Mo Rocca is an American journalist, humorist, and actor known for hosting popular TV shows like CBS Sunday Morning, My Grandmother’s Ravioli, and The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation. Born and raised in Washington D.C., Mo developed a passion for drama and writing from a young age. After graduating high school, he pursued his love for literature at Harvard University, where he also participated in theatrical productions. Mo made his television debut as a correspondent on The Daily Show in 1998 and has since become a well-known face on shows like CBS Sunday Morning, CBS This Morning, and The Tonight Show. He has also hosted various non-news related programs like I Love the ’70s and I Love the ’80s, as well as his own podcast series called Mobituaries. In addition to his successful career, Mo bravely came out as gay in a 2011 interview.
Quick Facts
- Also Known As: Maurice Alberto Rocca
- Age: 54 Years, 54 Year Old Males
- Family: father: Marcel Roccasiblings: Frank Rocca, Larry Rocca
- Born Country: United States
- Actors
- Journalists
- Height: 6’0″ (183 cm), 6’0″ Males
- Grouping of People: Gay
- City: Washington D.C.
- More Facts
- Education: Harvard University
Childhood & Early Life
Mo Rocca was born Maurice Alberto Rocca on January 28, 1969, in Washington D.C. His father, Marcel Rocca, was Italian-American, and his mother was Colombian. He grew up with two brothers, Larry and Frank. Mo developed a passion for television at a young age and aspired to become a television star. He also had an interest in music and played the trumpet during his teen years. Although he gave up playing the instrument for a while, he picked it up again in his 50s. Mo spent a lot of time watching television and reading books during his childhood. He attended the Georgetown Preparatory School in Maryland, where he excelled academically and aspired to become a writer. He was also a big fan of the musical Cats and watched it 40 times as a teenager. After graduating from high school, Mo Rocca enrolled at Harvard University and earned a bachelor’s degree in literature in 1991.
Career
After graduating from college, Mo Rocca continued to pursue his passion for theater. He appeared in musical productions such as Grease and South Pacific. In the mid-1990s, he began his writing career by working on children’s series like Wishbone and The Wubbulous World of Dr. Seuss. He also made his television debut as a journalist and satirist on The Daily Show in 1998. This marked a major breakthrough in his career, as the show gained immense popularity during his time on it. Mo Rocca also hosted television specials and appeared in documentary series such as I Love the ’70s and I Love the ’80s. He further expanded his career by hosting shows like Larry King Live, Best Week Ever, and The Tonight Show. He also made guest appearances on various TV shows and acted in films and series such as Death of a Dynasty, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and The Good Wife.
In addition to his work as a host and actor, Mo Rocca has also written books and worked as an editor. He wrote his first book, titled All the Presidents’ Pets, in 2004. He also briefly worked as an editor for Perfect 10 magazine. In 2019, he started a podcast called Mobituaries, based on his book of the same name. The podcast features endearing obituaries for people who he believes deserve more recognition. Mo Rocca’s script for the 2011 Tony Awards won him an Emmy Award.
Personal Life
Mo Rocca is openly gay and came out in 2011. He has embraced his sexual identity and has been praised by the LGBTQ+ community. He mentioned having a boyfriend in an interview in 2017 but has kept his identity private. In 2013, he was named one of OUT Magazine’s 100 most influential people from the LGBTQ+ community.