Christopher John Matthews, known as Chris Matthews, is an American political commentator, retired talk show host, and author born on December 17, 1945, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His early career included serving as a police officer in Philadelphia before transitioning into politics and journalism. In the late 1970s, he worked as a speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter, gaining exposure to national politics. Matthews later entered print journalism in 1987 as the Washington bureau chief for the San Francisco Examiner, a role he held until 2000, during which he also wrote a nationally syndicated column for two years. Matthews's prominence in broadcast media began with the launch of his weeknight talk show, Hardball with Chris Matthews, initially on America's Talking and later on MSNBC, running from 1997 until 2020. The program featured political interviews and analysis, establishing him as a key pundit in American media. He retired from the show on his final episode in March 2020, following an accusation from four years earlier that he had made inappropriate comments to a female guest. Throughout his career, Matthews has authored several books on politics and history, contributing to his reputation as a seasoned observer of Washington politics. Personally, Matthews has been married to Kathleen Matthews since June 21, 1980. His work has been defined by a focus on local and national politics, blending his Philadelphia roots with a long tenure in the nation's capital.