Jon Stewart

Jon Stewart (born Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz, November 28, 1962) is an American comedian, writer, producer, director, progressive political commentator, actor, and television host. Stewart is known as the host of the satirical news program The Daily Show on Comedy Central from 1999 to 2015 and part-time since 2024. He hosted The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+ from 2021 to 2023. Stewart has received numerous accolades, including 25 Primetime Emmy Awards, 2 Grammy Awards, and 5 Peabody Awards. He was honored with the Bronze Medallion in 2019 and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2022.

Stewart started as a stand-up comedian but branched into television as host of Short Attention Span Theater for Comedy Central. He went on to host You Wrote It, You Watch It (1992–1993) and then The Jon Stewart Show (1993–1995), both on MTV, until The Jon Stewart Show was retooled, dropped by the network, and moved to syndication. He has also appeared in several films, including Big Daddy (1999) and Death to Smoochy (2002). Stewart became host of The Daily Show in 1999, where he was also a writer and co-executive producer. After he joined, The Daily Show steadily gained popularity and critical acclaim, and during his tenure won numerous Emmy Awards and was nominated for news and journalism awards. In 2010, he and Stephen Colbert headlined the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear. In 2012, assumed control of the satirical Colbert Super PAC, retitled "The Definitely Not Coordinating With Stephen Colbert Super PAC".

After leaving The Daily Show, Stewart maintained a low profile in entertainment industry circles, but used his celebrity and voice in a sustained advocacy for 9/11 first responders and war veterans' health benefits. In 2019, he received the New York City Bronze Medallion for his "tireless advocacy, inspiration, and leadership (helping to) pass the permanent authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act". He continued using his platform as an advocate for veterans by being instrumental in helping pass the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, which expands healthcare access and funding to veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service including burn pits. In November 2022, Stewart was awarded the Bronze De Fleury Medal by the U.S. Army Engineer Regiment for his advocacy on behalf of military veterans exposed to toxic burn pits.