Geraldo Rivera Biography (1943-)

Original name, Gerald Miguel Riviera; surname legally changed to Rivera in 1960s; given name is pronounced "Hare-all-doe;" some sources cite name variantsincluding Gerald Michael Rivera, Geraldo Miguel Rivera, and Jerry Rivers; born July 4 (some sources cite July 3), 1943, in New York, NY; son of Cruz Allen (a cab driver and restaurant worker) and Lillian (a waitress; maiden name,Friedman) Rivera; brother of Craig Rivera (a broadcast journalist); married Linda Coblentz, c. 1965 (divorced); married Edith Bucket "Pie" Vonnegut (an artist and fashion designer), December 14, 1971 (divorced); married Sherryl Raymond (a television producer), December 31, 1976 (divorced, 1984); married C.C. Dyer (a television producer), 1987 (separated); children: Cruz (son); (third marriage) Gabriel Miguel; (fourth marriage) Isabella Holmes, Simone Cruickshank. Addresses: Agent: William Morris Agency, 151 El Camino Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90212.

Nationality: American
Gender: Male
Occupation: Broadcast journalist, actor, producer, writer
Birth Details: July 4, 1943; New York, New York, United States

Famous Works

CREDITS
Television Appearances
Series
Reporter and correspondent, Eyewitness News, WABC (New York City),1970-1975
Host, Goodnight America, ABC, 1974-1978
Host, Geraldo! (also known as The Geraldo Rivera Show), syndicated, 1987-1998
Host, Now It Can Be Told, syndicated, 1991
Anchor, Rivera Live, CNBC, 1994-2001
Anchor, Upfront Tonight, CNBC, 1998-2001
Host, Geraldo Voyager, Travel Channel, 1999-2001
Documentary Specials
Host, Willowbrook: The Last Disgrace, WABC (New York City), 1972
Host, The Opening of Al Capone's Vault, syndicated, 1986
Host, American Vice: The Doping of America, syndicated, 1986
Whatta Year ... '86, 1986
Our Kids and the Best of Everything, 1987
Host, Innocence Lost: The Erosion of American Childhood, syndicated, 1987
Host, Modern Love, syndicated, 1987
Host, Sons of Scarface: The New Mafia, syndicated, 1987
Host, Murder: Live from Death Row, syndicated, 1988
Himself (in archive footage), Image of an Assassination: A New Look atthe Zapruder Film, 1998
Himself, When It Was a Game 3, 2000
Other specials include Barriers: The View from a Wheelchair, Devil Worship: Exposing Satan's Underground, The Littlest Junkie: A Children's Story, Marching Home, Again, Migrants: Dirt Cheap, Tell Me Where I Can Go, and Working Class Heroes.
Movies
Ted Mayne, Perry Mason: The Case of the Reckless Romeo, 1992
Episodic
Good Morning America, ABC, between 1974 and 1978
Special correspondent, 20/20 (also known as ABC News 20/20), ABC, 1978-1985
Substitute host, Larry King Live, Cable News Network, 1985
Special correspondent, Entertainment Tonight, between 1985 and 1987
"Mr. Right," thirtysomething, ABC, 1989
"Once a Mermaid," thirtysomething, ABC, 1990

"Dirty Harry," Empty Nest, NBC, 1992
"Dirty Laundry," Nurses, NBC, 1992
Voice, "Dial `M' for Murder," The Critic (animated), ABC, 1994
Albert Romero, "Red Wind," Baywatch, syndicated, 1994
Albert Romero, "Payback," Baywatch Nights, syndicated, 1996
"Till Death Do Us Part," Nash Bridges, CBS, 1996
"Talked to Death," America Undercover, HBO, 1997
"Live Shot," Nash Bridges, CBS, 1998
"The Finale," Seinfeld, NBC, 1998
Television Work
Series
Senior producer, 20/20 (also known as ABC News 20/20), ABC,between 1978 and 1985
Producer, Geraldo!, syndicated, 1987-1998
Managing editor, Now It Can Be Told, syndicated, 1991
Coproducer, Geraldo Voyager, Travel Channel, 1999-2001
Television Executive Producer
Specials
The Opening of Al Capone's Vault, syndicated, 1986
American Vice: The Doping of America, syndicated, 1986
Innocence Lost: The Erosion of American Childhood, syndicated, 1987
Modern Love, syndicated, 1987
Sons of Scarface: The New Mafia, syndicated, 1987
Murder: Live from Death Row, syndicated, 1988
Film Appearances
Himself, Salsa, 1976
(Uncredited) Robert Cordo, The Bonfire of the Vanities, 1990
Himself, Hated (documentary; also known as Hated: G. G. Allin and the Murder Junkies), Film Threat Video, 1994
Himself, Grumpier Old Men (also known as Grumpy Old Men 2),Warner Bros., 1995
Himself, Meet Wally Sparks, Trimark Pictures, 1997
Unforgotten: Twenty-Five Years after Willowbrook (documentary), Castle Hill, 1997
Himself, Contact, Warner Bros., 1997
Himself, Cop Land, Buena Vista/Miramax, 1997
Himself, Primary Colors (also known as Perfect Couple and Mit aller Macht), MCA/Universal, 1998
Film Work
Dialogue coach, Salsa, 1976
WRITINGS
Television Specials
The Opening of Al Capone's Vault, syndicated, 1986
American Vice: The Doping of America, syndicated, 1986
Other Writings
Willowbrook: A Report on How It Is and Why It Doesn't Have to Be ThatWay (based on the television special Willowbrook: The Last Disgrace), Random House (New York City), 1972
(With Edith Rivera) Miguel Robles: So Far (nonfiction), Harcourt (New York, NY), 1973
Puerto Rico: Island of Contrasts (nonfiction), Parents' Magazine Press, 1973
A Special Kind of Courage: Profiles of Young Americans (nonfiction), Simon & Schuster (New York, NY), 1976
(With Daniel Paisner) Exposing Myself (autobiography), Bantam (NewYork City), 1991
Contributor to periodicals, including Esquire, TV Guide, and Yachting.

Further Reference

ADAPTATIONS

The books Miguel Robles: So Far and Puerto Rico: Island of Contrasts have been adapted as audio books.

OTHER SOURCES

Books

Newsmakers 1989, Issue 4, Gale, 1989
Rivera, Geraldo, and Daniel Paisner, Exposing Myself, Bantam (NewYork City), 1991

Periodicals

Broadcasting & Cable, December 17, 2001, p. 11
Editor & Publisher, December 18, 2000, p. 16
Time, December 10, 2001, p. 27
TV Guide, December 18, 1999, pp. 31-34
Variety, August 27, 2001, p. 20

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