Career Timeline of Chris Matthews: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Chris Matthews made an impact.

Chris Matthews is an American political commentator, author, and former talk show host. He is best known for hosting 'Hardball with Chris Matthews' on MSNBC from 1997 to 2020, a weeknight hour-long talk show focused on politics and current events. Matthews retired following allegations of inappropriate comments made to a guest on his show. Before his career in television, Matthews worked as a political aide and speechwriter. He has also authored several books, primarily focused on American politics and history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

1968: Peace Corps Service Begins

In 1968, Matthews began his service in the United States Peace Corps in Swaziland.

1970: End of Peace Corps Service

In 1970, Matthews completed his service in the United States Peace Corps in Swaziland, where he worked as a trade development advisor.

1974: Unsuccessful Congressional Campaign

In 1974, Chris Matthews unsuccessfully campaigned for Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, receiving approximately 24% of the vote in the primary.

1987: Becomes Washington, D.C., Bureau Chief for the San Francisco Examiner

In 1987, Chris Matthews became the Washington, D.C., bureau chief for the San Francisco Examiner, a role he held for 13 years.

1988: Began Covering Presidential Election Campaigns

In 1988, Chris Matthews began covering American presidential election campaigns, a role he continued until his retirement in 2020.

1997: Began Hosting Hardball with Chris Matthews

In 1997, Chris Matthews launched his own weeknight talk show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, which initially aired on America's Talking before moving to MSNBC, featuring pundits and elected officials as guests.

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1997: Hardball with Chris Matthews Debut

In 1997, Chris Matthews started hosting his weeknight hour-long talk show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, initially on America's Talking before moving to MSNBC.

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1997: Research in the National Archives

In 1997, Chris Matthews's research in the National Archives produced a series of exclusives on the Nixon presidential tapes.

1998: Research in the National Archives

In 1998, Chris Matthews's research in the National Archives continued to produce a series of exclusives on the Nixon presidential tapes.

2000: Ends Tenure as Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief

In 2000, Chris Matthews concluded his 13-year tenure as the Washington, D.C., bureau chief for the San Francisco Examiner.

2002: The Chris Matthews Show Aired

From 2002, The Chris Matthews Show aired in syndication on weekends. The show was formatted as a political roundtable consisting of four journalists and Matthews, who served as the moderator.

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April 14, 2008: Allusion to Senate Run on The Colbert Report

On April 14, 2008, during an appearance on The Colbert Report, Chris Matthews alluded to a possible run for the United States Senate from Pennsylvania.

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November 28, 2008: Contacted Obama Campaign Staff About Senate Run

On November 28, 2008, Chris Matthews contacted senior staffers of Barack Obama's campaign regarding a possible Senate run.

January 7, 2009: Decision Not to Run for Senate

On January 7, 2009, The New York Times reported that Chris Matthews informed his staff that he would not be running for the Senate.

2013: Contract Extension with MSNBC and End of The Chris Matthews Show

In 2013, Chris Matthews announced a long-term contract extension with MSNBC but also announced he would no longer host The Chris Matthews Show, with the final episode airing on July 21, to focus on Hardball, book writing, and documentaries.

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2013: Long-term Contract with MSNBC

In 2013, MSNBC executed a long-term contract with Chris Matthews to retain him with the network at least through the 2016 election.

2013: The Chris Matthews Show Ended

In 2013, The Chris Matthews Show aired its final episode, concluding its run since 2002 as a political roundtable program.

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May 4, 2014: Commencement Speaker at Ohio State University

On May 4, 2014, Chris Matthews was the commencement speaker at Ohio State University.

May 15, 2015: Commencement Speaker at Merrimack College

On May 15, 2015, Chris Matthews served as the commencement speaker at Merrimack College.

December 2018: Interview with Tulsi Gabbard

In December 2018, Chris Matthews interviewed U.S. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, who mentioned she was "seriously considering" running for President.

March 2, 2020: Retirement from Hardball

On March 2, 2020, Chris Matthews announced his immediate retirement from Hardball, alluding to claims of inappropriate comments that had resurfaced.

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November 2020: Expected Retirement Date

In November 2020, Chris Matthews was originally expected to retire after the 2020 election cycle, but he retired earlier in March.

2020: Retirement from Hardball

In 2020, Chris Matthews announced his retirement on his final episode of Hardball with Chris Matthews following an accusation of inappropriate comments made to a guest four years earlier.

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