Tom Leykis

Thomas Joseph "Tom" Leykis (pronounced: /ˈlaɪkɪs/; born August 1, 1956) is an American talk radio personality best known for hosting The Tom Leykis Show from 1994 to 2009 (nationally syndicated), and April 2012 to the present (internet streamcast/podcast). The show follows the hot talk format, which brought Leykis much success, particularly in the Southern California radio market. Due to the provocative nature of the show, Leykis has often been described as a shock jock. The show's best-known feature is "Leykis 101", in which he purports to teach men "how to get laid" while spending the least amount of time, money, and effort.

He is also the host of The Tasting Room with Tom Leykis, a most-weekly lifestyle program dealing with fine food and drink, airing weekends mainly in West Coast markets.

Early life

Tom Leykis was born August 1, 1956, at a time when his parents, Harry and Laura (née O'Mara), lived in the Bronx. Leykis spent his early childhood in The Bronx,New York City,New York and has two sisters (Terry, Anne) and a brother (Jim). Leykis is of Irish, Jewish and Ukrainian descent. His Jewish grandfather, who originated in Kiev, Ukraine, emigrated to Lithuania and later to the United States at the turn of the 20th century presumably to escape the historical anti-Semitic pogroms in the Russian Empire. Tom Leykis has repeatedly stated that his lineage is irrelevant to his life and his accomplishments in the radio business. His father was a union leader at The New York Post. At a point in Leykis' childhood, he moved with his family to Selden, Long Island, where he completed high school and graduated at 16 from Newfield High School. He then moved away from the family home to study broadcasting at Fordham University and dropped out due to financial issues.