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Entertainment • Commentator

Bill O'Reilly

Bill O'Reilly is an American political commentator, television and radio personality, and author.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Bill O'Reilly is an American political commentator, television and radio personality, and author. He is best known for hosting Fox News Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor" from 1996 to 2017 and for coanchoring "Inside Edition" before that.

Early life and education

Bill O'Reilly was born in New York City on September 10, 1949, as William James O'Reilly Jr. He attended Marist College and studied broadcast journalism at Boston University.

Broadcasting career

O'Reilly began his career in television news reporting before moving into national broadcasting. He coanchored "Inside Edition" from 1989 to 1995. He then hosted "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News from 1996 to 2017. He also hosted the radio program "The Radio Factor" from 2002 to 2009. Earlier in his career, he reported for local television stations and later for CBS News and ABC News.

Writing and publishing

O'Reilly is a bestselling author. He has written numerous books, including historical titles in the "Killing" series such as "Killing Lincoln" and "Killing Kennedy."

Public profile and controversy

O'Reilly was a prominent conservative media figure with a large audience and a highly recognizable interview style. He is generally described as a conservative political commentator. His Fox News tenure ended in 2017 after sexual harassment allegations and related corporate action.

Key facts

  • O'Reilly hosted "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News from 1996 to 2017.
  • Before Fox News, he coanchored "Inside Edition" from 1989 to 1995.
  • He also hosted the radio program "The Radio Factor" from 2002 to 2009.
  • He has written numerous books, including titles in the "Killing" series.
  • His early broadcasting career included reporting for local television stations and later for CBS News and ABC News.
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Canadian context

O'Reilly's cable news and radio programs were widely available in Canada, and his commentary influenced North American conservative media audiences, including Canadian viewers and listeners.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Bill O'Reilly?
Bill O'Reilly is an American political commentator, television host, radio personality, and author best known for "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News.
What was Bill O'Reilly's birth name?
His birth name is William James O'Reilly Jr.
What show made Bill O'Reilly famous?
He became widely known for hosting "The O'Reilly Factor" on Fox News from 1996 to 2017.
What did Bill O'Reilly do before Fox News?
He coanchored "Inside Edition" from 1989 to 1995 and previously worked in television news reporting.
Is Bill O'Reilly also an author?
Yes. He has written many books, including several historical bestsellers in the "Killing" series.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Bill-OReilly
    Supports: Birth date, nationality, occupations, and major television roles.
  2. EBSCO Research Starters — https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/biography/bill-oreilly
    Supports: Fox News career, dismissal in 2017, author background, and conservative commentary.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_O'Reilly_(political_commentator)
    Supports: Early broadcasting career, awards, books, and radio hosting timeline.
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/person/bill-oreilly/umc.cpc.3bx3cuuhpno6lsjv9s50hs2gn
    Supports: Birthplace and education details.