Chris Hansen

Christopher Edward Hansen is a 48 year-old American journalist who is best known for his work on the Dateline NBC television segment To Catch a Predator. These investigations revolve around catching Internet sex predators using a sting operation.

As a result of his investigations, Hansen was asked to testify before the United States House Energy Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations (of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce) on June 27 2006, regarding the issue of Internet predators.

Hansen, also appeared in the pre-show skit for the 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards in September 2006, where he confronted Conan O'Brien (who wandered onto the sets of several primetime television programs while on his way to host) as if he were one of the many predators he confronts. In addition he had a cameo in the "30 Rock" episode The Break Up, in which he confronted Dennis Duffy during a segment of that program, which in turn would be the catalyst for Liz Lemon to dump Dennis for good after she sees him on the program.

On January 9, 2007, Hansen appeared on the BET news series American Gangster. The special, which was hosted by actor Ving Rhames, focused on Detroit drug lords The Chambers Brothers. Hansen gave insight into the lives of the brothers based on the reporting he had done on them in the 1980s and 1990s as a reporter for NBC affiliate WDIV (Channel 4).

Hansen is a graduate of Michigan State University and lives in Stamford, Connecticut with his wife Mary Joan and their two sons. Hansen attended Brother Rice High School near Birmingham, Michigan, where he played football and worked in a Bakery/Deli during his high school years.

Arrest

FAIRFIELD CO (Reuters) - Police raided the Stamford Connecticut home of 48 year old Chris Hansen this afternoon. Police have not yet released any information regarding the circumstances of his arrest other than to say that he is being held without bond in a Fairfield County jail. Chris Hansen is best known for his work with Dateline NBC's "How to catch a predator" whose investigations revolve around catching internet sex predators using under cover sting operations.

The Chris Hansen Prank

There is a popular prank making its rounds around the internet. The "Chris Hansen Prank" has made its way thru message boards, MySpace profiles, e-mails and various other websites. The prank has a link such as, click here for nude photos of a young girl, then the link takes you to a photo of Chris Hansen and a recording of his voice saying, "Why don't you have a seat over there" or "My name is Chris Hansen, and I am with Dateline NBC".