Rivera, Geraldo (1943–)

Gerald Miguel “Geraldo” Rivera, a television journalist, an entertainer, and a talk show host, is best known for sensationalistic reporting and his tendency to include himself in stories. He has aired investigative pieces about abuse of the mentally ill, war coverage of fighting in Afghanistan, and talk show topics such as “Men in Lace Panties and the Women Who Love Them.” He has also taken occasional acting roles (movies: Natural Born Killers, The Bonfire of the Vanities; occasional TV appearances as himself). He has earned numerous honors, including 10 Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award, but his approach has become a target for comedians and critics on the problems of sensationalistic journalism.

Rivera was born on July 4, 1943, in New York City. He graduated from ...