Harvey Levin is an American television producer, legal analyst, journalist, and lawyer best known as the founder of the celebrity news website TMZ in 2005. He is a media personality with a background in law, transitioning into entertainment and news media. He also hosted OBJECTified on Fox News Channel.
September 2, 1950: Harvey Levin's Birth
On September 2, 1950, Harvey Robert Levin was born in Los Angeles County, California.
1968: High School Graduation
In 1968, Harvey Levin graduated with honors from Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda, Los Angeles.
1972: University Graduation
In 1972, Harvey Levin graduated with a B.A. in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara.
December 18, 1975: Began practicing Law
On December 18, 1975, Harvey Levin began his career as an active attorney in California.
1978: Public Attention
In 1978, Harvey Levin gained public attention following debates with Howard Jarvis on Proposition 13. Levin opposed Proposition 13. After gaining public attention he began to contribute legal advice to a radio show, where he was nicknamed "Doctor Law", as well as write columns for the Los Angeles Times.
1982: KNBC-TV Legal Coverage
In 1982, Harvey Levin covered legal issues for KNBC-TV.
1983: Legal Consultant for The People's Court
In 1983, Harvey Levin joined The People's Court as the show's legal consultant, leading to the production of his media projects under Harvey Levin Productions.
1985: Publication of "The People's Court: How to Tell It to the Judge"
In 1985, Harvey Levin wrote "The People's Court: How to Tell It to the Judge", which reviewed and provided commentary on cases from the show. The Library Journal recommended the book for public libraries.
January 1, 1996: End of law practice
On January 1, 1996, Harvey Levin ended his two-decade career as an active attorney in California.
1997: Co-Executive Producer for The People's Court
In 1997, Harvey Levin was named co-executive producer and on-air legal anchor for The People's Court.
2002: Creation of Celebrity Justice
In 2002, Harvey Levin created Celebrity Justice, a show that ran until 2005.
2005: TMZ Launch and Rise to Prominence
In 2005, AOL and Telepictures Productions launched TMZ with Harvey Levin as the founder and managing editor. The website quickly rose to prominence by breaking high-profile stories.
2005: TMZ Founding
In 2005, Harvey Levin founded the celebrity news website TMZ.
2009: Beyond Twisted Aired
In 2009, Harvey Levin produced Beyond Twisted, which aired for one season before being canceled.
April 2010: Publicly Confirmed Self-Identification as Gay
In April 2010, Harvey Levin publicly confirmed his self-identification as gay at an event speaker for the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association.
2012: Named to Out Magazine's "Power 50"
In 2012, Harvey Levin was named No. 15 to Out magazine's "Power 50" list as one of the most influential voices in LGBT America.
2013: Named to Out Magazine's "Power 50"
In 2013, Harvey Levin was named No. 25 to Out magazine's "Power 50" list.
2014: Creation of Famous in 12
In 2014, Harvey Levin created Famous in 12, a show that was canceled after less than one season.
2014: Named to Out Magazine's "Power 50"
In 2014, Harvey Levin was named No. 34 to Out magazine's "Power 50" list.
2015: Named to Out Magazine's "Power 50"
In 2015, Harvey Levin was named No. 48 to Out magazine's "Power 50" list.
2016: Hosting OBJECTified
In 2016, Harvey Levin became the host of OBJECTified, which aired on the Fox News Channel.
2016: Supported Donald Trump
In 2016, Harvey Levin supported Donald Trump in the run-up to the United States presidential election.
2016: Named to Out Magazine's "Power 50"
In 2016, Harvey Levin was named No. 40 to Out magazine's "Power 50" list.
March 7, 2017: Meeting with Donald Trump
On March 7, 2017, Harvey Levin met with then-President Donald Trump in the Oval Office and chatted for an hour.
August 2018: Distanced himself from Donald Trump
By August 2018, Harvey Levin distanced himself from President Trump over the president's repeated attempts to establish a transgender military ban.
July 2023: The People's Court cancellation
In July 2023, The People's Court, for which Levin was co-executive producer and on-air legal anchor, was cancelled.
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