Debbie Matenopoulos has consistently proven herself to be a versatile talent in the entertainment industry. For nearly two decades, this two-time Emmy® nominee has successfully sustained her career as a compelling journalist, talk show host, lifestyle expert, and bestselling cookbook author. She has become one of the most recognized and respected personalities on television today.
Matenopoulos hit the scene at just 17 years old with MTV, and throughout her career, including her time as co-host of “The View,” has interviewed nearly every Hollywood celebrity while also covering hard news topics such as the Jennifer Hudson Murder trial, Whitney Houston's death and the trial of James Holmes for the Movie Theater Massacre in Aurora, Colorado. Through her work on “The Insider” on CBS, Matenopoulos added highlight worthy interviews to her illustrious career, including an interview with Steve Tisch, owner of the New York Giants, on the field right after the Giants won the Super Bowl in 2012, an exclusive with Donald Trump and his family, an inside look with veteran CBS newsman Barry Peterson regarding the emotional difficulties of covering tragic events such as Rwanda, Afghanistan, and the 9/11 attacks and an exclusive interview with Jenna Telackova, the first transgender Beauty Pageant contestant ever allowed to compete in Miss Universe Pageant.
More recently, she has sat down with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Dolly Parton, Charlize Theron, Queen Latifah, Sarah Palin, Pamela Anderson, George Clooney, Channing Tatum, Megyn Kelly, Michael Fassbender, Ice Cube, Carol Burnett, Trisha Yearwood, Nancy Grace, Jon Hamm, Jamie Foxx, Lionel Richie, and many others.
In 1997, Matenopoulos made a name for herself by offering her point-of-view as one of the original five co-hosts of Barbara Walters' groundbreaking talk show “The View” for its first two seasons. As the youngest person in daytime history to hold a permanent co-host position on network television, Matenopoulos helped shape the show by being instrumental in building the show’s format and reputation. Offering the younger generation's perspective, Matenopoulos helped make the program a tremendous success and pop culture phenomenon. Her popularity among the younger demographic led to a guest appearance as herself on “Saturday Night Live” in a parody about the talk show.
Debbie went on to launch the TV Guide Channel, host the TBS hit series “He’s A Lady” alongside Morgan Fairchild and John Salley, write and sell a made for TV movie to the Oxygen Network, and then co-host FOX’s nationally syndicated morning show, “Good Day Live” with Arthel Neville and Steve Edwards.
From 2005-2010, Matenopoulos went on to become part of the E! Network family and began co-hosting all the red-carpet events with Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic, which consistently garnered E! its highest ratings, including the Emmys®; Grammys®; Golden Globes®; and Academy Awards®. Matenopoulos also hosted the top-rated show “Fashion Police,” the weekday entertainment news show “The Daily 10” alongside Sal Masekela and Catt Sadler, doing both while simultaneously acting as co-host on Style Network’s #1 rated show “Instant Beauty Pageant” with Cameron Mathison.
Matenopolous' personality, charisma, and credibility have earned her the trust and respect of many of the most famous and notable people around the world. The relationships she has created continue to garner her access to some of Hollywood's most elusive celebrities. She was also the first person to interview Simon Cowell in his $20 million dollar Beverly Hills estate, even before her mentor Barbara Walters had the chance.
Recently, Debbie dove headfirst into the food and lifestyle space as she released her first critically-acclaimed and bestselling cookbook, IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME. Calling the book her love letter to her family’s native Greece, Debbie journeyed to Greece to write and photograph the book and is proud to share her family’s favorite classic Greek recipes right from their own kitchens.
Most recently, Debbie served multiple seasons as Co-Host of CBS Television’s long-running flagship entertainment news show “The Insider,” and she is currently the Co-Host of Hallmark Channel’s “Home & Family.”
Follow TV personality and style expert Debbie Matenopoulos on Twitter @IAmDebbieM. Her first cookbook, "It's All Greek to Me," is available in stores now and at amazon.com.
