Les Moonves Bio | Wiki
Les Moonves is a popular American media executive who worked as the chairman and CEO of CBS Corporation from 2003 until his resignation in September 2018 after several allegations of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and abuse. In 2019 Les founded his own company in West Hollywood, California named Moon Rise Unlimited following being fired from CBS. Les held a series of executive positions at CBS from July 1995 until September 2018. Les was also on the board of directors at ZeniMax Media from 1999 to 2021.
Later, Les was co-president and co-chief operating officer (COO) of the original Viacom, the legal predecessor to CBS Corporation, from 2004 until the company split in December 2005. Les became chairman of CBS in February 2016. In September 2018, Les stepped down as chairman of CBS after multiple women brought forth sexual assault allegations against him. He allegedly destroyed evidence of his sexual misconduct. As per various media reports, Les has amassed a net worth of over US$800 million through compensation from CBS. He earned $68.4 million in 2017, combined with stock options of the media company, worth over $100 million.
Les Moonves Age
Les was born on October 6, 1949, in New York City, in the United States. He is 74 years old. Les celebrates his birthday on October 6, every year.
Les Moonves Height
He is a man of average stature. Les stands at a height of 5 ft 7 in ( Approx. 1.65m ).
Les Moonves Family
He was born in Brooklyn, New York City to a religious Jewish family. Les is the son of Josephine (Schleifer) and Herman Moonves. He was raised in Valley Stream, New York. His mother worked as a nurse. Les has one sister, Melissa Moonves Colon, and two brothers, including entertainment attorney Jonathan Moonves. Les holds American nationality. He is a grand-nephew of Paula Ben-Gurion, born Paula Munweis, wife of David Ben-Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel
Les Moonves Wife | Spouse | Julie Chen
Les is married to his wife Julie Chen a television personality, news anchor, and producer for CBS. Julie has been the host of the American version of the CBS reality television program Big Brother since its debut in July 2000. The two married on December 23, 2004, in a private ceremony in Acapulco, Mexico. On September 24, 2009, Julie gave birth to their son, Charlie. From 1978 to 2004, Les was married to Nancy Wiesenfeld with whom he has three children, Sara, Adam, and Michael.
Les Moonves First Wife
Les married his first wife Nancy Wiesenfeld in 1978. He and Nancy Wiesenfeld have three children, W magazine editor-in-chief Sara Moonves, Adam, and Michael. The two divorced in 2004. He was seeing Julie Chen while still married, though Les and Nancy had been living separately.
Les Moonves Daughter
Les has a daughter named Sara Moonves a magazine editor who was promoted to editor-in-chief of W, a fashion magazine, in 2019. Sara’s appointment stirred vigorous scrutiny and discussion, with The New York Times article about her being entitled “The Most Watched Editor at Fashion Week”. Sara was born on November 26, 1984, to Les and his ex-wife Nancy Wiesenfeld.
Les Moonves Education
He joined Valley Stream Central High School and went to Bucknell University, graduating in 1971. In his sophomore year, Les decided that his science courses were unfulfilling and switched his major from pre-medical to the Spanish language (a subject he found vastly more enjoyable) and acted in a few plays; after graduation in 1971, he moved to Manhattan to pursue an acting career where he finally graduated from the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.
Les Moonves CBS
Les joined CBS in July 1995 as President of CBS Entertainment. From April 1998 to 2003, Les was president and chief executive officer at CBS, then was promoted to chairman and CEO of CBS in 2003. CBS had six of the ten most-watched primetime shows in the final quarter of 2005: CSI, Without a Trace, CSI: Miami, Survivor: Guatemala, NCIS, and Cold Case.
In February 2005, Les was identified as the executive directly responsible for ordering the cancellation of UPN’s Star Trek: Enterprise and the ending of the 18-year revival of the Star Trek television franchise. In January 2006, Les helped make the deal that brought together the CBS-owned United Paramount Network (UPN) with The WB Television Network to form The CW Television Network that fall. He was the second most highly paid executive for 2012 and 2013: he received $58.8 million and $65.4 million. Les is considered the second-highest-paid CEO, having been paid $68.4 million in 2017.
In 2013, Les was inducted into the Television Hall of Fame. Les became chairman of CBS in February 2016. In September 2018, after allegations of sexual assault, it was announced that CBS was negotiating a $100 million exit package for Les and that CBS Chief Operating Officer Joe Ianniello would serve as his interim replacement. On September 9, 2018, CBS Corporation reported Les had resigned and Joe Iannello would become interim CEO.
Les Moonves House | House Beverly Hills
In 2019, Les languished at a $28.8 million oceanfront mansion, a Beverly Hills estate worth around $20 million, and a Park Avenue apartment valued upwards of $10 million. Les lives in Beverly Hills, California, in a house he bought from Andy Heyward. He also possesses residences in Malibu, California, and New York City.
Les Moonves Young
He was born in Brooklyn, New York City. Les landed a few parts, playing tough guys on Cannon and The Six Million Dollar Man, which he described as “forgettable” TV roles prior to deciding on the career change. He also served as one of casting director Caro Jones’ first office assistants early in her career.
Ali Diercks Les Moonves
On May 18, 2023, Ali Diercks, who was crucial to a major #MeToo story involving forer CBS executive Les, talked about why she started sharing information. Allison resigned from Covington after the firm suspended her.
Bobbie Phillips Les Moonves
In November 2018, The New York Times released an article in which actress Bobbie Phillips alleges that Les sexually assaulted her during the mid-1990s, and was attempting to bury the allegations.
Les Moonves Today | Now
He now owns a company in West Hollywood, California named Moon Rise Unlimited following being fired from CBS.
Les Moonves Doing Now
On February 8, 2019, The New York Times announced that Les had founded his own company in West Hollywood, California named Moon Rise Unlimited following being fired from CBS.
Les Moonves Update
In November 2022, it was reported that Les will pay $30.5 million as part of an agreement with the New York attorney general’s office, which says the network’s executives conspired with a Los Angeles police captain to conceal sexual assault allegations against him.
Les Moonves Salary
He earned a satisfying amount from his work as a media executive who worked as the chairman and CEO of CBS Corporation from 2003 until his resignation in September 2018. Les’ average salary was $3 million per year.
Les Moonves Net Worth
He got his wealth from his work as a media executive who worked as the chairman and CEO of CBS Corporation from 2003 until his resignation in September 2018. Therefore, Les had accumulated a decent fortune over the years. Les’ net worth is $800 million.
What Is Les Moonves Doing Now
He founded his own company in West Hollywood, California named Moon Rise Unlimited after being fired from CBS.
Is Julie Chen Still Married To Les Moonves
On December 23, 2004, Les and television personality Julie Chen married in a private ceremony in Acapulco, Mexico. Together they have a son Charlie. In 2018 Julie authored her first children’s book, When I Grow Up, dedicated to her son, Charlie.
Who Is Les Moonves
He is a Former CEO of CBS who appears to have formed two related companies around the same time: Moon Rise Technologies, which it said in a filing planned to provide “streaming services and distribution,” and Moon Rise Productions, which it said planned to provide “film and television production” services.
Where Is Les Moonves Now
He lives in Beverly Hills, California, in a house he bought from Andy Heyward.
Is Les Moonves Still Married
He is married to American television personality, news anchor, and producer for CBS Julie Chen. The two married in 2004.
What Happened To Les Moonves
He stepped down as CBS’ chief executive in 2018 after many sexual misconduct allegations. The exit marked the end of Les’ tenure atop one of the most powerful companies in the media world. He denied the allegations.
How Old Is Les Moonves
Les is a 74-year-old who was born on October 6, 1949, in New York City, in the United States. Les celebrates his birthday on October 6, every year.
How Much Is Les Moonves Worth
As per various media reports, Les has amassed a net worth of over US$800 million through compensation from CBS.
Whatever Happened To Les Moonves
In May 2021, Les dropped his claim for $120 million in severance pay, which reverted to ViacomCBS (the result of the 2019 merger of CBS Corporation and the second Viacom, later Paramount Global in 2022), and the law firm Covington & Burling paid an undisclosed settlement fee to Les.