History of Chris Hansen in Timeline
Chris Hansen is an American television presenter, journalist, and YouTube personality. He's best known for hosting 'To Catch a Predator' on Dateline NBC (2004-2007), a segment focused on exposing potential Internet predators through sting operations. After its conclusion, Hansen continued hosting similar shows on other networks, focusing on exposing illicit activities.
1981: Graduation from Michigan State University
In 1981, Chris Hansen graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in telecommunication.
1981: Reporter for WILX
In 1981, during his senior year at Michigan State University, Chris Hansen became a reporter for NBC affiliate WILX in Lansing, Michigan.
1988: Investigative Reporter and Anchor at WDIV
In 1988, Chris Hansen was hired as an investigative reporter and anchor at WDIV in Detroit, marking a significant step in his journalism career.
1989: Marriage to Mary Joan
In 1989, Chris Hansen married his first wife, Mary Joan, beginning their nearly thirty-year marriage.
May 1993: Joins NBC News
In May 1993, Chris Hansen joined NBC News as a correspondent for the short-lived news magazine Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric, expanding his career on a national platform.
2006: Guest Appearances on The Simpsons and 30 Rock
In 2006, Chris Hansen voiced himself in an episode of The Simpsons titled "Loan-a Lisa" and appeared as himself in the sitcom 30 Rock, in the episode "The Break-Up".
January 9, 2007: Appearance on American Gangster
On January 9, 2007, Chris Hansen appeared on the BET news series American Gangster, providing insight into the lives of the Chambers Brothers gang based on his previous reporting.
March 2007: Release of "To Catch a Predator: Protecting Your Kids from Online Enemies Already in Your Home"
In March 2007, Chris Hansen's book, "To Catch a Predator: Protecting Your Kids from Online Enemies Already in Your Home", was released in the American market. The book capitalizing on the success of his Predator investigations.
2008: Parody in South Park
In 2008, Chris Hansen was parodied in the South Park episode "Le Petit Tourette," where a parody version of Hansen is involved in a feature on Eric Cartman's fake Tourette's syndrome.
2010: Parody in The Boondocks
In 2010, Chris Hansen was parodied in an episode of The Boondocks titled "A Date with the Booty Warrior", where he performs a sting operation similar to To Catch a Predator.
August 2013: Departure from NBC
In August 2013, NBC decided not to renew its contract with Chris Hansen, ending his 20-year tenure with the network.
2013: Parodied in Family Guy
In the 2013 episode "Valentine's Day in Quahog", Chris Hansen was parodied on the television show Family Guy, where Mr. Herbert is watching his favorite show, To Catch a Predator.
August 17, 2015: Premiere of Killer Instinct on Investigation Discovery
On August 17, 2015, Chris Hansen's show Killer Instinct, which chronicles homicide cases, premiered on Investigation Discovery with its initial 10-episode season.
2015: Appearance on Fameless
In 2015, Chris Hansen appeared on the hidden camera prank show Fameless, where a victim is pranked into thinking he has been mistaken for an online predator.
2015: Plans for Hansen vs. Predator and Kickstarter Campaign
In 2015, Chris Hansen planned a new independent television show called Hansen vs. Predator, a spin-off of his original show To Catch a Predator. The program was intended to premiere online, crowdfunded via Kickstarter with Hansen hoping to raise $400,000.
2015: The KidSafe Foundation Child Advocate of the Year Award
In 2015, The KidSafe Foundation honored Chris Hansen with their Child Advocate of the Year award, recognizing his efforts in raising awareness about the dangers of online child predators.
August 22, 2016: Introduction as Host of Crime Watch Daily
On August 22, 2016, Chris Hansen was introduced as the new host of the syndicated news program Crime Watch Daily, marking the beginning of his role in the show.
September 12, 2016: Premiere of Hansen vs. Predator on Crime Watch Daily
On September 12, 2016, Chris Hansen debuted the first episode of Hansen vs. Predator on Crime Watch Daily, reviving his previous To Catch a Predator series.
2016: Appearance on Black-ish
In 2016, Chris Hansen appeared as himself in season 3, episode 4 of the television show Black-ish.
January 4, 2017: Renewal of Crime Watch Daily for a Third Season
On January 4, 2017, Crime Watch Daily, hosted by Chris Hansen, was renewed for a third season, indicating the show's continued success.
June 2018: End of Crime Watch Daily
In June 2018, Crime Watch Daily ended its run, concluding Chris Hansen's time as the host of the syndicated news program.
2018: Mary Joan files for Divorce
In 2018, Mary Joan filed for divorce from Chris Hansen after nearly thirty years of marriage.
January 14, 2019: Turns himself in for Bad Check
On January 14, 2019, Chris Hansen turned himself in to police in Connecticut for allegedly bouncing checks for nearly $13,000 worth of promotional materials.
January 2019: Arrest for Bad Check
In January 2019, Chris Hansen was arrested for paying for $13,000 worth of promotional items with a bad check related to his failed Kickstarter campaign.
January 2019: Charged with Larceny
In January 2019, Chris Hansen was charged with larceny after a check bounced with a vendor who delivered promotional items, leading to legal challenges.
January 2019: Eviction from New York City Apartment
In January 2019, Chris Hansen was reportedly evicted from his New York City apartment after failing to pay rent since the previous August.
October 9, 2019: Launch of YouTube Channel
On October 9, 2019, Chris Hansen started a YouTube channel under the name Have a Seat with Chris Hansen, marking his entry into the world of online content creation.
January 2020: Visit to James Jackson's home
In January 2020, Chris Hansen visited the home of YouTube creator James Jackson (Onision) in an attempt to interview him regarding claims of pedophilia and grooming, leading to Jackson calling the police.
January 24, 2020: Lawsuit filed by James Jackson
On January 24, 2020, James Jackson filed a lawsuit against Chris Hansen, stemming from Hansen's investigation into claims of pedophilia and grooming against Jackson. Later, Jackson requested to dismiss the charges.
March 1, 2020: Death of Patricia Hansen
On March 1, 2020, Chris Hansen's mother, Patricia Hansen, passed away.
October 2020: Sting Operation
In October 2020, Chris Hansen was involved in a sting operation, which later led to legal complications due to his failure to appear in court.
2020: Cameo in The Boys
In 2020, Chris Hansen made a brief cameo as himself in episode 1 of the second season of the Amazon series The Boys.
2020: Hosting Predators I've Caught podcast
Since 2020, Chris Hansen has hosted a podcast called Predators I've Caught, revisiting predator investigations and offering new information about the suspects.
July 2021: Warrant Issued for Arrest
In July 2021, a warrant was issued for Chris Hansen's arrest after he failed to appear in a Shiawassee County courtroom in Michigan to present evidence related to a sting operation.
November 13, 2021: Marriage to Gabrielle Gagnon
On November 13, 2021, Chris Hansen married his second wife, Gabrielle Gagnon.
2022: Return to Television with Takedown with Chris Hansen
In 2022, Chris Hansen returned to television with the series Takedown with Chris Hansen on his streaming service TruBlu, where he investigates and interviews online predators.
August 2025: Rumors and Confirmation of Documentary Film on Roblox Child Safety
In August 2025, following the Roblox Schlep ban controversy, rumors spread that Chris Hansen would create a project on child safety on Roblox. Hansen confirmed the rumors on August 15, stating he interviewed law enforcement, abuse victims, and Schlep for a documentary film.
February 27, 2026: Release of Dangerous Games: Investigating Roblox — A Chris Hansen Special
On February 27, 2026, Chris Hansen released his documentary, Dangerous Games: Investigating Roblox — A Chris Hansen Special, exclusively on the TruBlu streaming platform.
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