History of Jon Stewart in Timeline
Jon Stewart is a highly acclaimed American comedian, writer, producer, director, political commentator, actor, and television host. He is best known for hosting The Daily Show from 1999 to 2015 and returning to the show in 2024. Stewart also hosted The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+ from 2021 to 2023. Throughout his career, he has received numerous awards, including 23 Primetime Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards, and the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
1931: Father Donald Leibowitz Born
In 1931, Jon Stewart's father, Donald Leibowitz, was born.
November 28, 1962: Jon Stewart Born
On November 28, 1962, Jonathan Stuart Leibowitz, known professionally as Jon Stewart, was born. He later became a comedian, writer, producer, director, political commentator, actor, and television host.
1971: Albert becomes head coach of the Tribe men's soccer team
In 1971, Al Albert became the head coach of the Tribe men's soccer team until 2003.
1980: Graduates Lawrence High School
In 1980, Jon Stewart graduated from Lawrence High School.
1981: Three-year starter for the Tribe soccer team
In 1981, Jon Stewart became a three-year starter for the Tribe men's soccer team.
1982: Three-year starter for the Tribe soccer team
In 1982, Jon Stewart continued as a three-year starter for the Tribe men's soccer team.
1983: Three-year starter for the Tribe soccer team
In 1983, Jon Stewart was in his third year as a starter for the Tribe men's soccer team.
1984: Graduates from William & Mary
In 1984, Jon Stewart graduated from the College of William & Mary with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
1986: Returns to New York City
In 1986, Jon Stewart returned to New York City to pursue comedy.
1988: Voted Republican in Presidential Election
In 1988, Jon Stewart voted for Republican George H. W. Bush over Michael Dukakis in the presidential election, respecting Bush's integrity.
1989: Writer for Caroline's Comedy Hour
In 1989, Jon Stewart landed his first television job as a writer for "Caroline's Comedy Hour".
1990: Co-hosts Short Attention Span Theater
In 1990, Jon Stewart began co-hosting Comedy Central's "Short Attention Span Theater".
March 6, 1992: Appearance on Late Night with David Letterman
On March 6, 1992, Jon Stewart appeared on NBC's "Late Night with David Letterman", which he credits with helping his career take off.
1992: Hosts You Wrote It, You Watch It
In 1992, Jon Stewart hosted "You Wrote It, You Watch It" on MTV.
1993: Hosts The Jon Stewart Show
In 1993, Jon Stewart began hosting "The Jon Stewart Show" on MTV.
1994: Syndicated late-night version of The Jon Stewart Show.
In 1994, Paramount launched an hour-long syndicated late-night version of The Jon Stewart Show.
June 1995: The Jon Stewart Show Canceled
In June 1995, "The Jon Stewart Show" was canceled due to dismal ratings.
1995: The Jon Stewart Show Ends
In 1995, "The Jon Stewart Show" was retooled, dropped by MTV, and moved to syndication.
1995: Signs Deal with Miramax
In 1995, Jon Stewart signed a three-year deal with Miramax.
1995: Stewart's Blind Date with Tracey McShane
In 1995, a production assistant on Wishful Thinking arranged a blind date between Jon Stewart and Tracey Lynn McShane.
October 6, 1996: Where's Elvis This Week? Premieres
On October 6, 1996, "Where's Elvis This Week?", a short-lived talk show hosted by Jon Stewart, premiered in the UK on BBC Two.
1996: Last Stand-up Special Before HBO
In 1996, Jon Stewart performed his last stand-up special before HBO announced a new one in July 2017. That special ultimately never aired.
1997: Hosts George Carlin Special
In 1997, Jon Stewart was chosen as the host and interviewer for George Carlin's tenth HBO special, "George Carlin: 40 Years of Comedy".
1998: Hosts Elmopalooza
In 1998, Jon Stewart hosted the television special, "Elmopalooza", celebrating 30 years of Sesame Street.
1998: Releases Naked Pictures of Famous People
In 1998, Jon Stewart released his first book, "Naked Pictures of Famous People", a collection of humorous short stories and essays, which reached The New York Times Best Seller List.
January 11, 1999: First Daily Show Appearance
On January 11, 1999, Jon Stewart made his first on-air appearance on "The Daily Show" and told his guest, Michael J. Fox, that he felt as if "this is my bar mitzvah".
1999: Joins The Daily Show
In 1999, Jon Stewart became the host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, a satirical news program.
2000: The Daily Show Receives Peabody Award for "Indecision 2000"
In 2000, Jon Stewart and other members of The Daily Show received a Peabody Award for "Indecision 2000", covering the 2000 presidential election.
2000: Describes Political Affiliation
In 2000, Jon Stewart described his political affiliation as more socialist or independent than Democratic, despite generally agreeing with being labeled a Democrat.
2000: Stewart Marries Tracey McShane
In 2000, Jon Stewart married Tracey Lynn McShane after proposing to her through a personalized crossword puzzle created with the help of Will Shortz, crossword editor at The New York Times.
2000: Peabody Award for "Indecision 2000"
In 2000, The Daily Show won a Peabody Award for its coverage of the US presidential election, called "Indecision 2000".
June 19, 2001: Stewart Changes Surname
On June 19, 2001, Jon Stewart and Tracey Lynn McShane filed a joint name change application legally changing their surnames to "Stewart".
September 11, 2001: Attacks on World Trade Center and New York City
On September 11, 2001, the World Trade Center and New York City were attacked.
September 20, 2001: First Show After 9/11
On September 20, 2001, The Daily Show aired its first show after the September 11 attacks. The show began with no introduction and featured a tearful Jon Stewart discussing his personal views on the tragedy.
2001: First Grammy Awards Hosting Gig
In 2001, Jon Stewart hosted the Grammy Awards for the first time.
2001: Legally changes his surname
In 2001, Jonathan Leibowitz legally changed his surname to "Stewart".
2001: The Daily Show Wins Primetime Emmy Award
In 2001, The Daily Show received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program.
2002: Appears in Death to Smoochy
In 2002, Jon Stewart appeared in the film "Death to Smoochy."
2002: Second Time Hosting Grammy Awards
In 2002, Jon Stewart hosted the Grammy Awards for the second time.
2002: Busboy Productions plans sitcom for NBC starring Stephen Colbert
In 2002, Jon Stewart's production company Busboy Productions planned to produce a sitcom for NBC starring Stephen Colbert, but the show did not come to fruition.
2002: ABC Offers Stewart a Talk Show
In late 2002, ABC offered Jon Stewart his own talk show to air after Nightline, but ABC ultimately gave the slot to Jimmy Kimmel.
2002: Rumors of Stewart Replacing Letterman
In mid-2002, there were rumors that Jon Stewart might replace David Letterman on CBS if Letterman switched to ABC. Ultimately, Letterman renewed his contract with CBS.
December 2003: Stewart Named "Who's Next?" by Newsweek
In December 2003, Newsweek named Jon Stewart the "Who's Next?" person for 2004, predicting his rise to sensation.
2003: Albert leaves post of head coach of the Tribe men's soccer team
Al Albert was head coach of the Tribe men's soccer team from 1971 until 2003.
2003: The Daily Show Wins Two Primetime Emmy Awards
In 2003, The Daily Show received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program, and also for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series.
October 15, 2004: Crossfire Appearance
On October 15, 2004, Jon Stewart appeared on CNN's Crossfire with Tucker Carlson, criticizing television journalism and urging the hosts to "stop hurting America," referring to Carlson and co-host Paul Begala as "partisan hacks."
2004: Newsweek Claims Stewart is an Absolute Sensation
At the end of 2004, Newsweek claimed they had correctly predicted that Jon Stewart would emerge as an absolute sensation.
2004: Release of 'America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction'
In 2004, Jon Stewart and The Daily Show writing staff released "America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction", which sold millions of copies and became a top-fifteen best seller. Jon Stewart also delivered the commencement address at the College of William & Mary.
2004: The Daily Show Receives Peabody Award for "Indecision 2004"
In 2004, Jon Stewart and other members of The Daily Show received a Peabody Award for "Indecision 2004", covering the 2004 presidential election.
2004: Co-authors America (The Book)
In 2004, Jon Stewart co-authored the satirical book "America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction."
2004: Critique of Crossfire
In 2004, Jon Stewart criticized CNN's 'Crossfire' for failing to inform viewers about politics, accusing the show of partisan hackery and comparing it to pro wrestling's athletic competition claims. He clashed with Tucker Carlson over softball questions to John Kerry, media integrity, and the show's format.
2004: Stewart Receives Honorary Doctorate from William & Mary
In 2004, Jon Stewart spoke at the commencement ceremonies at his alma mater, William & Mary, and received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree. He was also the Class Day keynote speaker at Princeton University in 2004.
2004: The Daily Show Wins Two Primetime Emmy Awards
In 2004, The Daily Show received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program, and also for Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series.
2004: Peabody Award for "Indecision 2004"
In 2004, The Daily Show won a Peabody Award for its coverage of the US presidential election, called "Indecision 2004".
January 2005: CNN Cancels Crossfire
In January 2005, CNN announced the cancellation of Crossfire. CNN's incoming president, Jonathan Klein, cited Jon Stewart's appearance as influencing the decision, acknowledging Stewart's point about the show's noise level failing to illuminate the issues of the day.
2005: Comedy Central Backs Busboy Productions
In 2005, Comedy Central reached an agreement with Busboy, Jon Stewart's production company, to provide financial backing with a first-look agreement on all projects.
2005: Stewart and The Daily Show Receive Orwell Award
In 2005, Jon Stewart and The Daily Show received the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) George Orwell Award for Distinguished Contribution to Honesty and Clarity in Public Language.
2005: Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album
In 2005, Jon Stewart and The Daily Show won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for the audiobook edition of America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction.
2005: Executive Produces The Colbert Report
In 2005, Jon Stewart became the executive producer of "The Colbert Report".
2005: Voices James A. Garfield
In 2005, Jon Stewart provided the voice of President James A. Garfield for the audiobook version of Sarah Vowell's Assassination Vacation.
2005: Stewart Named Among Time 100
In 2005, Jon Stewart was named among the Time 100, Time magazine's annual list of the 100 most influential people of the year.
2005: The Daily Show Wins Primetime Emmy Award and Stewart Wins Grammy
In 2005, The Daily Show received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program. Jon Stewart also won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for his recording, America (The Book): A Citizen's Guide to Democracy Inaction.
March 5, 2006: Hosts 78th Academy Awards
On March 5, 2006, Jon Stewart hosted the 78th Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood. Critical response to his performance was mixed, with some comparing him favorably to Johnny Carson and others criticizing his humorlessness.
April 4, 2006: Stewart Confronts John McCain on The Daily Show
On April 4, 2006, Jon Stewart confronted US Senator John McCain on The Daily Show about his decision to appear at Liberty University, which was followed by media coverage.
2006: Stewart Receives Honorary All-America Award
In 2006, Jon Stewart was presented an Honorary All-America Award by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
2006: The Daily Show Wins Primetime Emmy Award
In 2006, The Daily Show received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program.
2007: Stewart Criticizes Hannity's Support of Nugent's Rhetoric
In 2007, Jon Stewart criticized Sean Hannity for frequently calling Ted Nugent a "friend and frequent guest" on his program and supporting Nugent's violent rhetoric toward Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
2007: Makes cameo appearance in Evan Almighty
In 2007, Jon Stewart made a cameo appearance as himself in the movie "Evan Almighty", starring former Daily Show correspondent Steve Carell.
2007: Stewart Supports Writers Guild of America Strike
In 2007, Jon Stewart supported the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike. On The Daily Show episode just before the strike, he sarcastically commented about how Comedy Central had made available all episodes for free on their website, but without advertising, and said, "go support our advertisers".
2007: Voices Mort Sinclaire
In 2007, Jon Stewart voiced Mort Sinclaire, former TV comedy writer and communist, on Stephen Colbert's audiobook version of I Am America (And So Can You!).
2007: The Daily Show involved in Stephen Colbert's presidential announcement
In 2007, The Daily Show was involved in former correspondent Stephen Colbert's announcement that he would run for president in 2008.
2007: Writers Guild Strike of 2007-2008
The Writers Guild Strike of 2007-2008 also was responsible for a notable mock feud between Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O'Brien in early 2008. Without writers to help fuel their banter, the three comedians concocted a crossover/rivalry to garner more viewers during the ratings slump.
January 7, 2008: Stewart Returns to The Daily Show Without Title
On January 7, 2008, Jon Stewart returned to the show after the start of the Writers Guild strike, but refused to use the title "The Daily Show", stating the show was made with all of the people responsible for the broadcast, including his writers. During the strike, he referred to his show as A Daily Show with Jon Stewart.
February 13, 2008: Writers Guild Strike Ends
On February 13, 2008, the Writers Guild strike ended, allowing The Daily Show to resume its normal production.
February 24, 2008: Hosts 80th Academy Awards
On February 24, 2008, Jon Stewart returned to host the 80th Academy Awards. The reception to his performance was improved compared to his previous hosting gig, with many praising his playful and irreverent tone.
2008: Stewart Earning $14 Million a Year
According to a Forbes list of celebrities in 2008, Jon Stewart was earning $14 million a year.
2008: Stewart Appears on Democracy Now!
In 2008, Jon Stewart appeared on the news program Democracy Now!. A New York Times story questioned whether he was "the most trusted man in America".
2008: Stewart Speaks at Hamilton College
In 2008, Jon Stewart was the Sacerdote Great Names speaker at Hamilton College.
2008: Mock Feud Among Stewart, Colbert, and O'Brien
In early 2008, Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, and Conan O'Brien engaged in a notable mock feud during the Writers Guild strike. Without writers to help fuel their banter, the three comedians concocted a crossover/rivalry to garner more viewers during the ratings slump. The feud ended on Late Night with Conan O'Brien with a mock brawl involving the three hosts.
March 4, 2009: CNBC Cancels Appearance on The Daily Show
On March 4, 2009, CNBC canceled Rick Santelli's scheduled appearance on The Daily Show, leading to a segment showing CNBC giving poor investment advice, which became a viral internet phenomenon.
March 2009: Stewart Criticizes White House Proposal on Veterans' Healthcare
In March 2009, Jon Stewart criticized a White House proposal to remove veterans from Veterans Administration rolls if they had private health insurance; the White House dropped the plan the next day.
March 18, 2009: Carlson's Blog Entry Criticizing Stewart
On March 18, 2009, Tucker Carlson criticized Jon Stewart in a blog entry for The Daily Beast regarding Stewart's handling of the CNBC controversy. Carlson referenced their previous CNN incident and claimed Stewart lectured the staff backstage for an hour.
April 21, 2009: Stewart Made Chief in Liberia
On April 21, 2009, Jon Stewart was made a chief by the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
November 2009: Stewart criticizes Fox News for misrepresenting Tea Party rally attendance
In November 2009, Jon Stewart criticized Fox News for using old footage of a Tea Party rally during a report about a more recent rally, making it seem like the latter event was better attended than it actually was. Sean Hannity, an anchor at Fox News, apologized for using the footage the following night.
December 2009: Speech Honoring Bruce Springsteen
In December 2009, Jon Stewart gave a speech at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts honoring Bruce Springsteen, as part of the Kennedy Center Honors.
2009: Confrontation with Jim Cramer on The Daily Show
In 2009, Jon Stewart had a face-to-face confrontation on The Daily Show with Jim Cramer, following media coverage of their exchanges. The episode garnered significant attention, becoming one of the show's most-viewed, with Cramer acknowledging some of Stewart's criticisms of CNBC.
2009: The Daily Show Wins Primetime Emmy Award
In 2009, The Daily Show received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program.
March 2010: Stewart Options Rights to Maziar Bahari's Story
In March 2010, Jon Stewart announced that he had optioned the rights to the story of journalist Maziar Bahari, who was imprisoned in Iran for 118 days.
April 2010: Comedy Central Renews Stewart's Contract
In April 2010, Comedy Central renewed Jon Stewart's contract to host The Daily Show into 2013.
September 16, 2010: Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear Announced
On September 16, 2010, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert announced a rally for October 30, known as the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear.
October 26, 2010: Stewart Named Most Influential Man of 2010
On October 26, 2010, Jon Stewart was named the Most Influential Man of 2010 by AskMen.
December 2010: Stewart Credited with Raising Awareness of 9/11 Health Bill
In December 2010, Jon Stewart was credited with bringing awareness to the Republican filibuster on the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, which led to its passing.
2010: Stewart Intensifies Criticism of Fox News
In 2010, Jon Stewart increased his criticism of Fox News. Within five months, The Daily Show aired 24 segments that were critical of Fox News coverage. Bill O'Reilly, who hosted The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News, responded by calling The Daily Show a key component of left-wing television and said that Stewart loved Fox News because it was "not boring."
2010: Stewart Interviews 9/11 First Responders
In 2010, Jon Stewart interviewed a panel of four 9/11 first responders—Kenny Specht with the FDNY, Chris Bowman NYPD, Ken George DOT, and Kevin Devlin, Operating Engineer of Heavy Equipment—on The Daily Show, who discussed their health problems.
2010: Hannity Criticizes Stewart's Rally Association
In 2010, Sean Hannity criticized Stewart for associating himself with Cat Stevens during his rally.
January 10, 2011: Monologue on Tucson Shootings
On January 10, 2011, Jon Stewart began The Daily Show with a monologue about the shootings in Tucson, Arizona, and featured a rerun of a field piece by Jason Jones after the commercial break.
June 6, 2011: Bahari Hosts The Daily Show
On June 6, 2011, Jon Stewart hosted Maziar Bahari on The Daily Show.
June 2011: Daily Show Bit About Herman Cain
In June 2011, The Daily Show aired a bit about Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain that made writer Wyatt Cenac uncomfortable.
June 19, 2011: Stewart Calls Chris Wallace "Insane" and Criticizes Fox Viewers
On June 19, 2011, during an interview with Chris Wallace, Jon Stewart called Wallace "insane" for suggesting that Stewart's comparison of a Sarah Palin campaign video and an anti-herpes medicine ad was a political comment. Stewart also stated that Fox viewers were the "most consistently misinformed" viewers of political media, a claim later rated as false with conditions by PolitiFact. Stewart later acknowledged his error.
October 2011: Meeting with President Obama
In October 2011, Jon Stewart had a meeting with President Obama at the White House.
2011: The Daily Show Wins Primetime Emmy Award
In 2011, The Daily Show received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program.
March 2012: Interview with Bruce Springsteen
In March 2012, Jon Stewart interviewed Bruce Springsteen for Rolling Stone.
June 1, 2012: Attended Johan Santana's no-hitter
On June 1, 2012, Jon Stewart, a lifelong fan of the New York Mets, attended the game where Johan Santana threw the first no-hitter in the team's history.
2012: The Daily Show Wins Primetime Emmy Award
In 2012, The Daily Show received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program.
February 2013: Tribute to Bruce Springsteen at MusiCares
In February 2013, Jon Stewart gave another speech paying tribute to Bruce Springsteen as part of the singer's MusiCares Person of the Year award ceremony.
March 2013: Stewart Leaves The Daily Show to Direct Rosewater
In March 2013, Jon Stewart announced that he was leaving The Daily Show for 12 weeks to direct the film version of Maziar Bahari's book, Then They Came For Me, titled Rosewater.
March 2013: Hiatus to Direct Rosewater Announced
In March 2013, it was announced that Jon Stewart would be taking a 12-week hiatus from The Daily Show to direct the film Rosewater, based on the book Then They Came for Me by Maziar Bahari.
June 10, 2013: John Oliver Assumes Hosting Duties
Beginning June 10, 2013, The Daily Show correspondent John Oliver assumed primary hosting duties during Jon Stewart's break.
2013: Purchase of Bufflehead Farm
In 2013, Jon Stewart and his wife acquired a 12-acre farm in Middletown, New Jersey, named "Bufflehead Farm", which they operate as an animal sanctuary for abused animals.
2013: Father Donald Leibowitz Death
In 2013, Jon Stewart's father, Donald Leibowitz, died.
2013: The Colbert Report Wins Emmy Awards
In 2013, The Colbert Report received the Primetime Emmy Award for both Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program and Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series, awards which previously had been won by The Daily Show.
2013: Stewart's Contract to host Daily Show renewed into 2013
In April 2010, Comedy Central renewed Jon Stewart's contract to host The Daily Show into 2013.
2013: John Oliver hosts The Daily Show
In the summer of 2013, John Oliver had a stint as the host of The Daily Show.
February 2014: Meeting with President Obama
In February 2014, Jon Stewart had a meeting with President Obama at the White House.
July 14, 2014: Stewart Interviews Hillary Clinton
On July 14, 2014, Jon Stewart interviewed Hillary Clinton about the Middle East and questioned her condemnations of Hamas.
August 2014: Stewart Criticizes Fox News' Coverage of Michael Brown Shooting
In late August 2014, Jon Stewart criticized Fox News for how it portrayed the shooting of Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson in Ferguson, Missouri, and the subsequent protests.
September 2014: Rosewater Premieres at Toronto International Film Festival
In September 2014, Jon Stewart's film Rosewater premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and received "generally favorable" reviews.
November 14, 2014: Rosewater Released to General Audiences
On November 14, 2014, Rosewater, directed by Jon Stewart, was released to general audiences.
2014: The Colbert Report Ends
In 2014, Jon Stewart's role as the executive producer of "The Colbert Report" came to an end.
February 10, 2015: Stewart Announces Departure from The Daily Show
On February 10, 2015, Jon Stewart announced that he was leaving The Daily Show.
March 2015: Comedic Feud with Seth Rollins Begins
In March 2015, Jon Stewart began a comedic feud with WWE wrestler Seth Rollins, appearing on WWE Raw in a Daily Show-styled segment hosted by Rollins.
April 20, 2015: Final Show Date Announced
On April 20, 2015, Jon Stewart indicated that his final show would be on August 6, 2015.
June 19, 2015: Stewart's Reaction to Charleston Church Shooting
On June 19, 2015, in the wake of the Charleston Church Shooting, Jon Stewart decided not to write jokes for the opening monologue and instead spoke about racial disparities and injustices in America. He also designated a large portion of the show to Malala Yousafzai.
July 2015: Cenac Reported Stewart Cursing Him
In July 2015, it was reported that Jon Stewart cursed out writer Wyatt Cenac after Cenac acknowledged discomfort about a June 2011 Daily Show bit.
July 28, 2015: Reports of Unreported Meetings with President Obama
On July 28, 2015, it was reported that Jon Stewart had previously unreported meetings with President Obama in October 2011 and February 2014. Stewart responded by pointing out that the meetings were in the public visitor log.
August 5, 2015: Louis C.K. Last Guest on The Daily Show
On August 5, 2015, Jon Stewart's friend, comedian Louis C.K., was selected to be the last guest before the final Daily Show episode with Jon Stewart.
August 6, 2015: Final show as host of Daily Show
On April 20, 2015, Jon Stewart indicated that his final show would be on August 6, 2015.
August 23, 2015: Hosts WWE SummerSlam
On August 23, 2015, Jon Stewart hosted the WWE's SummerSlam at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. He interfered in the main event, helping Seth Rollins retain his WWE World Heavyweight Championship and win John Cena's United States Championship.
November 2015: Stewart Signs Deal with HBO
In November 2015, Jon Stewart signed a four-year deal with HBO for exclusive digital content, including an animated parody of a cable news network. The team began working with OTOY to build the content creation system.
2015: Stewart Adopts Vegetarian Diet
In 2015, Jon Stewart adopted a vegetarian diet for ethical reasons and later became vegan.
2015: Describes Relationship with Father
In 2015, Jon Stewart described his relationship with his father, who had died two years earlier, as "still complicated".
2015: Leaves The Daily Show
In 2015, Jon Stewart ended his long-running tenure as the host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central.
2015: Executive Produces The Nightly Show and The Late Show
In 2015, Jon Stewart started executive producing "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert".
2015: The Daily Show Wins Two Primetime Emmy Awards
In 2015, The Daily Show received Primetime Emmy Awards for both Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program and Outstanding Variety, Music, or Comedy Series for Stewart's final year as host.
2015: Trevor Noah Takes Over The Daily Show
In 2015, Trevor Noah permanently took over hosting duties for The Daily Show.
2015: Stewart Reunites with 9/11 First Responders
In 2015, four months after leaving The Daily Show, Jon Stewart returned to reunite the four 9/11 first responders, though only Kenny Specht was healthy enough to attend. Kevin Devlin had passed away, and Chris Bowman and Ken George were too ill to attend.
2015: Compilation of Mets jokes on The Daily Show
In 2015, shortly before Jon Stewart's departure from The Daily Show, a compilation of his jokes about the New York Mets, his favorite baseball team, was played.
August 21, 2016: SummerSlam special guest
On August 21, 2016, Jon Stewart returned at SummerSlam as a special guest.
2016: Honoring Military Families at Joint Base Andrews
In 2016, Jon Stewart joined President Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden, and David Letterman in honoring military families on May 5 at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, for the USO's 75th anniversary and the fifth anniversary of Joining Forces.
2016: Stewart Receives Peabody Award for Tenure at The Daily Show
In 2016, Jon Stewart received a Peabody Award for his tenure at The Daily Show.
2016: Animated Parody Show Delayed
In 2016, Jon Stewart's animated parody show at HBO faced delays, moving from a fall 2016 premiere to the first quarter of 2017 due to production challenges.
2016: The Nightly Show Ends
In 2016, Jon Stewart's role as executive producer of "The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore" ended.
May 23, 2017: HBO Project Cancelled
On May 23, 2017, HBO cancelled the short-form digital animated project with Jon Stewart due to technical issues related to production and distribution, despite initial high hopes for the project.
June 2017: Eulogy for Ray Pfeifer
In June 2017, Jon Stewart spoke at the funeral service for Ray Pfeifer, an FDNY firefighter from Hicksville, New York, who died after battling cancer related to his service as a first responder at the September 11 attacks.
July 2017: HBO Announces Stand-Up Special
In July 2017, HBO announced that Jon Stewart would produce a stand-up comedy special for the network, which would be his first stand-up special since 1996. However, the special ultimately did not air.
2018: Comedy Tour with Dave Chappelle
In 2018, Jon Stewart and Dave Chappelle embarked on a duo comedy tour, performing in the United States and the United Kingdom. Stewart also performed standup at the 13th Annual Standup for Heroes event alongside John Oliver and Hasan Minhaj.
June 2019: Stewart Testifies Before Congress for 9/11 Fund
In June 2019, Jon Stewart went to Congress to oppose the $7.375 billion limit in pay-outs to 9/11 first responders through December 2020 and to lobby for permanent funding for the Victims Compensation Fund past December 2020, delivering a tearful testimony.
July 12, 2019: House Approves 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Bill
On July 12, 2019, the House overwhelmingly approved the bill for the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund by a vote of 402–12.
December 16, 2019: Stewart Awarded Bronze Medallion for 9/11 Advocacy
On December 16, 2019, Jon Stewart was one of eighteen individuals and organizations awarded the Bronze Medallion, the highest award conferred upon civilians by New York City, for his advocacy on behalf of 9/11 victims and families.
2019: Receives NYC Bronze Medallion
In 2019, Jon Stewart received the New York City Bronze Medallion for his advocacy work for 9/11 first responders.
June 2020: Release of 'Irresistible'
In June 2020, Jon Stewart's film 'Irresistible', a political satire, was released. The film, starring Steve Carell and Chris Cooper, follows a Democratic strategist helping a veteran run for mayor in Wisconsin.
December 2020: Stewart Advocates for 9/11 First Responders Fund
In June 2019, Jon Stewart went to Congress to oppose the $7.375 billion limit in pay-outs to 9/11 first responders through December 2020 and to lobby for permanent funding for the Victims Compensation Fund past December 2020, delivering a tearful testimony.
2020: Supported Joe Biden Candidacy Reluctantly
In 2020, Jon Stewart reluctantly supported Joe Biden's presidential candidacy after describing himself as more of a "Sanders, Warren guy" during the Democratic Party presidential primaries.
September 30, 2021: Premiere of 'The Problem with Jon Stewart'
On September 30, 2021, Jon Stewart's new series, 'The Problem with Jon Stewart', premiered on Apple TV+. The series, featuring hour-long, single-subject episodes, was executive produced by Stewart through Busboy Productions.
2021: Hosts The Problem with Jon Stewart
In 2021, Jon Stewart began hosting "The Problem with Jon Stewart" on Apple TV+.
March 3, 2022: House Passes the PACT Act
On March 3, 2022, the House of Representatives passed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 (PACT Act) by a vote of 256–174.
April 24, 2022: Stewart Awarded Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
On April 24, 2022, Jon Stewart was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., for his lifelong contribution to the world of comedy.
June 16, 2022: Senate Passes the PACT Act
On June 16, 2022, the Senate passed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 (PACT Act) by a vote of 84–14.
July 2022: Presidential Run Speculation
In July 2022, an op-ed by Juleanna Glover in Politico suggested Jon Stewart should run for president in 2024. Stewart responded via Twitter, declining the suggestion.
July 28, 2022: Stewart Holds Press Conference on Capitol Hill Regarding PACT Act
On July 28, 2022, Jon Stewart held a press conference on Capitol Hill to advocate for the passage of the PACT Act.
August 2, 2022: PACT Act Passes in Congress
On August 2, 2022, the PACT Act passed in Congress with bipartisan support, by a vote of 84 to 11.
2022: Receives Mark Twain Prize
In 2022, Jon Stewart received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
2022: Helps Pass the Honoring our PACT Act
In 2022, Jon Stewart was instrumental in helping pass the Honoring our PACT Act, which expands healthcare access and funding to veterans exposed to toxic substances.
2023: Performance at Netflix is a Joke Festival
In 2023, Jon Stewart performed at the comedy festival, Netflix is a Joke, held in Los Angeles.
2023: Ends Hosting The Problem with Jon Stewart
In 2023, Jon Stewart's show, "The Problem with Jon Stewart" on Apple TV+, ended.
2023: Stewart Urges Ceasefire in Gaza War
In 2023, Jon Stewart, along with other media figures, signed the Artists4Ceasefire open letter urging American president Joe Biden to call for a ceasefire in the ongoing Gaza war, criticizing Israel for its military and political conduct in the Palestinian territories.
January 2024: Return to The Daily Show Announced
In January 2024, it was confirmed that Jon Stewart would return to The Daily Show as the weekly Monday guest host starting February 12, 2024. He and his manager, James Dixon, would also serve as executive producers through 2025.
February 12, 2024: Return to The Daily Show
On February 12, 2024, Jon Stewart returned to The Daily Show as the weekly Monday guest host.
February 2024: Returns to The Daily Show in February 2024
In February 2024, Jon Stewart returned to The Daily Show for Monday episodes and as an executive producer.
April 2024: Stewart Claims Apple Restricted Interview with FTC Chair
In April 2024, Jon Stewart claimed that Apple restricted him from interviewing Lina Khan, the Chair of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), on his podcast. This follows a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit against Apple for alleged anti-competitive practices in the smartphone market.
May 2024: Hosting The Weekly Show Podcast
In May 2024, it was announced that Jon Stewart would additionally begin hosting The Weekly Show, an original podcast from Comedy Central. His work on 'The Daily Show' also earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Best Talk Series, marking his 23rd Emmy.
2024: Returns to The Daily Show
In 2024, Jon Stewart returned to The Daily Show, a satirical news program.
2024: Speculation for Presidential Run
In 2024, Juleanna Glover suggested Jon Stewart run for president; however, Stewart promptly declined the invitation.
2025: Contract Extended to 2025
In 2025, Jon Stewart will finish his duties as host for The Daily Show due to his contract extension agreed in late October.
2092: 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund Extended Through 2092
In 2019, the Senate passed the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund through 2092, essentially ensuring health care for 9/11 victims and first responders for life.
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