History of George Stephanopoulos in Timeline
George Stephanopoulos is an American television host, political commentator, and former Democratic advisor. He co-anchors Good Morning America and hosts This Week, ABC's Sunday morning current events news program. He is known for his prominent role in political broadcasting and his earlier career in Democratic politics.
February 10, 1961: George Stephanopoulos Born
On February 10, 1961, George Robert Stephanopoulos was born. He is an American television host, political commentator, and former Democratic advisor.
1965: Supreme Court Ruling Mentioned in Debate
In a 2012 debate, Stephanopoulos questioned Mitt Romney about whether the U.S. Supreme Court should overturn a 1965 ruling that a constitutional right to privacy bars states from banning contraception.
1978: Graduation from Orange High School
In 1978, George Stephanopoulos graduated from Orange High School in Pepper Pike, Ohio.
1982: Graduation from Columbia University
In 1982, Stephanopoulos received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science summa cum laude from Columbia University and was the salutatorian of his class. He was elected to Phi Beta Kappa his junior year and was awarded a Harry S. Truman Scholarship.
1988: Work on Dukakis Presidential Campaign
In 1988, Stephanopoulos worked on the Michael Dukakis U.S. presidential campaign.
September 1991: First Meeting with Clinton
In September 1991, George Stephanopoulos first met Bill Clinton, as detailed in his book.
1992: Leading Member of Clinton's Presidential Campaign
In 1992, Stephanopoulos became a leading member of Clinton's U.S. presidential campaign along with David Wilhelm and James Carville.
1992: Communications Director for Clinton Campaign
In 1992, Stephanopoulos rose to early prominence as a communications director for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign.
1993: Appearance in "The War Room"
In 1993, Stephanopoulos's role in Clinton's campaign was portrayed in the documentary film 'The War Room', which was nominated for the Best Documentary Feature Academy Award.
February 25, 1994: Conference Call on Madison Guaranty Investigation
On February 25, 1994, Stephanopoulos and Harold Ickes held a conference call with Roger Altman to discuss the Resolution Trust Corporation's choice of Republican lawyer Jay Stephens to head the Madison Guaranty investigation, later linked to the Whitewater controversy.
October 1994: Appearance in Friends Episode
In October 1994, Stephanopoulos was mentioned in "The One with George Stephanopoulos", in the first season of the TV series Friends. The main characters spy on him across the street.
1994: Report on Commercial Real Estate Deal
In 1994, Jack Anderson reported that Stephanopoulos signed an $835,000 commercial real estate deal with a below-market loan rate from a bank owned by Hugh McColl, raising questions of potential favoritism.
1994: Effort to Discredit Paula Jones
In 1994, Stephanopoulos and James Carville attempted to discredit Paula Jones's allegations against Bill Clinton, suggesting she sought money and working to prevent her news conference from being televised.
1995: Model for Lewis Rothschild in The American President
In 1995, George Stephanopoulos was the model for the character Lewis Rothschild, played by Michael J. Fox, in the film The American President.
1995: Arrest for traffic incident
In 1995, Stephanopoulos was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident and driving with an expired license and license plates after a collision with a parked vehicle in Georgetown, D.C. The charge of leaving the scene was later dropped.
December 1996: Departure from White House
In December 1996, George Stephanopoulos departed from his role as senior advisor for policy and strategy in the White House.
1996: Inspiration for Henry Burton in Primary Colors
In 1996, George Stephanopoulos served as the inspiration for the character of Henry Burton in Joe Klein's novel, Primary Colors.
1996: Resignation from Clinton Administration
In 1996, Stephanopoulos resigned from the Clinton administration shortly after Clinton was re-elected. He recognized the potential damage of the Lewinsky affair.
1998: Henry Burton in Primary Colors film adaptation
In 1998, the character of Henry Burton, inspired by George Stephanopoulos, was portrayed by Adrian Lester in the film adaptation of Primary Colors.
1999: Defamation Lawsuit by Gennifer Flowers
In 1999, Stephanopoulos was sued for defamation by Gennifer Flowers over comments about her affair allegations with Bill Clinton, which he dismissed as "tabloid trash." The suit was dismissed.
1999: Publication of "All Too Human"
In 1999, Stephanopoulos's memoir, 'All Too Human: A Political Education', was published and became a number-one bestseller on The New York Times Best Seller list for five weeks.
2000: Most Eligible Bachelor
In 2000, George Stephanopoulos was listed in People magazine as one of the 'Most Wanted' bachelors.
2001: Marriage to Ali Wentworth
In 2001, George Stephanopoulos married Ali Wentworth at the Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in New York City.
September 2002: Host of 'This Week'
In September 2002, Stephanopoulos became the host of 'This Week'.
2002: Birth of First Daughter
In 2002, George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth welcomed their first daughter.
2003: Keynote Speaker at Columbia University
In 2003, George Stephanopoulos returned to Columbia University as the keynote speaker at Columbia College's Class Day.
December 2005: Named ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent
In December 2005, ABC News officially named Stephanopoulos 'Chief Washington Correspondent'.
2005: ABC Considered Replacing Anchor
In 2005, ABC News executives reportedly considered replacing the 'This Week' anchor due to low ratings.
2005: Birth of Second Daughter
In 2005, George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth welcomed their second daughter.
May 2007: Honorary Doctor of Laws from St. John's University
In May 2007, George Stephanopoulos received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from St. John's University in New York City.
April 16, 2008: Co-Moderation of Democratic Presidential Debate
On April 16, 2008, Stephanopoulos co-moderated the Democratic Party presidential debate between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, receiving criticism for focusing on campaign controversies.
2008: Launch of George's Bottom Line Blog
During the 2008 presidential election campaign, Stephanopoulos launched a blog called 'George's Bottom Line' on the ABC News website, where he shared political news and analysis.
January 11, 2009: 'This Week' Beats 'Meet the Press'
On January 11, 2009, 'This Week' beat 'Meet the Press' in ratings when Stephanopoulos interviewed president-elect Barack Obama.
December 14, 2009: Started Co-Anchoring GMA
On December 14, 2009, Stephanopoulos began co-anchoring 'Good Morning America'.
December 2009: Offered Anchor Job on Good Morning America
In December 2009, Stephanopoulos was offered Diane Sawyer's job on 'Good Morning America' after Sawyer was named anchor of 'World News'.
January 10, 2010: Final Broadcast as Permanent Host of This Week
On January 10, 2010, Stephanopoulos had his last broadcast as the permanent host of 'This Week'.
2010: Attendance at Jeffrey Epstein's Dinner Party
In 2010, Stephanopoulos attended a dinner party at the home of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
December 2011: Return as Host of This Week
In December 2011, it was announced that Stephanopoulos would return as host of 'This Week' after Christiane Amanpour left the show.
January 7, 2012: Co-Moderated Republican Debate
On January 7, 2012, Stephanopoulos co-moderated a debate among Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum.
2012: Donation to Clinton Foundation
In 2012, Stephanopoulos donated $25,000 to the Clinton Foundation, one of three such donations.
2013: Appearance in House of Cards
In 2013, George Stephanopoulos played himself in House of Cards.
2013: Donation to Clinton Foundation
In 2013, Stephanopoulos donated $25,000 to the Clinton Foundation, one of three such donations.
2014: Appearance in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
In 2014, George Stephanopoulos played himself in an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. titled "Shadows".
2014: Donation to Clinton Foundation
In 2014, Stephanopoulos donated $25,000 to the Clinton Foundation, one of three such donations.
April 26, 2015: Interview with Peter Schweizer
On April 26, 2015, Stephanopoulos interviewed Peter Schweizer, author of 'Clinton Cash', without disclosing his own donations to the Clinton Foundation.
February 2016: Withdrawal from Republican Debate Moderation
In February 2016, Stephanopoulos withdrew from moderating a Republican presidential primary debate due to concerns over bias and conflict of interest stemming from donations to the Clinton Foundation.
September 2016: Featured on Greek Postage Stamp
In September 2016, George Stephanopoulos was featured on a Greek postage stamp along with other notable Greek-Americans.
July 2019: Backlash Following Epstein's Arrest
Following Jeffrey Epstein's arrest in July 2019, the guest list of a 2010 dinner party Stephanopoulos attended was reported online, leading to backlash.
2020: End of Chief Anchor Role at ABC News
In 2020, Stephanopoulos stepped down as Chief Anchor at ABC News, while retaining his roles on GMA and This Week.
2021: Portrayal in Impeachment: American Crime Story
In 2021, George Stephanopoulos was portrayed by George H. Xanthis in two episodes of Impeachment: American Crime Story.
2021: ABC Deal Extended
In 2021, Stephanopoulos signed a deal to stay with ABC worth $105 million.
July 2022: Mention in Loot
In July 2022, George Stephanopoulos was referenced in an episode of Loot, season 1 episode 4.
March 19, 2024: Defamation Lawsuit Filed by Donald Trump
On March 19, 2024, Donald Trump filed a defamation lawsuit in Florida against ABC News and Stephanopoulos over comments made on a March 10 airing of This Week, related to the E. Jean Carroll case.
July 2024: Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss
In July 2024, Judge Cecilia Altonaga, presiding over the suit brought by Trump, denied a motion to dismiss by Stephanopoulos, finding that the technical definition used by the judge in the New York case did not examine the findings made by the jury, which was "sexual abuse", not "rape".
December 14, 2024: Defamation Lawsuit Settled
On December 14, 2024, George Stephanopoulos and ABC News settled the defamation lawsuit filed by Donald Trump, agreeing to pay $15 million to Trump's presidential library, $1 million for Trump's legal fees, and issuing a public apology for false statements made during a March 10 interview.
