Stern, Howard (1954– )

US radio host. Infamous for his shock tactics and aggressive attack on political correctness, the self-dubbed ‘king of media’ hosts the New York-based morning radio programme The Howard Stern Show (1986– ). The irreverent, outrageous, and often crude programme was censored by several radio stations but became the world's most popular syndicated radio show.

His memoir Private Parts (1993) was a major bestseller and was filmed in 1997. A second memoir, Miss America, followed in 1997.

Stern was born and grew up in New York City. After graduating with top honours from Boston University, he worked for radio stations in New York, Connecticut, Detroit, and Washington before returning to New York and launching his national syndicated show.