Lawrence O'Donnell is an American television host, political analyst, actor, and writer born in 1951 in Boston, Massachusetts. His mother, Frances Marie, worked as an office manager, while his father, Lawrence Francis O'Donnell Sr., was an attorney. Of Irish descent, O'Donnell attended St. Sebastian’s School, graduating in the early 1970s, where he was also the captain of the baseball team.
He later attended Harvard College, graduating in 1976 with a degree in economics. While at Harvard, O'Donnell wrote for the Harvard Lampoon, where he was known for his sharp wit and sarcasm among his peers.
Before entering television and journalism, O'Donnell began his professional career in politics as an aide to U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan. He eventually became the staff director of the Senate Finance Committee. This early exposure to legislative processes helped build the foundation for his later work as a political commentator and writer.
Lawrence O'Donnell is best known as the host of The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell, a nightly news and opinion program airing Monday through Thursday on MSNBC. Known for its in-depth political commentary and interviews, the show shifted time slots with The Ed Show in 2010, moving O'Donnell’s program from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Eastern Time.
He has also appeared as a political analyst on shows like The McLaughlin Group, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, and The Al Franken Show. During a 2010 interview on MSNBC, he described himself as a "practical European socialist," a term he used to explain his views on public policy in contrast with American political norms.
O'Donnell has significant experience behind the camera as well. He was a writer and producer for the acclaimed NBC political drama The West Wing, for which he won an Emmy Award as part of the producing team. He also portrayed the President’s father in flashback scenes on the series.
He later served as the executive producer and creator of another NBC series, Mister Sterling. His acting work includes a recurring role as an attorney in the HBO drama Big Love, in addition to other guest appearances on television and in film.
As an author, O'Donnell wrote the nonfiction book Deadly Force, which delves into a real-life case of police brutality and wrongful death. The case involved a client represented by O'Donnell's father. The book was adapted into a CBS made-for-TV movie titled A Case of Deadly Force. In the adaptation, actor Richard Crenna portrayed O'Donnell’s father, while Tate Donovan played a younger version of O'Donnell. Lawrence O'Donnell was also credited as associate producer on the project.
O'Donnell married actress Kathryn Harrold in 1994. The couple later divorced but share a daughter, Elizabeth Buckley Harrold O'Donnell. In April 2014, O'Donnell and his brother Michael sustained injuries in a traffic accident while vacationing in the British Virgin Islands. He returned to his MSNBC show following a period of recovery.
O'Donnell maintains a consistent presence in the public sphere through both television and social media. His Twitter handle is @Lawrence, where he frequently shares political commentary and interacts with followers. Over the years, he has engaged in spirited exchanges with public figures, including conservative commentators like John O'Neill and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.
| Birth Date: | 7 Nov, 1951 |
| Age: | 68 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Boston |
| Education: | Harvard University |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American television presenter |
| Twitter Id: | Lawrence |
| Spouse: | Kathryn Harrold |
| Net Worth 2021: | 16 million |
