18 Iconic TV Show Hosts From The 80s, 90s, And Now

Author Anne Erickson

October 23rd, 2020 2:54 PM

Happy TV Talk Show Host Day! Yes, that’s really a thing.

We’re looking back at some of our favorite talk show hosts from the ’80s, ’90s and today!

Here are 18 of our favorite talk show hosts. There are way more than this, though! Who are your all-time favorite talk show hosts?

Follow the photo story below.

• Oprah Winfrey

  Share

  LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 26: Oprah Winfrey attends the premiere of Disney's "A Wrinkle In Time" at the El Capitan Theatre on February 26, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

• Jay Leno

  Share

  BURBANK, CA - JULY 7: Jay Leno appears on "The Tonight Show" on July 7, 2004 at the NBC Studios in Burbank, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

• Jimmy Fallon

  Share

  SANTA MONICA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Jimmy Fallon attends the People's Choice Awards 2018 at Barker Hangar on November 11, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
• Ricki Lake

  Share

  LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 04: Ricki Lake attends FYC Event For Fox's "The Masked Singer" at The Atrium at Westfield Century City on June 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

• Montel Williams

  Share

  NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 30: Tara Fowler and Montel Williams attend the "Going In Style" New York Premiere at SVA Theatre on March 30, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

• Phil Donahue

  Share

  NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 05: Phil Donahue attends at the grand opening of The SAG-AFTRA Foundation Robin Williams Center on October 5, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
• Jimmy Kimmel

  Share

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Host Jimmy Kimmel attends Los Angeles LGBT Center's 48th Anniversary Gala Vanguard Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on September 23, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images)

• Sally Jesse Raphael Tapes Her Last Show

  Share

  404446 02: Talk show host Sally Jesse Raphael tapes her last show April 24, 2002 in New York City. Her last show will air this May. (Photo by Jim Lord/Getty Images)

• 2013 Summer TCA Tour – Day 6

  Share

  BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 29: Host/executive producer Arsenio Hall speaks onstage during "The Arsenio Hall Show" panel discussion at the CBS, Showtime and The CW portion of the 2013 Summer Television Critics Association tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 29, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
• David Letterman

  Share

  INDIANAPOLIS - MAY 30: David Letterman, co-owner of the #15 Rahal-Letterman Argent/Pioneer G Force Honda of Buddy Rice, smiles when the rain started to fall and cause the race to be shortened and Rice to win the 88th running of the Indianapolis 500 part of the IRL IndyCar Series May 30, 2004 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images)

• Wilhelmina Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Co-Host Patti Hansen

  Share

  NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Wendy Williams attends the 50th anniversary celebration of Wilhelmina with co-host Patti Hansen on November 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Wilhelmina Models)

• Jerry Springer

  Share

  CULVER CITY, CA - AUGUST 01: Talk show host Jerry Springer speaks onstage at the Comedy Central Roast Of David Hasselhoff held at Sony Pictures Studios on August 1, 2010 in Culver City, California. The""Comedy Central Roast of David Hasselhoff" will air on Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
• Maury Povich

  Share

  PEBBLE BEACH, CA - FEBRUARY 13: Maury Povich reacts to making a putt on the 5th hole during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am at the Pebble Beach Golf Links on February 13, 2011 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

• 57th Annual Emmy Awards – Show

  Share

  LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 18: Late Night TV Show Host David Letterman makes a tribute to Johnny Carson onstage at the 57th Annual Emmy Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on September 18, 2005 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

• Conan O’Brien

  Share

  SAN FRANCISCO, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Host Conan O'Brien speaks onstage during the 5th Annual NFL Honors at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on February 6, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images)

• Ellen DeGeneres

  Share

  HOLLYWOOD , CA - APRIL 28: Winner of "Outstanding Talk Show" for The Ellen DeGeneres Show, executive producer/host Ellen DeGeneres poses in the press room at the 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on April 28, 2006 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

• James Corden

  Share

  LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 17: James Corden attends the European premiere of "One Chance" at The Odeon Leicester Square on October 17, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
• Jenny Jones

  Share

  369578 01: TV Talk show host Jenny Jones arrives in front of Cook County Hospital May 17, 2000 in Chicago, IL. Jones, a longtime advocate in the fight against breast cancer, donated a "Mobile Mammography Services" van to the Cook County Bureau of Health Services. Her donation will enhance the Bureau of Health Services'' ability to better service its patients in the communities where they live. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Newsmakers)

Have The Bounce 105.1 Insider Buzz Newsletter Delivered To Your Inbox

Find out what's happening in the Motor City, stay up to date on the music & entertainment news, and exclusive chances to win.

Email *

Subscribe

By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.

Author Anne Erickson

Category:

• Anne Erickson