Date of Birth

8 June 1978, Medford, Massachusetts, USA

Height

5' 9¼" (1.76 m)

Trade Mark

Her laugh (self-described as a cross between Fran Drescher and Woody Woodpecker)

Trivia

Was Miss Massachussetts Teen USA 1996.

Graduated from Emerson College in Boston.

Was an anchor on Channel One, a news program for school children usually played during the school day.

Worked as an international correspondent for Channel One News.

When a contestant in the Miss Teen USA Pageant in 1996, representing the state of Massachussetts, Miss Menounos was asked by pageant host Bob Goen what she would like to do when she "grew up." Her response was "I want to work with you at E.T., Bob!". Her wish came true when she joined "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) six years later as a correspondent for the show. She also answered viewers' questions about celebrities at the E.T. website (etonline.com), where her page was called 'Maria's Mailbox'.

She is of Greek descent.

Joined "Entertainment Tonight" (1981) on April 30, 2002 as a correspondent, reporting on film, television, music and fashion. She left ET in 2005.

Speaks Greek fluently

Ranked and Voted #5 by AskMen.com's Top 99 Most Desirable Women of 2006

Ranked and Voted #8 by AskMen.com's Top 99 Most Desirable Women of 2007.

Holds the elite distinction of being the youngest person to ever host Entertainment Tonight (age 22).

Holds the elite distinction of being the youngest person to ever co-host the Today Show.

Holds the elite distinction of being the youngest person to ever report for NBC's Nightly News.

Menounos still owns the very first car she bought when she moved to Los Angeles: a now fully restored 1962 candy apple red Chevrolet Corvair convertible.

Owns the solid gold and pearl handled revolver that Elvis Presley gave to Jack Lord.

Resides on a rare Southern Victorian estate with her adopted dogs.

Avid sports fan - most especially Boston sports. Personal friend of New England Patriot's quarterback, Tom Brady, and Boston Celtic's captain, Paul Pierce.

Avid Professional Wrestling fan. Former WWE Champion Bob Backlund has been both a friend and part time bodyguard.

Great fan of Turner Classic Movies. Looks forward to each Febuary, for TCM's annual month long salute to Oscar.

Played basketball in high school.

Sang in her church choir from grade school to college.

Was a janitor cleaning Boston nightclubs and bars with her parents from age 3 to 14.

Worked at Dunkin Donuts, making and selling donuts through junior high and high school.

Fluent in the languages of Greek, English and Spanish.

Founded umbrella-like charity "Take Action Hollywood" as a result of supporting so many causes. Her most sacred include diabetes research, pet over population and adoption, animal cruelty prevention, worldwide AIDS relief and awareness, general support and relief of allied troops and their loved ones.

Where Are They Now

(May 2006) Co-hosting the Eurovision Song Contest and the Semifinales in Grece, Athens with Sakis Rouvas.

~ Updated: 2008-06-12 ~