Star Jones

With her larger-than-life personality and outspoken demeanor, Star Jones drew upon both her legal and broadcasting backgrounds to become a formidable presence on television, most notably on the highly successful ABC daytime talk show, "The View" (ABC, 1997- ). Raised for the first few years of her life under modest means, Jones nevertheless managed to put herself through college and law school. After passing the bar exam she began working at the Brooklyn District Attorney's office, and before long made a name for herself as a tenacious trial lawyer with a flair for the dramatic. In the early 1990s, Jones began covering high-profile trials and providing analysis for Court TV and "The Today Show" (NBC, 1952- ). From there it was on to her own show, "Jones & Jury" (syndicated, 1994-95) and a stint on "Inside Edition" (syndicated, 1988- ), before being selected by news icon Barbara Walters to co-host "The View." The series launched Jones into the national spotlight, providing her a wealth of opportunities, book deals and other television projects among them. Jones left the series in 2006, and would remain a presence on television following her tenure on "The View."