Births on January 28

Mo Rocca, American comedian and television journalist

Maurice Alberto Rocca, born on January 28, 1969, is a highly versatile American media personality renowned for his multifaceted career as a humorist, journalist, and actor. With a distinctive blend of wit, curiosity, and a keen journalistic eye, Rocca has carved a unique niche across television, radio, and digital platforms, engaging audiences with his insightful observations and engaging storytelling.

Mo Rocca's Current Contributions Across Media

Mo Rocca maintains a prominent presence across various respected media outlets, showcasing his range from investigative reporting to lighthearted entertainment and educational programming.

• CBS Sunday Morning Correspondent: As a valued correspondent for the esteemed news magazine program CBS Sunday Morning, Mo Rocca contributes compelling and often whimsical segments that delve into a wide array of cultural, historical, and societal topics. His reports are celebrated for their engaging narrative style, unique perspectives, and ability to uncover fascinating details, often featuring quirky subjects or overlooked historical figures.
• Host and Creator of My Grandmother's Ravioli: On the Cooking Channel, Rocca conceived and hosted My Grandmother's Ravioli, a heartwarming series that blended his passion for food and intergenerational storytelling. The show featured Rocca visiting grandmothers (and grandfathers) from diverse cultural backgrounds, learning their cherished family recipes, and exploring the personal histories and traditions embedded in their cooking. This program celebrated culinary heritage and the invaluable wisdom passed down through generations.
• Host of The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation: Mo Rocca serves as the host of The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation on CBS, an educational and inspiring series that highlights groundbreaking inventions and the ingenious minds behind them. Filmed primarily at The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation in Dearborn, Michigan, the show brings to life the stories of American innovators, showcasing how their ideas have shaped the world and continue to influence our daily lives.
• Host of Mobituaries with Mo Rocca (CBS News Podcast): Extending his storytelling prowess into the audio realm, Rocca hosts the highly acclaimed podcast Mobituaries with Mo Rocca from CBS News. This unique podcast reimagines the obituary, not merely as a chronicle of death but as a celebration of lives that deserve more attention, whether they are historical figures, defunct concepts, or forgotten phenomena. Each episode offers a meticulously researched, humorous, and often poignant look at individuals or entities that left an indelible, if sometimes overlooked, mark on history.
• Regular Panelist on Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!: For radio listeners, Mo Rocca is a familiar voice as a regular panelist on NPR's popular comedic news quiz show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!. Known for his quick wit, clever observations, and ability to find humor in current events, he is a beloved fixture on the show, engaging in spirited banter and offering comical insights into the week's headlines.

Mo Rocca's Illustrious Career Trajectory

Mo Rocca's journey in television began behind the camera, where he honed his creative and production skills before stepping into the spotlight, gradually transitioning from satire to more broadly journalistic endeavors.

• Early Television Production: Rocca initially gained experience by writing and producing several children's television programs. This foundational work provided him with a comprehensive understanding of television production, creative development, and audience engagement, shaping his approach to storytelling.
• The Daily Show Correspondent (1998-2003): His on-camera debut came as a correspondent for Comedy Central's groundbreaking news satire program, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, from 1998 to 2003. In this role, Rocca became known for his distinctive comedic style, delivering mockumentary-style reports and interviews that cleverly satirized political figures, media trends, and societal norms. His segments were a highlight, establishing him as a sharp satirist in the political comedy landscape.
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Correspondent (2004-2008): Following his successful tenure at The Daily Show, Rocca brought his satirical talents to late-night television as a correspondent for NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno from 2004 to 2008. He continued to engage in comedic reports and character pieces, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile humorist capable of delivering smart, engaging content within a variety of formats.
• Transition to CBS News: Over time, Rocca transitioned from predominantly satirical roles to more journalistically focused, albeit still light-hearted and personality-driven, positions with CBS News. This strategic shift allowed him to explore broader journalistic interests and historical topics while retaining his signature engaging and approachable style, a path he continues to follow with his current contributions to the network.

Beyond Hosting: Acting, Authorship, and Academic Engagements

Beyond his extensive work in broadcasting, Mo Rocca has diversified his career into various other creative and educational pursuits, demonstrating his wide range of talents.

• Moderator of the National Geographic Bee (2016-2019): From 2016 until its final competition in 2019, Mo Rocca served as the insightful and engaging moderator of the National Geographic Bee. This prestigious national geography competition for middle school students aimed to foster geographic literacy and global understanding among young Americans. The 2020 and 2021 competitions were regrettably canceled due to the global pandemic and other unforeseen circumstances, and the competition was officially concluded in 2021, marking the end of an era for the beloved contest under Rocca's stewardship.
• Acting Roles: Throughout his career, Rocca has occasionally lent his talents to acting, appearing in small roles in theater, film, and television productions. These ventures demonstrate his versatility and natural presence, allowing him to explore different facets of the entertainment industry beyond his primary comedic and journalistic roles.
• Author: Mo Rocca is also a published author, having penned two books. His literary works often reflect his unique blend of humor, history, and a deep curiosity about the human experience, mirroring the compelling themes explored in his broadcast projects like Mobituaries. His book, "Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Living," expands on the popular podcast, offering meticulously researched and entertaining profiles of historical figures, both famous and lesser-known, who left fascinating legacies.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mo Rocca

What shows does Mo Rocca currently host or appear on?

Mo Rocca is a prominent correspondent for CBS Sunday Morning, the host of The Henry Ford's Innovation Nation on CBS, and the host of the acclaimed podcast Mobituaries with Mo Rocca from CBS News. Additionally, he is a regular and beloved panelist on NPR's popular radio quiz show, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

What was Mo Rocca's role on The Daily Show?

From 1998 to 2003, Mo Rocca gained significant recognition as a correspondent for Comedy Central's satirical news program The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, where he was known for his humorous, often absurd, and incisive field reports and interviews that cleverly parodied current events.

What is the concept behind Mo Rocca's podcast, Mobituaries?

Mobituaries with Mo Rocca is a unique podcast that re-imagines the traditional obituary. Instead of focusing solely on death, Rocca celebrates and re-evaluates the lives of fascinating individuals, historical events, or even concepts that have "died" or been largely forgotten, offering a humorous, deeply researched, and often poignant look at their lasting significance and legacy.

Did Mo Rocca host the National Geographic Bee?

Yes, Mo Rocca served as the insightful and engaging moderator of the prestigious National Geographic Bee from 2016 until its final competition in 2019. The competition was officially concluded in 2021 after its 2020 and 2021 editions were regrettably canceled.

Has Mo Rocca written any books?

Yes, Mo Rocca is a published author of two books. One notable work is "Mobituaries: Great Lives Worth Living," which expands on the compelling themes and profiles originally featured in his highly popular podcast of the same name.