History of Lawrence O'Donnell in Timeline
Lawrence O'Donnell is an American television anchor, actor, author, screenwriter, and political commentator. He is best known as the host of "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell," a weeknight opinion and news program on MSNBC. O'Donnell is recognized for his liberal political views and commentary on current events.
November 7, 1951: Lawrence O'Donnell Born
On November 7, 1951, Lawrence Francis O'Donnell Jr. was born. He would later become a television anchor, actor, author, screenwriter, liberal political commentator, and host of The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell.
1970: Graduated from St. Sebastian's School
In 1970, Lawrence O'Donnell graduated from St. Sebastian's School where he was captain of the baseball team and wide receiver on the undefeated football team.
1976: Graduated from Harvard College
In 1976, Lawrence O'Donnell graduated from Harvard College, where he majored in economics and wrote for the Harvard Lampoon.
1977: Started Working as a Writer
In 1977, Lawrence O'Donnell began his career as a writer.
1983: Published Deadly Force
In 1983, Lawrence O'Donnell published his book, Deadly Force, which was about a case of wrongful death and police brutality.
1986: A Case of Deadly Force Film Release
In 1986, Deadly Force was made into the film A Case of Deadly Force, with Lawrence O'Donnell serving as associate producer. Richard Crenna played O'Donnell's father, and Tate Donovan played O'Donnell.
1988: Ended working as a writer
In 1988, Lawrence O'Donnell ended his career as a writer.
1989: Legislative Aide to Senator Moynihan
From 1989 to 1995, Lawrence O'Donnell was a legislative aide to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
1989: Begins Political Career
In 1989, Lawrence O'Donnell began his political career as an aide to U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. He later served as staff director for the Senate Finance Committee.
1991: Served as Senior Adviser to Moynihan
In 1991, Lawrence O'Donnell served as senior advisor to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
1992: Staff Director for Environment and Public Works
From 1992 to 1993, Lawrence O'Donnell served as staff director of the Environment and Public Works senate committee that Moynihan was chairing.
1993: Staff Director for Finance
From 1993 to 1995, Lawrence O'Donnell served as staff director of the Finance senate committee that Moynihan was chairing.
February 14, 1994: Married Kathryn Harrold
On February 14, 1994, Lawrence O'Donnell married Kathryn Harrold. The couple has one child.
1995: End of time as legislative aide to Senator Moynihan
In 1995, Lawrence O'Donnell ended his time as legislative aide to Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan
1999: Associated with The West Wing
In 1999, Lawrence O'Donnell became associated with the television drama The West Wing, writing 16 episodes and serving as executive story editor for 12 episodes from 1999-2000.
2000: Co-Producer and Producer for The West Wing
In 2000, Lawrence O'Donnell was co-producer for five episodes and producer for 17 episodes of The West Wing from 2000-2001.
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: Won Emmy Award for The West Wing
In 2001, Lawrence O'Donnell won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series for The West Wing.
2002: Supervising 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 consulting producer for 44 episodes of The West Wing.
2003: Creator, Executive Producer, and Writer for Mister Sterling
In 2003, Lawrence O'Donnell was the 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 served as executive producer for 22 episodes of The West Wing.
2005: Called himself a "practical European socialist"
In 2005, Lawrence O'Donnell called himself a "practical European socialist" in an interview.
2006: Emmy Nomination for The West Wing
In 2006, Lawrence O'Donnell was nominated for an Emmy in the same category.
2007: Criticized Mitt Romney's Speech on Religion
In 2007, Lawrence O'Donnell criticized Mitt Romney's speech on religion, making controversial statements about Romney's religion.
2009: Regular Contributor on Morning Joe
In 2009, Lawrence O'Donnell became a regular contributor on Morning Joe with Joe Scarborough.
September 27, 2010: Hosts The Last Word
On September 27, 2010, Lawrence O'Donnell began hosting a 10 p.m. show on MSNBC, called The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell.
October 2010: Interview with Ron Paul
In October 2010, Lawrence O'Donnell had a contentious interview with Congressman Ron Paul, leading to accusations of breaking an agreement.
October 2010: Controversial Remarks About Michael Steele
In late October 2010, Lawrence O'Donnell made remarks about RNC Chairman Michael Steele that were characterized as racially insensitive, leading to an apology.
November 6, 2010: Declared Himself a Socialist
On November 6, 2010, Lawrence O'Donnell declared himself a "socialist" on the Morning Joe show.
2010: Substitute Host of Countdown
In 2010, Lawrence O'Donnell began appearing frequently as a substitute host of Countdown with Keith Olbermann.
2010: Trip to Malawi and K.I.N.D. Fund
In 2010, Lawrence O'Donnell made a trip to Malawi, leading to the creation of the K.I.N.D. Fund (Kids in Need of Desks) to provide schoolroom desks for female children.
January 21, 2011: Takes Over 8 p.m. Slot
On January 21, 2011, Lawrence O'Donnell took over the 8 p.m. slot from Keith Olbermann after Olbermann's show was terminated.
August 1, 2011: Explained His Socialism
On August 1, 2011, Lawrence O'Donnell further explained his socialist views on The Last Word.
October 2011: Interview with Herman Cain
In October 2011, Lawrence O'Donnell's interview with Republican primary candidate Herman Cain drew criticism for its tone and questioning.
October 24, 2011: Switches Time Slots with The Ed Show
Beginning October 24, 2011, The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell switched time slots with The Ed Show, returning to the 10 p.m. Eastern slot.
April 3, 2012: Comments Regarding the LDS Church
On April 3, 2012, Lawrence O'Donnell made controversial comments regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) during The Last Word.
April 11, 2012: Apologized for LDS Church Comments
On April 11, 2012, Lawrence O'Donnell apologized for his April 3 comments regarding the LDS Church during The Last Word.
2013: Divorced Kathryn Harrold
In 2013, Lawrence O'Donnell and Kathryn Harrold divorced.
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: Live Broadcast Incident
On August 29, 2017, an unaired video clip showed Lawrence O'Donnell angrily cursing about background noise during a live broadcast.
September 20, 2017: Video Clip Leaked
On September 20, 2017, an eight-minute video clip was leaked showing Lawrence O'Donnell angrily cursing and swearing about background noise between segments of a live broadcast.
August 27, 2019: Reported on Deutsche Bank Documents
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, unverified source.
2023: K.I.N.D. Fund Success
As of 2023, the K.I.N.D. Fund had raised $40 million and supplied 330,000 desks for 1.1 million students and scholarships for 27,600 girls.
