Who Is Julie Chen Moonves’ Son? All About the ‘Big Brother’ Host’s Family
What To Know
- Julie Chen Moonves is the longtime host of Big Brother.
- She has a son, Charlie, whom she hopes might one day take over her hosting duties.
- Julie is married to former CBS executive Les Moonves.
Big Brother is back on TV, and so is longtime host Julie Chen Moonves. Though viewers are focused on all the drama going down inside the house, we’re sure you’re just as curious about Chen Moonves’ home life, especially since she’s revealed her hopes for her son to one day take over her hosting duties.
“I would love for my son to take over the show so there’s still a Chenbot part of it. You know, pass it on to the heir apparent,” Chen Moonves told People, though she assured viewers that she doesn’t plan on stepping down any time soon.
Ahead of Season 28, Charlie was at his mom’s side as she promoted the show during CBS Fest Fall TV Celebration. “It was just yesterday he was on my hip, and now I’m like, is this my bodyguard?” she joked to ET at the April event.
Learn more about Moonves family — and find out if Charlie has any desire to star in his own CBS reality show — below.
Who is Julie Chen Moonves’ son?
Born in 2009, Charlie lives in Los Angeles with his parents. Earlier this year, the 16-year-old was interviewed on the red carpet alongside his mom, who told ET that her son does classical piano, jazz drumming, and water polo. He also speaks two languages. When the outlet asked if he has any desire to do reality TV, Charlie said he’s too busy. “I’m all taken up by the stuff she has me in,” he quipped.
His mom chimed in, “I’m a little bit of a tiger mom, but I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t know he could handle it, and sometimes he’s like, ‘Slow down,’ and I’m like ‘ OK.'”
Chen Moonves also told People that she’d choose Charlie, who doesn’t appear to have social media, as her partner if she ever competed on The Amazing Race. “He’s a water polo player. We’ll be good because he’s like my personal bodyguard now. I’d probably slow him down,” she said during preview of Season 28, according to People.
Art Streiber / CBS
She also brought up Charlie potentially hosting Big Brother one day again. “I would love to see him do it, but I don’t think it’s his thing,” she said. “Bob Barker hosted The Price Is Right for, I believe, 55 seasons [correction: 35 seasons], and I’m a competitive person, I’m like, ‘Bring it, Bob Barker. I will do this to season 56, God willing.’ And then by that time, my son will probably be too old and not want to do the show. I have no idea. My grandchild? My grandchild would do it!”
Charlie also has three step-siblings. Adam, Sara — who is the editor-in-chief of W Magazine — and Mike are from his dad’s previous marriage with actress Nancy Wiesenfeld. They were married from 1978 to 2004.
Who is Julie Chen Moonves’ husband?
So, who is Charlie’s dad? That would be Chen Moonves’ husband, former CBS exec Les Moonves. The couple, who has a 21-year age gap, married in 2004.
The Big Brother host shared her support for her husband when he stepped down as CBS’s CEO in September 2018. He resigned as a result of sexual misconduct allegations made by three women, though he denied any accusation of inappropriate conduct. He said in a statement that he had relations with the women, but claimed they were consensual. “Untrue allegations from decades ago are now being made against me,” he wrote.
His wife said in her own social media statement, “I have known my husband, Leslie Moonves, since the late ’90s, and I have been married to him for almost 14 years. Leslie is a good man and a loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader. He has always been a kind, decent and moral human being. I fully support my husband and stand behind him and his statement.”
Big Brother, Season 28, Premieres July 9 at 8/7c, CBS
