Who is Howard Stern?
Howard Stern, known as the “King of All Media,” revolutionized radio with his provocative “shock jock” style, captivating New York listeners in 1982. By 1986, his show achieved national syndication, solidifying his status as a dominant force in broadcasting. Despite facing multiple fines and heavy scrutiny from the FCC, Stern persisted in his bold approach, ultimately transitioning to satellite radio in 2004. In addition to his radio career, Stern has authored several best-selling books and gained widespread recognition as a judge on the popular TV competition show America’s Got Talent.
Early Life
Born on January 12, 1954, in New York City, Howard Stern was the youngest of two children of Ray and Ben Stern. His early years were spent in Roosevelt, a small town on Long Island, where he developed a passion for radio and performance. Stern’s interest in media can be traced back to his father, who was a part-owner of a recording studio and often recorded family events. Stern’s father, Ben, was known for his tough love and frequently quizzed his children on current events, sparking Howard’s witty, often sarcastic responses. “So when I asked him these serious questions, he ends up being a wise guy,” Ben Stern recalled. “And so I got mad and said, ‘Shut up and sit down. Don’t be stupid, you moron.’”
As a child, Stern’s creativity flourished in his family’s basement, where he staged elaborate puppet shows for his friends. These performances, initially encouraged by his mother, soon took on a distinctly irreverent edge. Stern dubbed the productions “The Perverted Marionette Show,” adding a provocative twist that was a precursor to the boundary-pushing style that would define his career. “I took something so innocent and beautiful and really just ruined it,” Stern reflected. “My parents weren’t privy to the dirty performances. My friends would beg me for puppet shows.”
Stern’s desire for attention and his sense of being an outsider became central to his persona. Growing up in the predominantly African American community of Roosevelt, Stern often struggled to fit in, facing social isolation and schoolyard fights. One of his closest Black friends, Stern later recalled, was even beaten for associating with him.
In 1969, the Stern family relocated to Rockville Centre, a predominantly white community. The transition proved difficult for 15-year-old Howard. In his 1993 autobiography, Private Parts, he described feeling out of place in this new environment: “It wasn’t any better in Rockville Centre. I couldn’t adjust at all. I was totally lost in a white community. I felt like Tarzan when they got him out of Africa and brought him back to England.”
These early life experiences shaped Stern’s worldview and contributed to the outsider identity that would become integral to his on-air persona, driving much of his career and public narrative.
College Radio Beginnings
Howard Stern’s high school years were marked by close friendships and hobbies like poker and ping-pong. In the fall of 1972, he left New York to attend Boston University (BU), where the first inklings of his future “shock jock” persona began to emerge. At BU, Stern volunteered at the college radio station, gaining his first experience in broadcasting. However, his debut show—featuring a controversial skit titled “Godzilla Goes to Harlem”—led to the cancellation of his program due to its racially charged content.
It was also during his time at BU that Stern met Alison Berns, his future first wife, while casting her for a student film on transcendental meditation. For their first date, Stern took Alison to see the newly released film Lenny, about the late comedian Lenny Bruce.
After graduating from BU with a 3.8 GPA and a bachelor’s degree in communications, Stern quickly pursued a career in radio. His first job was at a small station in Briarcliff Manor, New York, where he realized that simply working as a traditional DJ would not fulfill his ambitions. “So I started to mess around,” Stern later reflected. “It was unheard of to mix talking on the phone with playing music. It was outrageous. It was blasphemy.” Stern then moved to Hartford, Connecticut, and later Detroit. When a Michigan station switched to a country format, Stern moved to Washington, D.C., continuing his career.
The Rise of the Shock Jock
Stern’s time in Washington marked a pivotal moment in his career. It was there he met Robin Quivers, a former U.S. Air Force nurse, who would become his trusted co-host. Stern’s antics began to garner attention. In one infamous moment in January 1982, after a tragic Air Florida crash in Washington D.C., Stern called the airline, asking, “What’s the price of a one-way ticket from National Airport to the 14th Street Bridge?” Such irreverence only increased his notoriety.
Later that year, Stern moved back to New York to join WNBC-AM. However, his new bosses imposed strict guidelines, which included banning jokes about personal tragedies and prohibiting slander or personal attacks unless consented to. Stern attempted to comply, but his rebellious streak soon emerged. He began airing provocative segments like “Sexual Innuendo Wednesday” and “Mystery Whiz,” where listeners guessed who was going to the bathroom. In 1985, Stern was fired, but this only paved the way for his success at WXRK, or K-ROCK.
The Howard Stern Show
At K-ROCK, Stern revolutionized the radio landscape, tackling controversial topics such as race and sex in bold, often provocative ways. His morning show quickly outpaced the competition, including established figures like Don Imus. Within a year, Stern syndicated his show, allowing him to expand into markets like Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and beyond.
With a dynamic on-air team that included Quivers, producer Gary “Baba Booey” Dell’Abate, writer Fred Norris, and comedian Jackie “the Jokeman” Martling, Stern became a ratings powerhouse. By 1993, his show was reaching 14 markets, with an audience of over 3 million listeners.
The show’s fearless approach included memorable moments, such as when correspondent “Stuttering” John Melendez asked Gennifer Flowers, at a press conference about her alleged affair with Bill Clinton, whether Clinton practiced safe sex. This audacious questioning further cemented Stern’s reputation as a shock jock unafraid to push boundaries.
‘Private Parts’ and ‘Miss America’
Stern’s success skyrocketed in the 1990s, with the release of his autobiography, Private Parts, in 1993. The book became an instant bestseller, selling over 500,000 copies in its first month. Stern’s candid and humorous narrative, which also paid tribute to his wife Alison, resonated with readers and helped solidify his public persona. Private Parts was later adapted into a successful 1997 film, with Stern portraying himself.
In 1995, Stern followed up with another bestseller, Miss America, and by 1995, he was earning $8 million a year from his radio show alone.
Despite his increasing fame and wealth, Stern’s behavior remained as controversial as ever. His mocking of Tejano singer Selena’s death and derogatory remarks about the taste in music of Spanish-speaking people sparked protests, leading to legal consequences. In 1999, Stern further angered the public with insensitive remarks about the Columbine High School shootings, prompting censure from the Colorado State Legislature.
Conflict with the FCC and Final Break from Terrestrial Radio
Stern’s outlandish behavior led to a strained relationship with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which imposed hefty fines on his employers. By 2004, Clear Channel, the largest radio station chain in the U.S., pulled Stern’s show following an especially controversial broadcast. Faced with fines and mounting legal battles over content restrictions, Stern decided to leave terrestrial radio for good.
In 2005, Stern signed a groundbreaking $500 million deal with Sirius Satellite Radio, marking the beginning of a new era. On January 9, 2006, he began broadcasting exclusively on the subscription-based platform, further solidifying his place as one of the most influential and controversial figures in radio history.
Personal Reflections
Despite his brash public persona, Stern has been open about his insecurities and self-deprecating nature. In interviews, he has acknowledged feeling a lack of fulfillment even in the face of massive success. “Maybe it was the way I was raised, or something, but I always feel like I’m garbage,” Stern admitted in a 1997 interview. “You’d think that kind of adulation would make you feel on top of the world. And yet I don’t. I don’t know why.”
Ultimately, Stern’s career has been defined by his willingness to push boundaries, challenge conventions, and embrace controversy, making him one of the most iconic figures in the history of American radio.
Move to Satellite Radio
After transitioning to satellite radio, Howard Stern was liberated from the restrictions of FCC regulations, allowing him to expand his shock jock persona into new, uncharted territory. This move proved to be financially lucrative, making Stern immensely wealthy. Beyond his contract, Stern played a pivotal role in driving satellite radio’s growth, particularly through his partnership with Sirius. In 2005, Sirius experienced a remarkable 190 percent increase in subscribers, adding 2.2 million new users—a surge that significantly boosted the value of Stern’s stake in the company, which amounted to roughly $200 million in Sirius stock.
Stern, who had grown disillusioned with his work under the FCC’s oversight, describing it as making him “hate” going to work, seemed revitalized after his move to satellite radio. This newfound energy led him to sign a five-year contract extension in 2010. However, his journey with Sirius wasn’t without challenges. Stern became embroiled in a legal dispute with the company, which had merged with XM in 2008. He claimed that Sirius owed his production company and agent $330 million in stock rewards. Despite his efforts, a judge dismissed the lawsuit in 2012, and Stern ultimately lost his appeal.
America’s Got Talent Judge
In 2011, Stern made a notable departure from his radio roots to join America’s Got Talent as a judge, replacing Piers Morgan for the show’s seventh season. Alongside returning judges Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel, Stern’s no-holds-barred approach initially raised concerns, but he surprised many by showing unexpected support for contestants while also showcasing his quick wit. Stern remained a judge on the show for four seasons before stepping down in 2015, at which point Simon Cowell, the show’s executive producer, took over.
Remarriage and New Book: ‘Howard Stern Comes Again’
After his 2001 divorce from Alison, Stern married model and actress Beth Ostrosky in October 2008 in a private Manhattan ceremony. The guest list included notable figures such as Barbara Walters, Billy Joel, John Stamos, Joan Rivers, Donald Trump, and Sarah Silverman. In a heartwarming moment, Stern and Ostrosky renewed their vows during an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in October 2019, officiated by The Bachelor star Colton Underwood.
In May 2019, Stern released his third book, Howard Stern Comes Again, a memoir that also compiled some of his most memorable interviews over the years, including his conversations with Donald Trump.