Joy Behar

Learn about Joy Behar — the comedian, writer, talk show host, playwright, and longtime co-host on The View. Dive into her journey, style, memorable quotes, and lessons from her outspoken career.

Introduction

Josephine Victoria “Joy” Behar (née Occhiuto), born October 7, 1942, is an American comedian, television host, actress, writer, and playwright.

She is best known as one of the original co-hosts of the daytime talk show The View, where her sharp wit, political commentary, and humor have made her a constant voice in American media.

Her career spans stand-up comedy, television, writing, theater, and outspoken commentary. This article explores her life, career, personality, famous quotes, and takeaways from her journey.

Early Life & Education

Joy Behar was born in Brooklyn, New York, to an Italian American family.

Her mother, Rose (née Carbone), worked as a seamstress; her father, Louis “Gino” Occhiuto, was a truck driver for Coca-Cola.

She grew up in Brooklyn in a Roman Catholic environment.

Joy earned a BA in Sociology from Queens College in 1964 and went on to earn an MA in English Education from Stony Brook University in 1966.

Before entering show business, she taught English at Lindenhurst Senior High School on Long Island.

She also studied acting at HB Studio.

Career & Major Milestones

Early Career & Comedy

Behar’s entry into show business began in the early 1980s. She worked as a receptionist and producer on Good Morning America before doing stand-up and appearing on television.

She made television appearances in shows like The New Show, and in 1987 hosted Way Off Broadway on Lifetime.

She also appeared in small acting roles: among her film and TV credits are Manhattan Murder Mystery, Hall Pass, and Cookie.

Behar also hosted her own talk shows: The Joy Behar Show (HLN, 2009–2011) and Joy Behar: Say Anything! (Current TV, 2012–2013).

In 2015, she hosted Late Night Joy, a weekly show on TLC filmed in her New York apartment, featuring candid conversations with friends.

The View & Public Persona

In 1997, Behar joined The View as one of its original panelists, co-created by Barbara Walters.

Initially, she appeared on days when Walters was off; over time, she became a full-time co-host.

In 2009, she and her co-hosts won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Talk Show Host.

She left The View in 2013 to pursue other projects but later returned.

Beyond The View, she’s written books and plays. One recent theatrical work is My First Ex-Husband, an Off-Broadway play that premiered in 2025 composed of monologues based on divorce stories.

Style, Voice & Personality

Joy Behar is known for her:

• Outspokenness: She doesn’t shy away from political or controversial topics, often voicing liberal perspectives.

• Humor + interjection: She uses comedy as a way to deliver commentary and critique.

• Self-awareness and self-deprecation: She often remarks on aging, personal quirks, media absurdities.

• Intellectual curiosity: She reads widely and cultivates opinions across politics, culture, media.

• Versatility: She shifts between media forms — stand-up, TV, theater, books.

Her persona balances sharpness with warmth: she can be biting, but also generous in conversation.

Famous Quotes by Joy Behar

Here are some notable quotations that capture Joy Behar’s wit, perspective, and voice:

“I keep my stand-up comedy notes in a pile on my desk. I don’t organize my act. I keep myself in a state of confusion. It stresses me out, but I prefer creative chaos.”

“When people heckle me, I have the microphone. And the press has the microphone.”

“You know, I’m a comedian the same as Bill Maher and Jon Stewart. We all came up the same way. The three of us have interest in politics; I call us fundits, we're fundits! We’re not pundits!”

“I don’t profess to be an expert on anything … I am an informed American citizen, that’s my position.”

“I read the ‘New York Times’, I read the ‘Nation’, I read ‘Newsweek’, I read ‘Time Magazine’, I read ‘Politico’, I read ‘Mediaite’. … I read every day, I have interests …”

“I feel like when being raised in New York City I have a particular perspective on things like gay issues … because I’m in the middle of Manhattan.”

“I’ve been through many years of psychotherapy, psycho-drama, I've taken risks in my life. … You have to really think about who you are. You can’t just go through life and sail through.”

These quotes reflect her humor, candidness, intellectual engagement, and awareness of personal journey.

Lessons & Insights From Her Journey

1. Adaptability pays
   She has reinvented her career multiple times — from teacher to comedian, to talk show host, to playwright.

2. Voice matters
   Her willingness to speak controversial truths has made her a distinctive presence; not everyone will agree, but she remains heard.

3. Mix humor with gravitas
   She often uses humor to discuss serious issues, making difficult topics approachable.

4. Be diversified
   She’s not tied to one medium — books, TV, theater, stand-up — which buffers against industry shifts.

5. Own your story
   Behar’s candid reflections on personal trials, aging, relationships, and identity show that vulnerability can enhance, not detract from, one’s influence.

Conclusion

Joy Behar remains a compelling figure in American media: bold, sharp, humorous, and deeply engaged. She has turned her life experiences, intellect, and courage into a platform over decades.

Her legacy is still evolving, and through her words, performances, and commentary, she continues to challenge, provoke, entertain, and inspire.