, she married CBS executive Les Moonves1. Starting in 2010, Chen Moonves was a co-host and the moderator of the CBS Daytime talk show The Talk, until 2018 when she left the show following multiple sexual assault and sexual harassment allegations against her husband Les Moonves.
Key Takeaways
- Julie Chen is a renowned television personality and news anchor who has been with CBS for over two decades.
- She has hosted the hit reality show Big Brother since its debut in 2000 and co-hosted The Talk from 2010 to 2018.
- Chen’s career has been marked by her tenure as a co-anchor on The Early Show and her marriage to former CBS executive Les Moonves.
- She has faced controversies, including her use of her married name and the criticism of her Asian features, but has remained a prominent figure in the industry.
- Chen’s literary works, including a children’s book and an audio memoir, have further expanded her creative pursuits.
Early Life and Family Background
Julie Chen was born on January 6, 1970, in Queens, New York2. Her mom, Wang Ling Chen, was from Rangoon, Burma. Her dad, David Chen, was from China and moved to Taiwan after the Chinese Civil War2. She has two older sisters, Gladys and Victoria, making their family rich in culture2.
Julie Chen grew up in a Chinese-American home. Her parents’ journey as immigrants and the mix of cultures she experienced shaped her early life. She was deeply connected to her Chinese roots while also facing the challenges of being an Asian-American.2
Chen’s education was a blend of her diverse background. She went to St. Francis Preparatory School and later got a degree in broadcast journalism and English from the University of Southern California in 19912. This education set the stage for her successful career in TV hosting and journalism2.
“My parents came to this country with nothing. They worked hard, sacrificed, and gave me and my sisters the opportunity to have a better life.”
Julie Chen’s early life and family background have deeply influenced her career as a leading chinese american tv host and asian american broadcaster2. Her cultural background and personal story have shaped her unique perspective and helped her reach a wide audience2.
| Key Biographical Details | Data |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 6, 1970 |
| Birthplace | Queens, New York |
| Parents | Wang Ling Chen (mother, from Burma) and David Chen (father, from China) |
| Siblings | Gladys and Victoria |
| Education | St. Francis Preparatory School, University of Southern California (B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and English) |
Julie Chen’s Julie Chen ethnicity, Julie Chen family background, and Juile Chen early life have shaped her career as a top Chinese American tv host and Asian American broadcaster2. Her diverse background and personal story have influenced her view and helped her connect with many people in her successful media career2.
Education and Early Career
Julie Chen started her path to fame with her education. She went to junior high in Whitestone, Queens, New York. Then, she finished high school at St. Francis Preparatory School in 19873.
Next, she moved to the University of Southern California. There, she earned a degree in broadcast journalism and English in 19913.
Even as a student, Julie got her first taste of the industry. In June 1990, she interned at CBS Morning News. She helped by answering phones and copying faxes3. The next year, she became a desk assistant at ABC News One. She was soon promoted to producer, a role she held for three years3.
| Education | Experience |
|---|---|
| Graduated from the University of Southern California in 1991 with a degree in broadcast journalism and English | Interned at CBS Morning News in 1990, where she answered phones and copied faxes |
| Worked as a desk assistant for ABC News One in 1991, later promoted to producer for 3 years |
These early steps in the news world set the stage for Julie Chen’s future success. She became a big name in both news and reality TV34.
Rise to Prominence as News Anchor
Julie Chen’s smarts, style, and top-notch news reporting made her a big name in 2003 during the U.S. invasion of Iraq1. In 1999, she landed the anchor job for CBS’s early-morning shows, CBS Morning News and The Early Show5. Her charm and skill in delivering news made her a hit with viewers, marking her as a star on the rise1.
From 1999 to 2002, Chen anchored CBS Morning News and CBS This Morning, and then The Early Show5. She covered big news like the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, showing off her top reporting skills. This made her a trusted and respected journalist1.
Chen’s success as a news anchor came from connecting with viewers and reporting with honesty and heart1. Her presence on TV and her hard work made her a standout in journalism5.
Throughout her career, Julie Chen has shown she can handle the changing world of TV news well. She always delivers quality reporting and grabs the audience’s attention1. Her rise to fame shows her talent, hard work, and commitment to being the best in journalism5.
Hosting “Big Brother” and “The Talk”
Julie Chen Moonves has had a big career in reality TV and daytime talk shows. Since 2000, she’s been hosting the CBS hit show Big Brother6. At first, she wasn’t sure about the job, but it became a favorite project for her6.
For eight years, from 2010 to 2018, she co-hosted The Talk7. But in September 2018, she left the show to focus on family7. This was after her husband, Les Moonves, left CBS due to sexual misconduct allegations7.
Long-time Host of Reality Show “Big Brother” Since 2000
Since 2000, Julie Chen Moonves has been a key figure in the Big Brother reality show6. She was unsure at first, but now it’s one of her favorite jobs6.
Co-Host and Moderator of CBS Talk Show “The Talk” 2010-2018
Chen Moonves also co-hosted The Talk from 2010 to 20187. But after her husband’s scandal, she left the show7. Carrie Ann Inaba took her place in January 20197.
| TV Show | Role | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Big Brother | Host | 2000 – Present |
| The Talk | Co-Host and Moderator | 2010 – 2018 |
“Despite her belief that gossip is a sin, Julie finds no conflict between her faith and hosting a reality show like Big Brother, highlighting that it’s not real life.”
Julie Chen
Julie Chen, a famous TV star, proudly calls herself “Chenbot”8. This name comes from her “precise on-air style” that shows she aims to be fair8. She even said, “I am the Chenot!” on The Early Show, showing she owns this identity8.
Chen’s life has changed a lot in recent years9. At 53, she shared her journey to faith in an audiobook9. This path started five years back, after an email from her aunt about Christianity8. Before then, she had never been to church8.
Being a Christian has deeply changed her life8. She feels more at peace and less stressed since connecting with God8. Her Big Brother co-workers see a new calm in her, and she talks about the value of helping others over being self-focused8. Chen wants others to know it’s okay to pray and welcome God into their lives for hope and positivity8.
Even with tough times, like her husband’s public scandal10, Chen has stayed true to her family10. She says the scandal made her family stronger, not weaker10. Chen’s story shows how she balances being the “Chenot” and growing as a Christian9.
Marriage to Les Moonves
In 2004, Julie Chen married Les Moonves, the top boss at CBS Television, in a quiet ceremony in Acapulco, Mexico1112. They have a son named Charlie, born in 20091312.
Julie Chen and her CBS executive husband, Les Moonves, are a famous media power couple. They’ve faced both highs and lows in their relationship111312.
In 2018, Les Moonves was accused of sexual misconduct and left CBS13. Julie Chen felt betrayed but kept hosting “Big Brother” on CBS, showing her strength11.
Even with the tough times, Julie Chen has stuck by her husband, Les Moonves. They’ve worked to keep their relationship strong111312.