Dave Landau

Anthony Cumia (born April 26, 1961) is an American radio personality, podcaster, and broadcaster best known for co-hosting the Opie and Anthony show from 1995 to 2014. The program, syndicated across major markets and eventually on SiriusXM, gained prominence through its boundary-pushing comedy, listener-driven stunts like the "Crash the Super Bowl" parodies, and high-profile feuds that positioned it as a successor to Howard Stern's format in shock radio. Cumia's tenure ended abruptly on July 3, 2014, when SiriusXM terminated his contract citing "racially-charged and hate-filled remarks" in tweets following an assault by a woman he had photographed without permission in Manhattan, prompting debates over free speech limits in media. He responded by launching The Anthony Cumia Show as an independent video and audio podcast, which evolved into a weekly broadcast on WABC Radio in New York City, airing Sundays from 8 to 11 p.m. Eastern Time and featuring unscripted discussions on politics, culture, and current events. Throughout his career, Cumia has emphasized raw, uncensored expression, authoring the memoir Anthony Cumia Uncensored and maintaining a platform that critiques mainstream narratives on issues like race, immigration, and media bias.

Anthony Cumia was born on April 26, 1961, in Queens , New York, into an Italian-American family. He has an older brother, Joe, and a younger sister, Dawn.

Cumia was raised primarily on Long Island, with the family residing in locations including Elwood and East Islip. He attended Timber Point Elementary School in East Islip during his early years. During part of his teenage years, he lived with his father and brother in San Juan Capistrano, California , reflecting shifts in family living arrangements.

The family environment featured a father whom Cumia has described as insanely funny yet dangerously alcoholic, shaping a working-class Italian-American upbringing centered on practical self-reliance amid personal challenges. This dynamic, rooted in blue-collar roots without formal privileges, instilled early habits of independence in a household influenced by extended family , including an uncle involved in informal activities like growing marijuana.

Cumia's interest in radio stemmed from exposure to New York City broadcasters during his upbringing on Long Island , particularly figures like Howard Stern and Don Imus , whose irreverent styles influenced his approach to the medium. Prior to broadcasting, he held jobs in technical trades, including installing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, reflecting a practical aptitude for hands-on work but no formal journalism or media training.

His professional entry began in 1994 through a merit-based opportunity at WBAB, a Long Island station, where he submitted a winning parody song entry—"Gonna Electric Shock O.J."—to a contest hosted by nighttime DJ Gregg "Opie" Hughes amid the O.J. Simpson trial coverage. This interaction led to Cumia assisting Hughes with comedy bits, showcasing his creative input over established credentials.

The collaboration evolved into the Opie and Anthony on-air partnership, starting locally at WBAB before relocating to WAAF in Boston in March 1995, driven by mutual chemistry and emerging listener feedback rather than top-down promotion. This grassroots progression highlighted Cumia's rise via demonstrated talent and audience resonance in competitive markets.

The Opie and Anthony show, co-hosted by Gregg "Opie" Hughes and Anthony Cumia, launched in March 1995 on WAAF-FM in Boston as a midday program featuring shock jock elements including crude humor, listener call-ins, and boundary-pushing stunts that cultivated a dedicated following among young adults.