Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jim Cramer

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 8, 2026

Discover the career path of Jim Cramer, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jim Cramer is a prominent American television personality, author, and former hedge fund manager best known for hosting CNBC's "Mad Money." After graduating from Harvard, he worked at Goldman Sachs before founding his own hedge fund, Cramer Berkowitz. He also co-founded TheStreet.com. Cramer gained widespread recognition for his energetic and often controversial commentary on the stock market and investment strategies. He has authored several books on investing, aiming to provide accessible advice to retail investors. His career blends finance, media, and entertainment, making him a significant figure in financial journalism and popular culture.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1971: First Jobs

In 1971, Jim Cramer started his first jobs selling Coca-Cola and then ice cream at Veterans Stadium during Philadelphia Phillies games.

March 1, 1978: Began working for the Tallahassee Democrat

Beginning on March 1, 1978, Jim Cramer worked for the Tallahassee Democrat in Tallahassee, Florida, where he covered the Ted Bundy murders.

1984: Graduated from Harvard Law School

In 1984, Jim Cramer received a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School, funding his tuition through stock market investments. During this time, he assisted Alan Dershowitz with the Claus von Bülow case.

1984: Worked at Goldman Sachs

In 1984, Jim Cramer worked in sales and trading at New York investment bank Goldman Sachs.

1985: Admitted to the New York State Bar

In 1985, Jim Cramer was admitted to the New York State Bar, though he did not practice law.

1987: Started Cramer & Co. Hedge Fund

In 1987, Jim Cramer left Goldman Sachs and started a hedge fund, Cramer & Co., later known as Cramer, Berkowitz & Co., with initial investors including Eliot Spitzer and Martin Peretz.

1987: Sold all stocks before Black Monday

In 1987, Jim Cramer said he sold all of his stocks on the Friday before Black Monday.

1988: Start of Successful Period for Hedge Fund

From 1988 to 2000, Jim Cramer stated that he had only one year of negative returns in 1998 when the S&P 500 Index rose 29%.

1996: Launched TheStreet

In 1996, Jim Cramer and Martin Peretz launched TheStreet, a financial news and investment website.

1998: Year of Negative Returns

In 1998, Jim Cramer experienced a year of negative returns with his hedge fund. The S&P 500 Index rose 29% that year.

1999: Hedge Fund Returns 47%

In 1999, Jim Cramer's hedge fund returned 47%.

1999: Recommended Investing in Technology Stocks

In January 2000, Jim Cramer recommended investing in technology stocks, suggesting a repeat of the stock performance of 1999.

January 2000: Recommended Investing in Technology Stocks

In January 2000, Jim Cramer recommended investing in technology stocks, suggesting a repeat of the stock performance of 1999.

February 2000: Cramer's Stock Picks

In February 2000, Jim Cramer said he produced a 36% return and highlighted ten stocks he favored: 724 Solutions, Ariba, Digital Island, Exodus Communications, InfoSpace, Inktomi, Mercury Interactive, Sonera, VeriSign, and Veritas Software. He also dismissed the investing strategy of Benjamin Graham and David Dodd.

2000: Self-Reported 36% Return

In 2000, Jim Cramer self-reported a 36% return as manager of his hedge fund, at the peak of the dot-com bubble.

2000: Hedge Fund Returns 28%

In 2000, Jim Cramer's hedge fund returned 28%, beating the S&P 500 by 38 percentage points.

2001: Started Real Money Radio Show

In 2001, Jim Cramer began hosting a syndicated one-hour radio show, Real Money, which eventually led to Mad Money.

2001: Retired from Managing Hedge Fund

In 2001, Jim Cramer retired from managing his hedge fund, which was then taken over by his former partner, Jeff Berkowitz.

2001: Retired from Hedge Fund Management

Until his retirement from hedge fund management in 2001, Jim Cramer stated he realized a "rate of return of 24% after all fees for 15 years".

2002: Co-hosted Kudlow & Cramer

From 2002 to 2005, Jim Cramer co-hosted Kudlow & Cramer (first called America Now) with Larry Kudlow on CNBC.

2005: Co-hosted Kudlow & Cramer

From 2002 to 2005, Jim Cramer co-hosted Kudlow & Cramer (first called America Now) with Larry Kudlow on CNBC.

2005: Mad Money Aired on CNBC

In 2005, Mad Money with Jim Cramer first aired on CNBC, aiming to provide DIY investors with knowledge and tools. Cramer is restricted from owning stocks discussed on the show.