The 25 greatest MTV VJs of all time

Bellamy was a budding comedian during the 1980s, and quite popular on the stand-up circuit by the time he landed at MTV.  He became the host of the popular MTV Jams, a one-stop shop for hip hop and rap videos, in 1994. Bellamy's popularity on the network further fueled his comedy and acting career, leading to roles in movies like Love Jones and How to Be a Player, and he continues to pop up on television.

An O.G., Blackwood is among the five original VJs on the scene when the network debuted in 1981. The raspy-voiced Blackwood, who might have been best known before her VJ days for posing in Playboy in 1978, worked at MTV until 1986. In the years and decades that have followed her MTV gig, Blackwood contributed to Entertainment Tonight, Solid Gold , and served as a host on SiriusXM Radio.

"Wubba Wubba Wubba," the catchphrase that made England's Brown an MTV and pop culture favorite during her run on the network from 1987 to '92. Brown started out as a VJ, then became the popular host of Club MTV, the American Bandstand of dance music. Known for her hip fashion sense, Brown has worked for E!  and ESPN, appeared in Sharknado 5: Global Swarming and SiriusXM Radio in her MTV afterlife.

When Bryant began her run as an MTV VJ in 1990, it was actually her first job in television. A tale that's common for a good chunk of hosts. Though Bryant wasn't an over-the-top personality with a schtick or particular vibe or catchphrase, she proved her worth beyond introducing music videos by hosting hot topics and relevant newsworthy programming on the network. In her post-MTV life, Bryant has also worked for FX, ESPN and CNN.

The winner of the first Wanna Be a VJ contest, from 1998. The eccentric Camp put out the vibe of a raggedy, vagabond kid, when in reality, he was a private-school boy from Connecticut. Camp, though, became an instant favorite while hosting MTV Live and co-hosting that show which was rebranded as Total Request Live . After his MTV days, Camp, himself, put out a glam-rock record that featured prominent guest appearances from Stevie Nicks and Rick Nielsen, but was universally panned by critics. 

Curry was born in Virginia, but built a listener following while working radio in the Netherlands. Eventually, Curry made his way back to the States and joined MTV in 1987. With his long blonde hair and tall frame, Curry was the second host of the hard rock/heavy metal favorite Headbangers Ball and MTV Top 20 Video Countdown. Since leaving MTV in the early-mid 1990s, Curry has built a career as a prominent and entrepreneurial podcaster. Notably, co-hosting the popular No Agenda podcast since 2007.

Daly's success as a VJ, then the popular host of MTV's iconic daily music video countdown and celebrity interview show Total Request Live (TRL) from 1998-2003, opened the door a highly successful career as a versatile media personality. In fact, Daly became a celebrity in his own right while at MTV, and has followed with high-profile gigs at NBC with Last Call with Carson Daly, New Year's Eve with Carson Daly, hosting The Voice, and regularly contributing to Today.

An important two-fer in the history of MTV. From 1989-'95, Doctor Dré and Ed Lover hosted "Yo! MTV Raps," an iconic show that helped bring rap and hip hop into the mainstream at the time. Known for their high energy, fun demeanor, and overall humor, Doctor Dré, who once DJ'd for the Beastie Boys, and Ed Lover, who has worked as a DJ and host at several radio stations throughout the U.S., became pop culture celebrities themself. The two also hosted a radio show out of New York City during the 1990s and even starred in their own movie, the forgettable Who's the Man? 

Duffy might be best known to movie fans of the 1990s for appearing in such films as Malcolm X, Blank Check , and Dumb and Dumber. But while acting was her true love, Duffy appreciated her run as an MTV VJ in the early 1990s. During her MTV days, she went by "Duff" and offered the perfect blend of beauty with an infectious personality.

Before there was Doctor Dré and Ed Lover, the legendary Fab 5 Freddy was a highly influential and trendsetting VJ to grace the MTV airwaves. A pioneer of the New York City street scene, initially as a graffiti artist, then as a rapper. However, mainstream music audiences really got to know Freddy as the first host of the aforementioned Yo! MTV Raps in 1988. The versatile icon has also earned acclaim as a visual artist, DJ, and filmmaker.

A native of Cuba and raised in New Jersey, Fuentes was MTV's first latina VJ, when she joined the U.S. network in 1993. Fuentes also appeared and served as host on MTV Latin America. Fuentes' star continued to shine brighter while hosting the massively popular MTV show House of Style. That opened the door for Fuentes to branch out post-MTV, earning acting roles, co-hosting America's Funniest Home Videos and  Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. Currently married to veteran pop rock star Richard Marx, Fuentes has also enjoyed a successful career as a model and product spokesperson.

Another member of MTV's "original five." Goodman was a popular disc jockey (working in Philadelphia, then New York) when he joined the unknown cable all-music video network. He was a longtime face of MTV and hosted some of its most popular shows and segments, such as The Week in Rock, 120 Minutes, and The Top 20 Video Countdown. Goodman also interviewed some of the biggest stars of the time. Goodman has consistently worked post-MTV, in television, radio, and streaming platforms, notably SiriusXM Radio.

The runner-up to the aforementioned Jesse Camp on the initial Wanna Be a VJ. However, Holmes has enjoyed a more successful media career between the two. Holmes was hired by MTV shortly after the 1998 contest and hosted some of its most popular shows, like 120 Minutes and Say What? Karaoke. Following his roughly three years at MTV, Holmes went on to work for networks such as VH1, E!, and FX, among others. He's also been a longtime editor-at-large for Esquire and is a published author.

One of the original MTV VJs, Hunter was pursuing an acting career in New York when he got his big break at the network. Technically, Hunter was the first VJ to appear on air at MTV in 1981. Like Goodman, Hunter interviewed some of the biggest celebrities in music and entertainment, was actively involved in MTV's collaboration with the then-World Wrestling Federation, and was often seen out and about, broadcasting via remote. Currently a staple on SiriusXM Radio, Hunter hosted early versions of the popular MTV Spring Break.

Jackson was a longtime, popular rock DJ (notably in Boston and Los Angeles) before he became part of the first five MTV VJs. Jackson, perhaps, is best known to music fans of a certain age for hosting the long-awaited moment when the members of KISS finally appeared in public -- on the MTV airwaves -- without their trademark makeup. Jackson spent five years at MTV, then returned to his career in radio, right up until his 2004 death from a heart attack at age 64.

Likely not a household name to those fans of MTV when it was still playing music videos on a regular basis during the late 1980s into the '90s. However, Kendall is an important figure in the grand scheme of the channel's evolution by creating and initially hosting 120 Minutes, MTV's massively popular block devoted to alternative music. Kendall, a journalist and DJ, never enjoyed the celebrity status that came with being on-air for most of those on this list, but his impact on the network was no less significant. 

Born Lisa Kennedy Montgomery, but simply known as "Kennedy. She was one of the more enigmatic VJs in the history of MTV. Best known for hosting the late-night Alternative Nation for a good chunk of the 1990s, the bespectacled Kennedy gave off an eccentric and indie vibe, but viewers listened when she got serious and were often praised for her interviewing skills. Usually up for a good time, Kennedy, who infamously got into an on-air spat with comedian/actress Roseanne Barr at the 1994 MTV Video Music Awards, regarding a joke about Rush Limbaugh, followed her career at the network with a long run at Fox News and its family of channels. With whom she still contributes. 

Lewis was already a well-respected and successful media personality from her days at BET (which resulted in an NAACP Image Award) when she was courted by MTV in 1996. Lewis quickly grew to become a popular VJ, and host MTV Live and the underrated Hot Zone, which also featured Lewis handling celebrity interviews. Lewis also hosted several non-musical programming, socially conscience and current event, forum-based segments. She left MTV to tackle The Ananda Lewis Show in 2001, and continued to work regularly after. Sadly, Lewis passed away in June 2025, after a public seven-plus-year battle with breast cancer. 

A longtime champion of alternative rock, Pinfield made a name for himself in that genre as a radio and club DJ during the 1980s, but reached a wider audience while hosting MTV's 120 Minutes (1995-1998). Pinfield became a staple on MTV's family of channels, and returned to hosting 120 Minutes from 2011-'13 on MTV2. One of the most respected and acclaimed personalities in the music business, Pinfield also served as President of A & R and Artist Development for Columbia Records. In early 2025, he suffered a stroke that left him incapacitated, but he has since recovered.

The last of the original five VJs, Quinn is arguably the most popular. She got the job fresh out of New York University, where she worked at the student radio station, appeared in national commercials and interned at WNBC (AM). Quinn was young, perky and the perfect fit for a network targeting suburban American music lovers. She did two stints at MTV (again in the late 1980s and early 1990s) and has enjoyed a solid acting career, appearing in Full House and marrying Bobby Brady on the short-lived series The Bradys.

One of the most memorable and recognizable VJs in MTV history. Rachtman, due to his vast connections to the 1980s metal scene (especially in Los Angeles, where he owned the famed Cathouse), was hired as an MTV VJ in the late 1980s. A year later, he took over as host of Headbangers Ball. He kept that role until the show ended in 1995. Since his MTV time, Rachtman remained in the family, working various shows on VH1, and has enjoyed a successful career in radio and through other entrepreneurial endeavors. He was known for his closing catchphrase to "Keep one foot in the gutter, one fist in the gold."

Discuss the concept of changing directions in one's career. Beginning in 1995, Rex gained mainstream exposure in a decent way during his two years at MTV. However, he was eventually let go, along with others, as the network expanded to include more non-music-video programming. Rex, though, landed on his feet by gaining roles in the WB series Jack & Jill and sitcom What I Like About You. Rex also experienced various degrees of success as a rapper.

Underrated and highly versatile during the late 1980s and into the 1990s, the subtly quirky Seal introduced videos and hosted everything from Club MTV, 120 Minutes, and Headbangers Ball. A winner of a Cable Ace Award, Seal is not the most memorable name on this list, but when it came to getting the job done with a wry sense of humor, Seal should be celebrated for his MTV tenure.

Another VJ who used MTV to become a star. "The Weasel," Shore was already a notable stand-up comedian when he joined MTV in 1989. His slacker fashion and tripped-out persona made him a fan favorite, as he graduated to hosting MTV's famous Spring Break parties, and even got his own show, Totally Pauly, where he performed sketches, played videos, and interviewed the day's hottest entertainers. Shore, who starred in notable movies Encino Man and Son in Law, left the network in 1994. Shore continues to do stand-up today.

Wuhrer made her MTV debut as the attractive, but funny, sidepiece on the ridiculously awesome game show Remote Control in 1987. That was actually the first true television gig for Wuhrer, who also spent time VJing on the channel. It all opened the door for Wuhrer to enjoy a solid and livable career as an actress, notably featuring in the likes of Beverly Hills, 90210, Higher Learning , and Anaconda.