History of Lawrence O'Donnell in Timeline
Lawrence O'Donnell Jr. is an American television anchor known for hosting "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell" on MSNBC. Beyond his role as a news program host, he is a liberal political commentator, author, screenwriter, and actor. He is noted for his liberal political commentary and activism through his show.
November 7, 1951: Lawrence O'Donnell Born
On November 7, 1951, Lawrence Francis O'Donnell Jr. was born. He is known as an American television anchor, actor, author, screenwriter, liberal political commentator, and host of The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell.
1970: Graduation from St. Sebastian's School
In 1970, Lawrence O'Donnell graduated from St. Sebastian's School, where he captained the baseball team and played wide receiver on the football team.
1976: Graduates from Harvard College
In 1976, Lawrence O'Donnell graduated from Harvard College with a degree in economics. During his time at Harvard, he also wrote for the Harvard Lampoon.
1983: Publishes 'Deadly Force'
In 1983, Lawrence O'Donnell published his book, Deadly Force, which is about a case of wrongful death and police brutality where his father served as the plaintiff's lawyer.
1986: 'Deadly Force' Film Adaptation
In 1986, Lawrence O'Donnell's book 'Deadly Force' was adapted into a film titled 'A Case of Deadly Force,' where he served as an associate producer.
1988: End of Writing Career
In 1988, Lawrence O'Donnell ended his writing career.
1989: Legislative Aide to Senator Moynihan
In 1989, Lawrence O'Donnell became a legislative aide to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
1989: Begins Political Career
In 1989, O'Donnell started his political career as an aide to U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, eventually becoming staff director for the Senate Finance Committee.
1991: Senior Advisor to Moynihan
From 1989 to 1991, Lawrence O'Donnell served as senior adviser to Moynihan.
1992: Staff director of Environment and Public Works
From 1992 to 1993, Lawrence O'Donnell served as staff director of Environment and Public Works senate committees that Moynihan was chairing.
1993: Staff director of Finance
From 1993 to 1995, Lawrence O'Donnell served as staff director of Finance senate committees that Moynihan was chairing.
February 14, 1994: Marriage to Kathryn Harrold
On February 14, 1994, Lawrence O'Donnell married Kathryn Harrold.
1995: End of time as Legislative Aide to Senator Moynihan
In 1995, Lawrence O'Donnell's time as a legislative aide to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan ended.
1999: Associated with The West Wing
In 1999, Lawrence O'Donnell began his association with the television drama The West Wing, writing 16 episodes and serving as executive story editor for 12 episodes (1999-2000).
2000: Co-producer and Producer for The West Wing
In 2000, Lawrence O'Donnell served as a co-producer for five episodes and a producer for 17 episodes of The West Wing.
2001: Honorary Degree from Suffolk University
In 2001, Lawrence O'Donnell was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL) by Suffolk University.
2001: Primetime Emmy Award for The West Wing
In 2001, Lawrence O'Donnell won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series for his work on The West Wing.
2002: Producer and Writer for First Monday
In 2002, Lawrence O'Donnell was the supervising producer and writer for the television drama First Monday.
2003: Consulting Producer for The West Wing
From 2003 to 2005, Lawrence O'Donnell served as a consulting producer for 44 episodes of The West Wing.
2003: Creator, EP, and Writer for Mister Sterling
In 2003, Lawrence O'Donnell served as creator, executive producer, and writer for the television drama Mister Sterling.
2005: Executive Producer for The West Wing
From 2005 to 2006, Lawrence O'Donnell was an executive producer for 22 episodes of The West Wing.
2005: Calls Himself a Socialist
In 2005, Lawrence O'Donnell called himself a "practical European socialist".
2006: Nominated for Emmy for The West Wing
In 2006, Lawrence O'Donnell was nominated for an Emmy in the Outstanding Drama Series category for The West Wing.
2007: Criticizes Mitt Romney's Speech
In 2007, Lawrence O'Donnell criticized Mitt Romney's speech on religion.
2009: Contributor on Morning Joe
In 2009, Lawrence O'Donnell became a regular contributor on Morning Joe with Joe Scarborough. His debate style led to confrontations.
September 27, 2010: Hosts 'The Last Word'
On September 27, 2010, Lawrence O'Donnell began hosting 'The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell' on MSNBC.
October 2010: Criticism for Ron Paul Interview
During an October 2010 interview, Lawrence O'Donnell faced criticism for allegedly breaking an agreement with Congressman Ron Paul regarding the scope of questions.
October 2010: Criticized for Remarks About Michael Steele
In late October 2010, Lawrence O'Donnell drew criticism for remarks about RNC Chairman Michael Steele, which were characterized as racially insensitive, leading to an apology from O'Donnell.
November 6, 2010: Declares Himself a Socialist on Morning Joe
On November 6, 2010, Lawrence O'Donnell declared himself a 'socialist' on the Morning Joe show, distinguishing himself from liberals and progressives.
2010: Substitute Host for Countdown with Keith Olbermann
In 2010, Lawrence O'Donnell frequently appeared as a substitute host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann.
August 1, 2011: Explains Socialism Definition
On August 1, 2011, Lawrence O'Donnell explained his self-identification as a socialist, referencing his college economics class definition.
October 2011: Criticized for Herman Cain Interview
During an October 2011 interview, Lawrence O'Donnell drew criticism for his line of questioning of Republican primary candidate Herman Cain, with some describing his approach as 'offensive'.
October 24, 2011: Time Slot Switch
Beginning October 24, 2011, 'The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell' switched time slots with 'The Ed Show', with O'Donnell returning to the 10 p.m. Eastern slot.
April 3, 2012: Comments Regarding LDS Church
On April 3, 2012, Lawrence O'Donnell made controversial comments regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).
April 11, 2012: Apologizes for LDS Comments
On April 11, 2012, Lawrence O'Donnell apologized for his April 3 comments regarding the LDS Church.
2013: Divorce from Kathryn Harrold
Lawrence O'Donnell and Kathryn Harrold divorced in 2013.
April 2014: Traffic Accident in British Virgin Islands
In April 2014, Lawrence O'Donnell and his brother Michael were injured in a traffic accident while vacationing in the British Virgin Islands.
August 29, 2017: Video Clip Cursing About Background Noise
On August 29, 2017, the broadcast recording that showed Lawrence O'Donnell cursing about background noise.
September 20, 2017: Video Clip Leaked
On September 20, 2017, a video clip leaked showing Lawrence O'Donnell cursing about background noise during a live broadcast from August 29, 2017. He apologized on Twitter.
August 27, 2019: Reports on Trump and Deutsche Bank
On August 27, 2019, Lawrence O'Donnell reported that Deutsche Bank documents showed Russian oligarchs had cosigned loan applications for Trump, based on a single source.
2023: K.I.N.D. Fund Success
As of 2023, the K.I.N.D. Fund has raised $40 million for desks and scholarships to support the education of Malawian schoolgirls, supplying 330,000 desks for 1.1 million students and scholarships for 27,600 girls.
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