Alex Witt
Alex Witt | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alexandra E. Witt April 9, 1961 Pasadena, California, U.S. |
| Education | University of Southern California |
| Occupation | Television anchor |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Spouse | Bill Sorensen |
Alexandra E. Witt (born April 9, 1961) is an American television journalist. She joined MSNBC in 1999 and became the longest-serving anchor for the network.[1] She hosted weekend news programming for the network, notably, Alex Witt Reports on MS NOW, where she also previously hosted MSNBC Live and Morning Joe First Look. She is currently a fill-in daytime anchor on MS NOW through the end of 2026.[2]
Early life and education
[edit]Witt was born in Pasadena, California, and grew up in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles.[3] Her father, Charles B. Witt, worked as noted thoracic surgeon in Los Angeles.[4] She attended the Marlborough School for Girls in Los Angeles and graduated from the University of Southern California, where she studied journalism and international relations.[5]
Career
[edit]Witt began her television career as a field producer for local Los Angeles stations KCBS-TV and KNBC-TV. She next became a field producer for NBC's Today in Burbank, California. There, she was advised to become a news anchor.[2] Her first on-air position was at KCBA in Salinas, California, where she worked as a reporter from 1990 to 1992. She left her job to raise her child. When her husband began working for CBS News, and devastated by the coverage of TWA Flight 800, Witt resumed her anchoring career. She was hired as a freelance reporter at New York City's WNYW-TV from 1996 to 1998.[2]
In 1999, Witt was hired by MSNBC as an overnight anchor by Eric Sorenson, then MSNBC's general manager, whom Witt had known at KCBS.[2] During her time, she was a frequent substitute news anchor for the MSNBC Live news block on weekdays. In August 2011, she began anchoring the program Weekends with Alex Witt.[6] In 2021, it was rebranded as Alex Witt Reports.[7]
On June 26, 2026, MS NOW announced that Witt would leave her regular anchor role later that same year.[8][9] Her last broadcast of Alex Witt Reports was on September 6, 2026, ending 27 years as an anchor at the network. Antonia Hylton succeeded her in the weekend time slot with The Assignment. Witt is expected to make occasional daytime appearances on MS NOW through the end of 2026.[2]
Personal life
[edit]Witt is married to TV producer Bill Sorensen.[10]
She was a former member of the all-female rock band Mrs. Robinson.[11] In 2001, the group released its debut album and performed at several venues, including a performance of the national anthem at Shea Stadium before a New York Mets versus Philadelphia Philliesgame.[12] In a 2018 interview with Politico, Witt said that she is a distant cousin to George Washington, seven generations removed.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Frumin, Aliyah (December 12, 2022). "MSNBC's Alex Witt reveals her secret to career longevity". MS NOW.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Steinberg, Brian (September 3, 2026). "Alex Witt Has Wisdom: How MS NOW Anchor Lasted Nearly 30 Years in Cable News". Variety. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
- ↑ Shapiro, Dani (December 2009). "My Favorite Place: Alex Witt". Travel and Leisure. Archived from the original on December 14, 2009. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
- ↑ Ferguson, Brandon (July 3, 2010). "George Washington's kin comes to Posada". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
- ↑ "Alex Witt". MSNBC. October 30, 2003. Archived from the original on February 18, 2004. Retrieved November 7, 2012.
- ↑ "Chris Hayes Secures Weekend Show on MSNBC". AdWeek. August 1, 2011. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ Steinberg, Brian (March 29, 2021). "MSNBC Aims to Bolster Daytime News Programs With 'MSNBC Reports'". Variety. Retrieved September 15, 2026.
- ↑ Steinberg, Brian (June 26, 2026). "MS NOW Will Expand Video Podcasts on Weekends, While Veteran Alex Witt Plans Exit". Variety. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
- ↑ Welprin, Alex (June 26, 2026). "MS NOW Shaking Up Weekend Lineup In Shift Toward Podcasts and Partnerships". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
- ↑ Jabali-Nash, Naimah (March 21, 2011). "MSNBC anchor sued: Alex Witt owes $65,000, says friend". CBS News.
- ↑ Ritterhoff, Gale (November 29, 2018). "Life & Style: Alex Witt". Westchester Magazine. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
- ↑ Stern, Irena Choi (July 29, 2001). "Here's to You, Mrs. Robinson: A New Band in the 'Burbs". The New York Times. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
- ↑ Lippman, Daniel (April 9, 2018). "Birthday of the Day: Alex Witt, host of MSNBC Live with Alex Witt". Politico (Interview). Retrieved June 26, 2026.
External links
[edit]- 1961 births
- Living people
- American television reporters and correspondents
- Mass media people from Pasadena, California
- Journalists from Greater Los Angeles
- MS NOW people
- University of Southern California alumni
- Television news anchors from Los Angeles
- American women television journalists
- USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism alumni