Who is Jessica Tarlov's father? 'The Five' host planned on getting PhD with dad before his death

Mark Tarlov was struggling with health issues for a long time before he tragically died of cancer
PUBLISHED SEP 18, 2023
Jessica Tarlov's father Mark Tarlov was a film producer and later became a winemaker (@FoxNews/YouTube, Judy Roberts/Facebook)
Jessica Tarlov's father Mark Tarlov was a film producer and later became a winemaker (@FoxNews/YouTube, Judy Roberts/Facebook)

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Jessica Tarlov, while currently known for being a contributor on Fox News, has a lot more up her sleeve in terms of academic and career achievements. She mirrors the achievements of her other family members, including her father Mark Tarlov. 

While Mark was known for being a film producer and had worked on some major projects, especially adaptations during his active years, he did not restrict himself to just one industry. Jessica was incredibly close with her father and was greatly affected by his death back in 2021. 

Who was Mark Tarlov? 

Mark had originally planned on making a career in law, acquiring his degree from Columbia Law School. However, his work started as a speechwriter while working under Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger.

He eventually moved on to try his hand at being an attorney but soon after that, he ended up in the film industry. The first film project he worked on was 'Christine' and was based on the Stephen King novel and directed by John Carpenter.

Mark went on to produce films like 'The Man Who Knew Too Little' starring Bill Murray alongside 'Copycat' and 'Pecker'. 

After moving away from films, as a wine enthusiast, he turned his passion into his profession by opening his own vineyard called Evening Land Vineyards in 2006, situated in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. Mark also started Chapter 24 Vineyards in 2012, after he left his first one.

Mark Tarlov's battle with cancer

Mark Tarlov was struggling with health issues for a long time before it eventually developed into cancer.

According to his wife Judith Roberts, he was first exposed to harmful toxic chemicals after the 9/11 attacks in 2001 on the World Trade Center. They used to reside close to Ground Zero at the time and the proximity of the location resulted in him getting severely ill per The Hour.

Mark ended up succumbing to his poor health in July 2021. This was soon after Jessica wed Brian McKenna. She had previously shared in an interview with the Los Angeles Times that she had planned on studying with Mark to earn another PhD from Columbia University. 

Jessica Tarlov and husband Brian McKenna were neighbors when they started dating (@JessicaTarlov/X)
Jessica Tarlov lost her father soon after she got married to Brian McKenna(@JessicaTarlov/X)

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

John Oliver was bleeped out twice during his brief, 15-second Emmys acceptance speech on live television after he roasted host Nate Bargatze
Sep 15, 2025
Kevin Hart doesn't appreciate paparazzi’s question after viral video of him hosting Diddy’s party resurfaces
Apr 6, 2025
Diddy’s childhood friend Tim Patterson claims Janice Combs’s wild parties often involved pimps, homosexuals, and other adult activities
Apr 6, 2025
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson tied the knot in 1994, but she initially thought the King of Pop was a creep—and we totally get why
Apr 6, 2025
Riley Keough opens up about the Presley family curse in a candid interview while on tour for her book, 'From Here to the Great Unknown'
Apr 5, 2025
Natalie Morales hits back after her interview with Seth Meyers is removed from all platforms due to a revealing outfit
Apr 5, 2025
"Babyface, can you believe she wants me to dress like a girl?" Michael Jackson told a producer.
Apr 2, 2025
Sofia Vergara also dished out on why she doesn't ever want to play Modern Family's Gloria again
Apr 2, 2025
"It took more and more to get high, and I honestly don't know when your body decides it can't deal with it anymore," Lisa Marie Presley wrote.
Apr 1, 2025
A family member's last-minute intervention saved Michael Jackson from the 9/11 tragedy—here’s what happened
Apr 1, 2025