Bill O'Reilly (political commentator)
William James O'Reilly Jr. (born September 10, 1949) is an American conservative commentator, journalist, author, and television host.
Bill O'Reilly | |
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O'Reilly in 2010 | |
| Born | William James O'Reilly Jr. September 10, 1949 New York City, U.S. |
| Education | Marist College (BA) Boston University (MA) Harvard University (MPA) |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1975–present |
| Political party | Republican (before 2001) Independence (2001–present) |
| Spouse |
Maureen McPhilmy
(m. 1996; div. 2011) |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | billoreilly |
| This article is part of a series on |
| Conservatism in the United States |
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O'Reilly's broadcasting career began during the late 1970s and 1980s, when he reported for local television stations in the United States and later for CBS News and ABC News. He anchored the tabloid television program Inside Edition from 1989 to 1995. O'Reilly joined the Fox News Channel in 1996 and hosted The O'Reilly Factor until 2017. The O'Reilly Factor had been the highest-rated cable news show for 16 years, and he was described by media analyst Howard Kurtz as "the biggest star in the 20-year history at Fox News" at the time of his ousting.
In early 2017, The New York Times reported that he and Fox News had paid five women approximately $13 million to settle various sexual misconduct lawsuits, which led to the network terminating O'Reilly's employment and him being dropped by the United Talent Agency and literary agency WME. O'Reilly began hosting the No Spin News podcast after his dismissal from Fox News. No Spin News has since expanded into a television program, first airing on Newsmax, then on The First. He is the author of numerous New York Times best selling books and hosted The Radio Factor (2002–2009).