Who is Chris Hansen? Meet the journalist featured in A24’s ‘Primetime’

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Who is Chris Henson, the TV journalist Robert Pattinson portrays in Primetime
Source: A24/Youtube; mega

Robert Pattinson plays ‘To Catch a Predator’ host Chris Hansen in the new A24 film ‘Primetime’, which was released in US theaters on September 25.

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Published October 9, 2026, 12:05am ET

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Chris HansenA24’s new film focuses on his headline-making career, primetime.

Starring Robert Pattinson, primetime was largely based on to catch a hunter The former host rose in the industry in 2006 as he “set out to make television history”. lance oppenheim-Also acted in film directed merit waiver, Skylar Gisondo, phoebe bridgers, Matthew Maher And Bochem Woodbine.

next primetimeHere’s everything you need to know about Henson’s life and the television career that inspired the film, releasing on September 25.

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Chris Hansen is from Michigan

Who is Chris Henson, the TV journalist Robert Pattinson portrays in Primetime
Source: Chris Hansen/Youtube

Robert Pattinson plays Chris Hansen in the A24 psychological thriller film.

Henson was born on September 13, 1959 in Lansing, Michigan, but grew up in the northern Detroit suburbs. phi delta theta.

After graduating from Brother Rice High School, he earned a bachelor’s degree in telecommunications from Michigan State University’s College of Communication Arts and Sciences in 1981.

He recalled in an interview that his interest in investigative reporting began at the age of 14, when he watched FBI agents and police investigating disappearances. jimmy hoffa On 30 July 1975.

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Chris Hansen is a TV presenter and journalist

Who is Chris Henson, the TV journalist Robert Pattinson portrays in Primetime
Source: Chris Hansen/Youtube

‘Primetime’ premiered in the US on September 25.

Hansen began working as a reporter for Lansing NBC affiliate WILX in 1981 during his senior year at Michigan State University.

He reported for radio stations and newspapers in Michigan before joining NBC News in 1993. as a reporter for news magazine Now with Tom Brokaw and Katie Couric. During that period, he covered major events including the September 11 attacks and the Oklahoma City bombing.

Henson later became a reporter dateline nbc and gained national recognition as host to catch a hunter From 2004 to 2007. After leaving NBC in 2013 after two decades with the network, he continued to work in investigative and true crime television through projects. killer instinct, Crime Watch Daily (hansen vs hunter section) and Takedown with Chris Hansen.

He has also hosted the “Predators I’ve Caught” podcast since 2020.

Throughout his career, Hansen has earned numerous honors, including 10 Emmy Awards and five Edward R. Murrow Awards. He has received three Clarion Awards, as well as honors from the National Press Club, the Overseas Press Club, the International Association of Investigative Reporters and Editors and Investigative Journalists.

In 2015, the KidSafe Foundation honored her with the Child Advocate of the Year Award for her work raising awareness about online predators.

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Chris Hansen was arrested for theft in 2019

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Who is Chris Henson, the TV journalist Robert Pattinson portrays in Primetime
Source: Mega

Later the matter was resolved.

In January 2019, the former NBC News correspondent was arrested in connection with a bounced check worth $13,000.

according to nbc newsHe turned himself in to the Stamford Police Department in Connecticut after authorities alleged he had failed to pay a local vendor for promotional merchandise he purchased in 2017. He was accused of issuing a bad check before being released without bond.

Hansen was issue another arrest warrant in 2021 after failing to respond to a subpoena in a s-trafficking case in Michigan.

“A court case in Shiawassee Co., MI occurred today as a result of an investigation into a hunter there. Defense attorney for accused hunter michael lott Video was sought from the investigation. There was misinformation about a hearing being held today on this issue. The matter is currently being resolved!” he told in a statement In those days.

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Chris Hansen has married twice

Who is Chris Henson, the TV journalist Robert Pattinson portrays in Primetime
Source: Mega

Chris Hansen’s first wife filed for divorce before his 2019 arrest.

The TV presenter was married to his first wife, Mary Joan HansenFrom 1989 until their divorce was finalized in 2020. The former couple has two children.

As reported RadarOnline.comMary Joan filed for divorce on June 5, 2018, after almost 30 years of marriage, claiming “the marriage is irretrievably broken.”

After finalizing the divorce, Chris proposed Gabrielle Gagnon in December 2020 and married her in a ceremony in 2021.

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Chris Hansen is featured in A24’s new Robert Pattinson-starring film

Who is Chris Henson, the TV journalist Robert Pattinson portrays in Primetime
Source: Mega

Chris Henson reacted to his portrayal in the film.

Chris returns to the spotlight with the release of A24 primetimewhich was partly inspired by 2007 Sir Article “Tonight on Dateline, This Man Will Die.” This piece examined the controversial to catch a hunter involved in investigation Louis William “Bill” Conrad Jr.He died by suicide in November 2006 during an attempt by law enforcement to issue an arrest warrant.

“I never really planned on making a movie about Chris Hansen. I hope that in some ways, like, his character will inspire some people who have been involved in this over the years, I hope [it’s] Some kind of compliment,” Robert said during a news conference in Venice.

Chris, on the other hand, called the film a “work of fiction” and clarified that he had “nothing to do with the film.”

“It’s overly dramatic…how can they tell the story without talking to someone who was directly involved?” he said during an appearance dan abrams show On 27 August. “The conversations you heard in the trailer never happened in real life.”

In a separate interview with hollywood reporterChris criticized primetime And in its portrayal of his work, the film was called an “insult” and a “completely fabricated work of fiction”.

“I think it’s an insult to the thousands of men and women who work hard every day to protect children from predators. They turn something that was very positive, very challenging and without any risk into a horror movie,” he said, adding that he was not consulted during production.

While he said that Robert’s portrayal presents a version of him that differs significantly from his personality in real life, he stressed that he has “no problem” with it. mickey 17 Star and praised him as an actor.

“I have no problem with Robert Pattinson. I think he’s a great actor and a good man and he’s been very kind in his comments about me. But they’ve put him in a difficult position. He’ll be asked, ‘Did you actually meet Chris Hansen?’ And they have to explain why, as an actor who plays me, they never even reached out to discuss,” Chris said.

He further added, “If I had not made it, no film would have been made predator investigative series, so this would not be possible without my work. Robert Pattinson has said he hopes the film will carry on my legacy and I appreciate that.”

chris continued to question After seeing the portrayal of him and his work in the film primetime in theaters, saying that the film was “bizarre” and felt “far removed from reality.”

He explained, “Obviously I’m not objective because the character, you know, is me.”

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