Alex witt msnbc biography

American television journalist

Not to be confused with Alexander Witt.

Alexandra E. Witt (born April 9, 1961) is an American television news journalist based in New York City who currently hosts the television news program Alex Witt Reports weekends from 1 pm to 4 pm on MSNBC, where she previously hosted MSNBC Live and Morning Joe First Look. Witt joined MSNBC in January 1999 and is the network's longest-running anchor.[1]

Early life and education

Witt was born in Pasadena, California, and grew up in the Hancock Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. Witt's father is Dr. Charles B. Witt, a noted thoracic surgeon in Los Angeles. Witt graduated from the Marlborough School for Girls in Los Angeles and the University of Southern California, where she majored in journalism and international relations.

Career

Witt first served as a field producer for the Today Show in Burbank, California. Her first on-air job was at KCBA in Salinas, California. She later worked for KCBS-TV, KNBC-TV, and KABC-TV, each of which are located in Los Angeles. She served as a reporter at KCBA from 1990 to 1992 and WNYW-TV from 1996 to 1998. In 1999, Witt was with MSNBC as an anchor. She hosts the weekend program Weekends with Alex Witt, which was later rebranded to Alex Witt Reports as part of MSNBC Reports.

Personal life

Witt is married to TV producer Bill Sorensen. Witt has noted on-air that she is related to George Washington. She is a second cousin, seven generations removed to George Washington through Bailey Washington, a cousin and contemporary of President Washington. She is a member of the National Society of Washington Family Descendants. She is a member of the band Mrs. Robinson.

See also

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External links

FAQs on booking Alex Witt

Alex Witt anchors "MSNBC Reports with Alex Witt" and is a correspondent for NBC News. Since joining the networks in 1999, the former "MSNBC Live" and "Morning Joe First Look" host has broadcast across daytime and primetime platforms. Witt has anchored more hours on MSNBC than any other anchor in the history of the network and reported from the field during presidential campaigns and overseas. In the wake of the attacks of September 11, 2001, she broadcast from the World Trade Center. She continues to follow the unrest in Ukraine and the refugee crisis, as well as Capitol Hill and presidential politics.

Over the years, Witt hosted the series "MSNBC Adventurer" as well as a series of primetime special broadcasts in the wake of the Asian tsunami. She broadcast live from Windsor, England covering the 2005 wedding of Prince Charles to Camilla Parker Bowles, and from London outside Kensington Palace for commemorations marking the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana in 2007. Witt has also contributed to "NBC Nightly News" reporting for the highly acclaimed “Making a Difference” series and worked as a consultant on Aaron Sorkin's HBO series "The Newsroom."

Witt joined NBC after reporting for WNYW-TV in New York City where she covered stories throughout the New York metropolitan area. Prior to that, Witt spent her career anchoring, reporting and producing for various stations in California, including as a field producer in the Burbank bureau for NBC News’ "Today."

Witt is passionate about equality for women, education and environmental issues, and gun control. She is a graduate of the University of Southern California.

Alex Witt knows about career longevity.

Witt, 61, has anchored more hours on MSNBC than any other anchor in the history of the network, covering presidential elections, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the ongoing unrest in Ukraine and so much more. And behind the scenes, she has had the same executive, senior and line producer team for two decades, a rarity in cable news.

“Alex is a great example to younger women in so many ways— as a friend, mother and a working woman,” said Know Your Value founder and “Morning Joe” co-host Mika Brzezinski. “She shows young women that you have a long runway to work with, and it’s OK to drop everything and be there for your kids, or for yourself if you need to take care of something. Alex is so dependable and so mentally clear on her priorities that she fits everything into her life.”

Witt recently reflected on her 23 years at the network with Know Your Value. The mom of two also chatted about the work-family juggle, how young women can supercharge their careers and more.

Below is the conversation, which has been edited for brevity and clarity:

Know Your Value: You’ve anchored more hours on MSNBC than any other anchor in the history of the network. What an incredible accomplishment. When you look back at your time at the network, is there story or interview you’re particularly fond of?

Alex Witt: … One that really stands out was way back when before the Iraq War began. There was a Saturday morning when weapons inspector Hans Blix from the IAEA was making his way to Baghdad, and he was holding a press conference. And it ended up beginning just as my show was beginning. At the time, I was anchoring four hours at one stretch, and my executive producer said, “Hey, he's talking in French. Can you translate?” I do speak French, but I never translated about [subjects like] nuclear disarmament or weapons of mass destruction. But I said, “Sure, I'll give it a try.”

So,