Facts You Didn’t Know About ‘Morning Joe’ Host Joe Scarborough: Inside His Life Beyond the Show

Joe Scarborough Is a Musician

In addition to his career on television, Joe is a musician who released his debut EP, Mystified, in 2017. The former politician has fronted the band titled Scarborough, as well as played in front of crowds over the past decade.

“Music, music is so important to me and my songs are so important to me,” Joe said, per Vanity Fair.

Joe never intended on keeping his music career a secret from those who may know him best from Morning Joe.

“There was nothing secret about it,” he told Vice in September 2017. “That’s what I wanted to do, but I did all these other things, but I kept doing music. It’s one of the reasons when I lifted my [acoustic] guitar up [at the show]. I’ve owned this guitar since 1981 or 1982. It’s been with me everywhere I’ve gone. You’re one of those people, like the guitar is older than you.”

His Son Is Following in His Footsteps

Joe’s son Joey Scarborough became a staff reporter at The Daily News and predominantly covered the Bronx.

“He’s working in the Bronx every day. He’s working six days a week,” Joe said of his son’s career. “He’s doing exactly what I’ve always suggested people do, and that is learn how to report, learn how to get a story, learn how to write, and work around the clock. So that’s great.”

In addition to Joey, Joe shares son Andrew with ex-wife Melanie Hinton, as well as kids Kate and Jack with ex-wife Susan Warren.

Joe Became a Stepdad

In 2018, Joe married Morning Joe cohost Mika Brzezinski. He became a stepdad to her daughters, Carlie and Emilie Hoffer, from Mika’s marriage to her first husband, Jim Hoffer. Emilie often joined her mom at work back when she was on Sunday Evening News and “liked to hide under the desk,” Mika revealed.

His Mom Was His Biggest Supporter

Joe was born to Mary Jo and George Scarborough in 1963. He revealed that his mom was very supportive but also encouraged him to always try harder.

“There was sort of this two-step process where she believed in me and told me from the very beginning I could do whatever I wanted to do,” he told Morning Joe viewers. “If I wanted to be president of the United States … a DJ … and all-star shortstop. She got me believing that and it made a huge difference in my life.”

“But, there were no participation trophies with my mom. Mary Jo believed those to whom much was given, much was expected,” he explained.

Joe Opened Up About a Summer Tradition

Joe revealed a tradition he kept with his family each summer.

“Just about every summer growing up we’d drive across the country to visit my dad’s family in San Diego and go to Disneyland,” he told Parade in July 2012. “My father was an absolute tyrant behind the wheel—he’d drive 14 hours a day with three young kids. But we really saw the country, whether it was the swamps of Louisiana, the Painted Desert, or the Hoover Dam — I wish I had a dollar for every time I had to act awed at the Hoover Dam! But we loved it.”