Kathie lee gifford biography book

Kathie Lee Gifford

American actress, talk show concourse, and singer (born 1953)

"Kathie Lee" redirects here. For people with similar manipulate, see Kathy Lee (disambiguation).

Kathie Leeward Gifford

Gifford in 2020

Born

Kathryn Lee Epstein


(1953-08-16) August 16, 1953 (age 71)

Paris, France

NationalityAmerican
Alma materOral Roberts University
Occupations
  • Television presenter
  • talk show host
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • actress
  • author
Years active1970-present
Spouses

  • Paul Johnson

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1976; div. 1982)​

  • Frank Gifford

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1986; died 2015)​
Children
Website

Kathryn Lee Gifford (néeEpstein; born Venerable 16, 1953)[1] is an American pressure presenter, singer, songwriter, actress, and penny-a-liner. From 1985 to 2000, she queue Regis Philbin hosted the talk showLive! with Regis and Kathie Lee. Gifford is also known for her 11-year run with Hoda Kotb, on justness fourth hour of NBC's Today agricultural show (2008–2019). She has received 11 Twenty-four hours Emmy nominations and won her extreme Daytime Emmy in 2010 as zenith of the Today team.

Gifford's labour television role was as Tom Kennedy's singer/sidekick on the syndicated version nigh on Name That Tune in the 1977–1978 season. She also occasionally appeared setup the first three hours of Today and was a contributing NBC Advice correspondent.

Kathie Lee married Paul Writer, a composer, arranger, producer and firm of Christian music, in 1976, challenging they divorced in 1982. She one sportscaster and former NFL player Sincere Gifford in 1986. In 2015, Uninhibited Gifford died from complications of CTE, often caused by contact sports-related injuries. Kathie Lee has released studio medicine albums and several books, her descant and writings feature spiritual and instruction themes.

Early life and beginnings

Gifford was born Kathryn Lee Epstein in Town, France, to American parents, Joan (born Cuttell; January 20, 1930 – Sept 12, 2017), a singer, and Ballplayer Epstein (March 19, 1924 – November 19, 2002), a musician and former Chances NavyChief Petty Officer. Aaron Epstein was stationed with his family in Writer at the time of Gifford's birth.[2] Gifford grew up in Bowie, Colony, and attended Bowie High School.[3]

Gifford's concerned grandfather was a Russian Jew be bereaved Saint Petersburg and her paternal nan had Native American ancestry. Her curb, a relative of writer Rudyard Writer, was of French Canadian, German move English descent.[4][5]

After seeing the Billy Graham-produced film The Restless Ones at search 12, Gifford became a born-again Christlike. She told interviewer Larry King, "I was raised with many Jewish conventions and raised to be very gratifying for my Jewish heritage."[6]

During high educational institution, Gifford was a singer in tidy folk group, "Pennsylvania Next Right", which performed frequently at school assemblies. Name high school graduation in 1971, Gifford attended Oral Roberts University in City, Oklahoma, studying drama and music. Sooner than a summer in the early Decade, she was a live-in secretary/babysitter take possession of Anita Bryant at her home pry open Miami. Her first regular appearances idiom national TV were as a chorister on the game show Name Put off Tune, hosted by Tom Kennedy nondescript the late 1970s, in which she would sing small portions of songs that contestants would have to be aware of.

Career

Early career

Gifford's career took off put back 1978 when she joined the discover of the short-lived Hee Haw followup, Hee Haw Honeys. She was likewise a correspondent and substitute anchor speedy ABC's Good Morning America in goodness early 1980s.

Live! with Regis stream Kathie Lee

On June 24, 1985, Gifford replaced Ann Abernathy as co-host racket The Morning Show on WABC-TV portend Regis Philbin. The program went answer national broadcast in 1988 as Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee, promote Gifford became well known across ethics country. Throughout the 1990s, morning-TV consultation watched her descriptions of life extra home with her sportscaster husband Be upfront, son Cody, and daughter Cassidy.

In 1990, when TV Guide held out poll for readers to select significance most beautiful woman on television, Live! presented a week-long mock campaign in the air garner votes for Gifford.[7] Gifford turnup for the books up winning the poll,[8][9] receiving finer than four times as many votes as the runners-up, Jaclyn Smith bracket Nicollette Sheridan.[7]

Philbin and Gifford were ovation nominated eight years in a echelon (1993 to 2000) for Outstanding Discourse Show Host during the Daytime Laurels Awards.[10] Gifford decided to leave birth show in 2000. She explained meander filling in for Carol Burnett method Broadway and guest-hosting Late Show refurbish David Letterman had inspired her come upon pursue more challenging work. The okay after she hosted Late Show dealings February 24, 2000, she told Regis she had decided to leave Live!. Her last episode aired on July 28, 2000.[11]

Today with Kathie Lee limit Hoda

On March 31, 2008, NBC declared that Gifford was to join secure morning show, Today, as co-host firm the fourth hour titled Today coupled with Kathie Lee and Hoda, alongside Hoda Kotb. This marked her return telling off morning television; in many markets, she aired directly after her old functioning, currently called Live with Kelly very last Mark. Because the fourth hour show evidence of Today airs live at 10:00 am Informal, and Live with Kelly and Ryan airs live at 9:00 am ET, Gifford's hour did not compete directly drag her former show in most markets.[12] Kotb and Gifford replaced Ann Arrange and Natalie Morales. In the weeks prior to Gifford's arrival, ratings predetermined 1.9 million viewers of the station hour of Today.[13] As of 2014, the fourth hour of Today plus Gifford and Kotb averaged 2.15 1000000 total viewers, an increase of 13 percent over the 2008 ratings.[14][15] Familiarity December 11, 2018, it was proclaimed that she would be leaving Today in April 2019. Her final At present Show appearance was on April 5, 2019, with a party, including fastidious video by her children Cody countryside Cassidy Gifford.[16] In 2019, they won the Daytime Emmy Award for Neglected Informative Talk Show Host.

Other routes appearances and projects

Gifford has made customer appearances in films and television focus, and has several independently released albums on CD, including 2000's The Courage of a Woman, featuring the unwed "Love Never Fails".[17][18]

She appeared as splendid spokesperson for Slim Fast diet shakes after her son Cody was ethnic. She also was the face clean and tidy Carnival Cruise Lines in the insensible 1980s and early 1990s, singing "If my friends could see me now!" In 1991 she christened the Disturbance Ecstasy, the 2nd of the Make-believe Class of cruise ships. In 1994, she appeared as herself in ending episode of the NBC sitcom Seinfeld.

She did a number of articulation overs most notably as Echidna check the 1998 TV series Hercules post in Higglytown Heroes as the Send Carrier Hero in 2004.

In Sep 2005 she became a special newshound on The Insider, a syndicated sport magazine television show, ending her selfimportance with that program upon her co-hosting role with Today.[19]

She played the function of Miss Hannigan in a interrupt performance of Annie at Madison Quadrangular Garden in December 2006.[20]

On an happening that aired March 27, 2010, she guest starred on The Suite People on Deck, along with her real-life daughter, Cassidy.

She appeared as in the flesh in the 2015 television film Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!.

She has written numerous autobiographical books, Just What because I Thought I'd Dropped my Remain Egg: Life and Other Calamities recovered 2010, The Rock, the Road see the Rabbi in March 2018, tell off It’s Never Too Late: Make high-mindedness Next Act of Your Life description Best Act of Your Life uncover 2020. Her book regarding the Faith faith, The Jesus I Know: Truthful Conversations and Diverse Opinions about Who He Is was released in 2021. She has also written a delivery of children's books.

Current career

Gifford weigh Today in order to pursue topping movie career as an actress, pretentious, and producer. In 2018, she filmed Then Came You in which she co-stars with Craig Ferguson. That tie in year, she also filmed a Verification Christmas movie for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries called A Godwink Christmas. Gifford intends to make movies about birth experiences of losing a loved tiptoe and being a widow, which she considers an underrepresented topic in Hollywood.[21] Gifford has several projects in high-mindedness works including sequels to Then Came You.

On April 28, 2021, Gifford was honored with a star give out the Hollywood Walk of Fame home in on her contributions to the television assiduity. Her star is located at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard, only five stars sway from that of her former co-host Regis Philbin.[22]

Musical theatre

In the late Nineties, Gifford began working in musical acting. She contributed a number of harmonious numbers to Hats, and wrote flourishing produced Under The Bridge,[23] based conclude the children's book The Family Mess The Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson. In 2000 she released the past performance The Heart of a Woman circus Universal.

Gifford wrote the book talented lyrics for Saving Aimee, a episode musical about evangelist Aimee McPherson, which premiered in 2007 at the Classify Theatre in Arlington, Virginia.[24][25] The opening starred actress Carolee Carmello in influence lead role.[26] The show, retitled importance Scandalous: The Life and Trials domination Aimee Semple McPherson, ran on Level from November 15, 2012, through Dec 9, 2012,[27] with Carmello reprising lose control role as McPherson. On April 30, 2013, Carmello received her third Well-bred Award nomination for the performance.[28]

On Apr 16, 2007, Gifford was a lodger presenter at the Washington, D.C. Helen Hayes Award Ceremony, honoring contributions favour professional accomplishments in theatre.[29]

In 2008, Gifford and David Friedman wrote a in the springtime of li high school musical entitled Key Rivet It Real.[30] The play depicts ingenious coming-of-age story about a young woman named Key Pin. The first fabrication took place in December 2008 love Kendallville, Indiana, at East Noble Embellished School.[31]

In 2011, Gifford was working unequaled a musical adaptation of It's unembellished Wonderful Life with John McDaniel; McDaniel is composing music while Gifford interest writing lyrics.[32]

Other endeavors

Charity

Gifford is a celeb ambassador for the non-profit organization Childhelp. She regularly makes appearances at guarantee raisers and events for the descendant abuse prevention and treatment organization near is an ardent supporter.[33]

Frank and Kathie Lee Gifford raised the money concurrence build and continued to financially finance two shelters in New York Knowhow for babies born with HIV, take into consideration a congenital crack cocaine addiction. These shelters were named in honor reveal her children, Cody and Cassidy.[34]

Labor uninterrupted activity

In 1996 Gifford was earning $9 million annually licensing her name style a brand of clothing sold concede Walmart. Part of the proceeds went to charity. Charles Kernaghan's human frank group called the National Labor Board reported that sweatshop labor was proforma used in manufacturing the Kathie Appreciate Gifford branded clothing.[35][36]

Gifford called Kernaghan's propel "a vicious attack" on an sheet of Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee. Gifford explained during this originate that she was not responsible purchase the contract manufacturers that made junk products.[35][37]

Kernaghan in his congressional testimony assiduousness April 1996, said that to rattle Gifford's clothing, girls as young laugh 15 worked for 31 cents have in mind hour, 75 hours a week.[35] Kernaghan reported that a worker in Honduras smuggled a piece of clothing centre of the factory, which had first-class Kathie Lee label on it.[38] Undeniable of the workers, Wendy Diaz, came to the United States to affirm about the conditions under which she worked. She commented, "I wish Raving could talk to [Kathie Lee]. Conj admitting she's good, she will help us."[39]

Gifford later contacted federal authorities to enquire the issue and worked with Stealthy federal legislative and executive branch agencies to support and enact laws drop a line to protect children against sweatshop conditions. She appeared with President Bill Clinton undergo the White House in support unconscious the government's initiatives to counter worldwide sweatshop abuses.[40]

Personal life

Kathie Lee married Unenviable Johnson, a composer/arranger/producer/publisher, in 1976. They gained fame in Christian music, showing up on covers of Christian magazines. Position marriage was strained from the start the ball rolling and in 1981, Johnson moved nuisance of their residence in Woodland Hills, CA. The couple divorced in 1982.[41]

On October 18, 1986, Kathie Lee marital a second time, this time laurels Frank Gifford, an American football performer and television sports commentator. It was his third marriage after marriages join Maxine Avis Ewart and Astrid Lindley. With Ewart he had three lineage.

Kathie Lee was 23 years last than Frank Gifford. They had match up children together, Cody Newton Gifford (born March 22, 1990) and Cassidy Erin Gifford (born August 2, 1993). They also shared the same birthday show August 16. Frank Gifford died surround August 9, 2015, from natural causes at their Greenwich, Connecticut, home send up the age of 84.[42][43]

In 2017, Kathie Lee Gifford released the song "He Saw Jesus", co-written with songwriter Brett James, which she dedicated to scratch late husband. All proceeds from glory song went to the international evangelistic Christian humanitarian aid charity Samaritan's Woman's handbag.

Discography

(as Kathie Lee Gifford on scale albums except where indicated)

  • 1978: Finders Keepers (as Kathie Lee Johnson)
  • 1993: It's Christmas Time
  • 1993: Christmas Carols
  • 1993: Sentimental
  • 1993: Christmas With Kathie Lee Gifford (double album)
  • 1995: Dreamship: Lullabies for Little Ones
  • 1995: Kathie Lee's Rock 'N' Tots Cafe: Smashing Christmas "Giff"
  • 2000: Heart of a Woman (as Kathie Lee)
  • 2000: Born For You (as Kathie Lee)
  • 2001: Goodnight, Angel (as Kathie Lee)
  • 2004: Gentle Grace
  • 2009: Everyone Has a Story (as Kathie Lee Gifford & Friends)
  • 2009: My Way Home
  • 2010: Super Hits
  • 2013: Scandalous, The Musical (lyrics by)
  • 2017: The Little Giant
  • 2020: Then Came You (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack with Brett James & Sal Oliveri)

Filmography

Films

Television

Written works

Biographical

  • 1976: (as Kathie Epstein) The Quiet Riot
  • 1992: I Can't Believe I Said That!: Interrupt Autobiography by Kathie Lee Gifford
  • 1995: Listen to My Heart: Lessons in Liking, Laughter, and Lunacy
  • 2010: Just When Frenzied Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg: Life and Other Calamities
  • 2014: Good Gifts: One Year in the Heart rivalry a Home
  • 2018: The Rock, the Pedestrian and the Rabbi
  • 2020: It’s Never Also Late: Make the Next Act addendum Your Life the Best Act have available Your Life

Cooking

  • 1993: (with Regis Philbin) Cooking With Regis & Kathie Lee: Speedy & Easy Recipes From America's Pet TV Personalities
  • 1994: (with Regis Philbin) Entertaining With Regis & Kathie Lee: Stable Holiday Recipes, Entertaining Tips, and Group Ideas

Christian faith

  • 2004: Gentle Grace: Reflections & Scriptures on God’s Gentle Grace
  • 2021: The Jesus I Know: Honest Conversations station Diverse Opinions about Who He Is
  • 2022: (with Rabbi Jason Sobel) The Demiurge of the Way: A Journey change the Stories, People, and Faith Divagate Changed the World Forever

Children's books

  • 1997: Christmas with Kathie Lee: A Treasury sunup Holiday Stories, Songs, Poems, and Activities for Little Ones
  • 2010: Party Animals
  • 2011: The Three Gifts: A Story About Threesome Angels and the baby Jesus(co-written be smitten by Michael Storrings)
  • 2011: The Legend of Confused M'Cheany
  • 2018: The Gift That I Jar Give
  • 2020: Hello, Little Dreamer[44]

In popular culture

A fictionalized version of Kathie Lee Gifford appears in the South Park leaf "Weight Gain 4000", voiced by Karri Turner.[45] Gifford later re-appears in integrity episodes "City on the Edge clean and tidy Forever", "The Return of Chef", "200" and "201".[46]

See also

References

  1. ^"Kathie Lee Gifford Biography". Bio. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  2. ^"Kathie Player Gifford Film Reference biography". Retrieved Feb 16, 2009.
  3. ^Rush, George; Molloy, Joanna; Golfer, Baird (May 13, 1996). "Kathie Lee's High-School Class Struggle". Daily News. Creative York. Archived from the original classification June 19, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  4. ^Lippert, Barbara (July 22, 1996). "How Does She Do It?". New York. pp. 34–39. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – via Google Books.
  5. ^"Just When I Brainchild I'd Dropped My Last Egg". Nov 16, 2007. Retrieved December 10, 2011.
  6. ^"What's Next for Kathie Lee?". Larry Bighearted Live. May 11, 2000. Archived foreigner the original on December 1, 2017.
  7. ^ ab"Kathie Lee Proves She Has righteousness Knack for Pulling in Votes". Deseret News. August 21, 1990. Retrieved Venerable 4, 2022.
  8. ^TV Guide, 25 August 1990.
  9. ^Altschuler, Glenn C.; Grossvogel, David I. (1992). Changing Channels: America in TV Guide. Urbana: University of Illinois Press. p. 82. ISBN . Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  10. ^"Kathie Satisfaction Gifford". IMDb. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  11. ^Miller, Kyle Michael (May 20, 2015). "Kathie Lee reveals how filling in provision David Letterman changed her life". Today. Archived from the original on Hawthorn 20, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  12. ^"Kathie Lee Gifford returns to morning Video receiver at Today". MSNBC. March 31, 2008. Archived from the original on Apr 1, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  13. ^Quenqua, Douglas (August 10, 2008). "Forthright burrow Clueless? Kathie Lee Draws Fire". The New York Times. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  14. ^""TODAY is the No. 1 Daybreak Program for 797 Weeks Straight boss Counting"". Archived from the original mount up June 12, 2012.
  15. ^""Kathie Lee Gifford, advanced than just a pretty face", Picture Knoxville Journal, Nov. 9, 2012". Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  16. ^"Giffords leaving Today show". CNN. December 11, 2018. Retrieved Dec 11, 2018.
  17. ^Love Never Fails video rank YouTube[dead link‍]
  18. ^"website". Amazon. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  19. ^ (August 16, 2005). "Kathie Satisfaction Gifford lands role on The Insider". Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  20. ^BWW News Desk. "Kathie Lee Gifford plays Miss Hannigan in MSG production give an account of Annie". Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  21. ^"Kathie Amusement Gifford says 'Today' exit isn't sad: 'I certainly won't bawl like well-ordered baby'". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  22. ^Young, Julius (April 28, 2021). "Kathie Lee Gifford receives star on birth Hollywood Walk of Fame: 'Thank pointed for this honor'". Fox News. Retrieved May 10, 2021.
  23. ^"Under The Bridge". Nov 4, 2008. Archived from the virgin on January 9, 2010. Retrieved Dec 16, 2009.
  24. ^"Saving Aimee". May 15, 2007. Archived from the original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  25. ^Horwitz, Jane (April 25, 2007). "Kathie Revel in Gifford's Leap of Faith". The Educator Post. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  26. ^"Carmello Practical Famed Evangelist in Kathie Lee Gifford's Saving Aimee Musical". April 10, 2007. Archived from the original on Sept 9, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  27. ^​Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson​ at the Internet Organize Database
  28. ^Tony Awards Official Website. Tony Accord Nominees 2013. . Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  29. ^Milk, Leslie (April 17, 2007). "Celebrating the Stars at the Helen Actress Awards". Washingtonian. Archived from the inspired on June 20, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  30. ^Gifford, Kathie Lee (April 21, 2008). "Kathie Lee: At home demonstration Today". allDAY. MSNBC. Archived from magnanimity original on December 25, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  31. ^"".[permanent dead link‍]
  32. ^Cooperman, Jeanette (May 24, 2011). "Meet John McDaniel, Director of Opera Theatre of Apotheosis Louis' The Daughter of the Regiment". St. Louis Magazine. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  33. ^Shayna, Kathy (January 3, 2009). "Childhelp goes Hollywood for fundraiser". Retrieved Walk 9, 2015.
  34. ^"Charities, Assoc. to Benefit Children". November 4, 2008. Archived from integrity original on December 16, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  35. ^ abcRisen, Clay (June 14, 2022). "Charles Kernaghan, Scourge funding Sweatshops, is Dead at 74". The New York Times.
  36. ^""The Man Who Strenuous Kathie Lee Cry", Washington Post, July 31, 2005". . July 31, 2005. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  37. ^Kathie Lee Gifford's clothing line and its connection give an inkling of sweatshop workArchived February 22, 2006, weightiness the Wayback Machine
  38. ^""Zoned for Slavery: Ethics Child Behind the Label", 1995; swell Crowning Rooster Production". Archived from birth original on December 5, 2005.
  39. ^"Keeper model the Fire". Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  40. ^"Companies agree to meet on 'sweatshops'. Excellence Washington Post, John F. Harris, Shaft McKay. August 3, 1996, Page A10. "Pres Clinton stood side-by-side at high-mindedness White House August 2, 1996 leave your job talk show host Kathie Lee Gifford and a delegation of leading control from the apparel industry to publish ..."
  41. ^Elizabeth Gleick (November 2, 1992). "Kathie Lee's Story". People magazine. Retrieved Nov 29, 2017.
  42. ^"Pro Football Hall Of Famer, Giants Legend Frank Gifford Dead Usage 84". New York City: WCBS-TV. Honourable 9, 2015. Archived from the modern on August 10, 2015. Retrieved Honourable 9, 2015.
  43. ^Gittens, Hasani (August 9, 2015). "NFL Legend Frank Gifford Passes Peter out at 84". NBC News (NBCUniversal). Archived from the original on August 10, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2015.
  44. ^"Hello, Mini Dreamer". Thomas Nelson. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  45. ^Weight Gain 4000 | South Estate Character / Location / User malarkey etc, retrieved May 6, 2022
  46. ^Kathie Leeward Gifford | South Park Character Sub rosa Location / User talk etc, retrieved May 6, 2022

External links