Jessica Tarlov married a Republican while being Fox News' most prominent Democratic voice
Jessica Tarlov is a Democratic political strategist and commentator on The Five on Fox News. As a lone liberal voice on conservative media, the Manhattan native has amassed a lot of harsh Republican critics, including President Trump, but she is not fazed. Tarlov told USA Today in 2024 that she loves exposing Fox News viewers to Democratic views.
Living in information silos is only to your detriment.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Key takeaways
- Jessica Tarlov's profile summary
- Jessica Tarlov's biography
- What happened to Jessica Tarlov?
- FAQs
- What is Jessica Tarlov's age?
- Where does Jessica Tarlov live?
- What does Jessica Tarlov have a PhD in?
- Does Jessica Tarlov come from a wealthy family?
- Are Jessica and Molly Tarlov related?
- Is Jessica Tarlov married?
- What does Jessica Tarlov's husband do for a living?
- How many times has Jessica Tarlov been married?
- Conclusion
Key takeaways
- Jessica Tarlov is a lifelong liberal from New York City, where she was raised by a film director and a screenwriter.
- Tarlov became a Fox News commentator in 2017 and joined the network's leading program, The Five, in 2022 as a rotating co-host.
- Jessica, who holds a PhD in Political Science from the London School of Economics, has two daughters with her husband Brian McKenna.
Jessica Tarlov's profile summary
Full name | Jessica Tarlov |
Gender | Female |
Date of birth | March 9, 1984 |
Zodiac sign | Pisces |
Age | 42 years old (as of June 2026) |
Place of birth | Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA |
Current residence | New York City, USA |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | White Jew |
Height | 5 ft 11 inches (180 cm/1.8 m) |
Hair colour | Brown |
Eye colour | Dark brown |
Parents | Mark Tarlov (Father) Judith Roberts (Mother) |
Siblings | Molly Tarlov |
Marital status | Married |
Spouse | Brian McKenna (2021 to date) |
Children | Daughters Cleo and Teddy |
Alma mater | Bryn Mawr College (BA) London School of Economics (MSc, MRes, PhD) |
Profession | Political strategist and commentator |
Employer | Fox News (2017 to date) |
Political party | Democratic Party |
Net worth | Approx. $4 million (as of 2026) |
Social media |
Jessica Tarlov's biography
Tarlov was born on March 9, 1984 (42 years old as of June 2026), in Manhattan, New York City. She has Jewish heritage, which has been a big part of her identity as a political strategist and commentator on Fox News Channel. A 5-foot-11 Jessica told the Los Angeles Times in 2022, "I can't be anything else but a tall Jewish girl from Tribeca."
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Who are Jessica Tarlov's parents and siblings?
Unlike Jessica, her family members built their careers in show business. Her father, Mark Tarlov, was a respected Hollywood attorney, producer, and director known for Copycat, Christine, Simply Irresistible, and Serial Mom. Mark passed away on July 31, 2021, at the age of 69 from cancer.
Jessica Tarlov's mother, Judith Roberts, is a screenwriter and producer. She has worked on projects such as Simply Irresistible and Temptation starring Zoe Saldaña. Jessica told USA Today in 2017 that she considers her parents, who were married for over four decades, to be her biggest mentors.
They're brilliant, bold thinkers who always pushed me to experiment academically and professionally. Having support to take a zigzag path to get where you're going... has made each phase of my career that much better. Plus, their marriage is total 'Relationship Goals'.
Jessica grew up in Tribeca, Manhattan, alongside her younger sister, Molly Tarlov. Molly is an established actress best known for portraying Sadie Saxton in the MTV drama series Awkward from 2011 to 2016. She also had roles in G.B.F. and Simply Irresistible.
Source: Getty Images
Who is Jessica Tarlov's husband?
Jessica is married to hedge fund executive Brian McKenna. The couple began dating during the COVID-19 pandemic when he happened to be her next-door neighbour. Tarlov and Brian announced their engagement in April 2021.
The pair tied the knot a few weeks later in May 2021, but Jessica Tarlov did not post their wedding pictures online. Brian McKenna is not fond of the spotlight and had never watched cable news before meeting Tarlov, according to the New York Times. Tarlov occasionally talks about her husband, and on Father's Day in June 2022, she wrote on X:
First Father's Day for my incredible husband and my first without my dad. The circle of life is really something!... Brian hates pictures.
Source: Getty Images
What is Jessica Tarlov's husband's net worth?
Brian McKenna's exact net worth is unknown. Hedge fund executives in the United States earn an estimated base salary of over $200,000 per year, and the total compensation can exceed $1 million after bonuses, according to Wall Street Oasis.
Who was Jessica Tarlov's first husband?
Jessica Tarlov was reportedly married to Roman Kuznetsov, although the pair rarely publicised their romance, and there is no evidence of a formal marriage. Roman is a celebrated Russian Taekwondo athlete known for his achievements in international competitions.
Roman Kuznetsov gained recognition after winning a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 2017 World Taekwondo Championships. That same year, he secured a gold medal at the Moscow leg of the World Taekwondo Grand Prix.
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Does Jessica Tarlov have kids?
Jessica and her husband, Brian McKenna, have two daughters. They welcomed their first child, Cleo Markie McKenna, on December 11, 2021, and had their second daughter, Teddy Tarlov McKenna, on April 11, 2024. Tarlov shared in her 2022 interview with the Los Angeles Times that her kids have changed her perspective on the world.
But motherhood and parenting has put a new column on the board that has made me see the world completely differently and definitely has not made me more conservative in that view whatsoever. I want more possibilities, more opportunities for the next generation.
Jessica Tarlov's extensive academic background
Tarlov graduated from Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History. She proceeded to the elite London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) to pursue a Master of Science in Public Policy and Administration.
Jessica obtained her Master of Research in Political Science from LSE in 2008, according to her LinkedIn. She returned to LSE for her third postgraduate degree and graduated in 2012 with a PhD in Political Science and Government. Tarlov's doctoral dissertation explained how scandals affect politicians' careers.
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How Jessica Tarlov became a top liberal strategist and commentator
Jessica Tarlov's professional journey began in 2007 when she took on the role of project manager at Merrill Lynch. In her role, she represented the company at various conferences in Paris and Brussels, per her LinkedIn.
Between 2008 and 2009, Jessica Tarlov was a graduate teaching assistant at the London School of Economics and Political Science. In 2012, she joined Boris Johnson's re-election campaign for London Mayor as a communications and digital strategist.
Jessica Tarlov became an experienced liberal political strategist and pollster when she joined New York City-based Douglas Schoen LLC in 2012. For over five years, she worked with both local and international clients, including former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and HBO. She also wrote editorials for major New York publications.
Tarlov has also held top executive roles in the media. In 2017, she was appointed the Vice President of Research and Consumer Insight at the Bustle Digital Group in New York City. Jessica worked with the company's Bustle Trends Group until January 2025.
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Jessica Tarlov's rise on Fox News Channel
Tarlov started making guest appearances as a liberal commentator on Fox News Channel in 2014. The network announced in 2017 that Jessica had officially signed a contract to become a contributor. In the role, she offered liberal political analysis and insight on Fox News and Fox Business Network.
In January 2022, the Democratic strategist joined the rotating panel of co-hosts on The Five, a leading non-primetime program on cable news. Jessica Tarlov alternates the liberal seat with Harold Ford Jr. to counterweight fellow conservative co-hosts.
Tarlov also co-hosts the Raging Moderates podcast alongside tech entrepreneur Scott Galloway. In May 2024, Jessica's influential political commentary on Fox News earned her a feature on Variety's 2024 Women of Impact list.
How Jessica Tarlov thrives on conservative media
For the past decade, Jessica Tarlov has been the typical liberal that conservatives love to hate on Fox News. She is known for interjecting the political commentary of her Republican colleagues with counter-data. Tarlov told The Washingtonian in 2017 that she must come prepared or she will "lose in spectacular fashion," adding:
To make information that the audience and even your co-panellists don't want to hear palatable, and maybe also see the rightness in it, is the trick. You can't take yourself so seriously that you're like a harpy, just like yelling all the time. You can't do any of that.
Outside of their political rivalry, Jessica Tarlov considers conservative stars like Jesse Watters and Sean Hannity to be good people. She told the LA Times in 2022 that it was an honour to bring liberal views to Fox News viewers. Jessica also shared in a 2024 USA Today interview that she has had to develop thick skin to avoid getting offended by harsh online critics.
You don't want to come off as shrill, like every single thing a conservative says, you automatically have the opposite opinion of... I can't actually remember a time I was genuinely offended or upset by something that went on during the show.
Source: Getty Images
Jessica Tarlov's books
The liberal Fox News contributor is a published author. Jessica's first book, America in the Age of Trump: Opportunities and Oppositions in an Unsettled World, came out in 2017. She co-authored the book with fellow political strategist and Democratic pollster Douglas E. Schoen.
Jessica Tarlov's second book, I Disagree: Winning Arguments Without Losing Friends, will come out on September 15, 2026. It draws from her experience as a lone liberal on The Five, according to Penguin Random House.
What is Jessica Tarlov's net worth?
Jessica Tarlov is estimated to be worth $4 million in 2026, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Her annual salary is around $1 million. Tarlov built her wealth from her successful career as a liberal voice in the media.
What happened to Jessica Tarlov?
Jessica Tarlov remains a core part of The Five despite rumours that the network fired her. In April 2026, President Trump, who is not a fan of the liberal commentator, asked Fox News executives to fire her through a Truth Social post. Jessica regularly speaks out against the Trump administration.
Tarlov has also dealt with legal problems. In March 2024, business Tony Bobulinski, who had worked with Hunter Biden, filed a $30 million lawsuit against Jessica. The commentator had alleged on The Five that a Trump Super PAC was paying Bobulinski's legal bills. A New York judge dismissed the lawsuit in November 2024.
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FAQs
Jessica Tarlov is one of the most recognisable Democratic commentators on Fox News. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about the New York liberal:
What is Jessica Tarlov's age?
Jessica Tarlov is 42 years old as of June 2026. The Five co-host was born on March 9, 1984.
Where does Jessica Tarlov live?
Jessica Tarlov is a lifelong New Yorker. She resides in New York City with her husband, Brian McKenna, and their two daughters, Cleo and Teddy.
What does Jessica Tarlov have a PhD in?
Tarlov holds a PhD in Political Science and Government. She obtained it from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 2012.
Does Jessica Tarlov come from a wealthy family?
The Fox News liberal strategist grew up in a well-off Manhattan family with connections in the entertainment industry. Jessica Tarlov's late dad, Mark Tarlov, was a film producer and director, while her mother, Judith Roberts, is a screenwriter.
Are Jessica and Molly Tarlov related?
Jessica Tarlov and Awkward actress Molly Tarlov are sisters. The political strategist is over two years older than Molly (born on September 12, 1986).
Is Jessica Tarlov married?
Yes. Brian McKenna married Jessica Tarlov in May 2021 after the pair met during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What does Jessica Tarlov's husband do for a living?
Tarlov's husband, Brian McKenna, is a hedge fund executive. Brian prefers to stay out of the spotlight.
How many times has Jessica Tarlov been married?
The Five co-host is said to have been married twice, but her only confirmed marriage is to Brian McKenna. Jessica Tarlov's first husband is widely reported to be Russian Taekwondo athlete Roman Kuznetsov.
Source: Getty Images
Conclusion
Jessica Tarlov has had an impressive rise in the media, shaped by her strong liberal voice on a conservative network. Her personal life has also changed a lot in the five years, from marrying Brian McKenna to losing her dad and becoming a mother to two daughters.
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Adrianna Simwa (Lifestyle writer) Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Legit.ng where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years. She has worked for The Hoth, The Standard Group and Triple P Media. Adrianna graduated from Nairobi University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in 2020. In 2023, Simwa finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach her through her email: adriannasimwa@gmail.com
John Ouma (Lifestyle writer) John Ouma is a print journalist with seven years of newsroom experience, known for sharply argued think pieces at the intersection of power, politics, and society. He was awarded the FirstGen scholarship by Biola University and a merit-based scholarship by AMDA College in January 2021. Between 2018 and 2022, he worked as an opinion columnist for The Standard and Nation Africa. He is currently writing his debut literary-historical fiction novel and will enrol in a B.A. in film production at EICAR in France in the fall of 2026. Email: gervasjohn97@gmail.com
