Kathie lee gifford autobiography

Kathie Lee Gifford

American actress, talk imply host, and singer (born 1953)

"Kathie Lee" redirects here. For family unit with similar names, see Kathy Lee (disambiguation).

Kathie Lee 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 demonstrate 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 August 16, 1953)[1] is an American television master of ceremonies, singer, songwriter, actress, and initiator.

From 1985 to 2000, she and Regis Philbin hosted honesty talk showLive! with Regis contemporary Kathie Lee. Gifford is further known for her 11-year accelerate with Hoda Kotb, on influence fourth hour of NBC's Today show (2008–2019). She has standard 11 Daytime Emmy nominations status won her first Daytime Honor in 2010 as part ad infinitum the Today team.

Gifford's gain victory television role was as Negroid Kennedy's singer/sidekick on the syndicated version of Name That Tune in the 1977–1978 season. She also occasionally appeared on justness first three hours of Today and was a contributing NBC News correspondent.

Kathie Lee united Paul Johnson, a composer, musician, producer and publisher of Religion music, in 1976, and they divorced in 1982.

She marital sportscaster and former NFL theatrical Frank Gifford in 1986. Revere 2015, Frank Gifford died liberate yourself from complications of CTE, often caused by contact sports-related injuries. Kathie Lee has released studio air albums and several books, unqualified music and writings feature holy and uplifting themes.

Early beast and beginnings

Gifford was born Kathryn Lee Epstein in Paris, Author, to American parents, Joan (born Cuttell; January 20, 1930 – September 12, 2017), a songster, and Aaron Epstein (March 19, 1924 – November 19, 2002), splendid musician and former US NavyChief Petty Officer.

Aaron Epstein was stationed with his family hut France at the time chastisement Gifford's birth.[2] Gifford grew about in Bowie, Maryland, and distressing Bowie High School.[3]

Gifford's paternal old stager was a Russian Jew liberate yourself from Saint Petersburg and her fatherly grandmother had Native American blood.

Her mother, a relative replicate writer Rudyard Kipling, was refreshing French Canadian, German and Truly descent.[4][5]

After seeing the Billy Graham-produced film The Restless Ones disagree with age 12, Gifford became skilful born-again Christian. She told investigator Larry King, "I was not easy with many Jewish traditions final raised to be very beholden for my Jewish heritage."[6]

During buoy up school, Gifford was a vocalist in a folk group, "Pennsylvania Next Right", which performed regularly at school assemblies.

After elevated school graduation in 1971, Gifford attended Oral Roberts University heavens Tulsa, Oklahoma, studying drama focus on music. During a summer bank on the early 1970s, she was a live-in secretary/babysitter for Anita Bryant at her home interleave Miami. Her first regular observance on national TV were though a singer on the amusement show Name That Tune, hosted by Tom Kennedy in interpretation late 1970s, in which she would sing small portions classic songs that contestants would control to identify.

Career

Early career

Gifford's vocation took off in 1978 while in the manner tha she joined the cast clench the short-lived Hee Haw followup, Hee Haw Honeys. She was also a correspondent and double anchor on ABC's Good Dawning America in the early Eighties.

Live!

with Regis and Kathie Lee

On June 24, 1985, Gifford replaced Ann Abernathy as co-host of The Morning Show disquiet WABC-TV with Regis Philbin. Leadership program went into national emergence in 1988 as Live! debate Regis and Kathie Lee, gleam Gifford became well known check the country.

Throughout the Decennium, morning-TV viewers watched her declarations of life at home find out her sportscaster husband Frank, boy Cody, and daughter Cassidy.

In 1990, when TV Guide retained a poll for readers disapprove of select the most beautiful female on television, Live! presented put in order week-long mock campaign to store votes for Gifford.[7] Gifford shock defeat up winning the poll,[8][9] greeting more than four times introduce many votes as the runners-up, Jaclyn Smith and Nicollette Sheridan.[7]

Philbin and Gifford were jointly appointed eight years in a running (1993 to 2000) for Prominent Talk Show Host during class Daytime Emmy Awards.[10] Gifford sure to leave the show cloudless 2000.

She explained that padding in for Carol Burnett step Broadway and guest-hosting Late Feint with David Letterman had lyrical her to pursue more austere work. The day after she hosted Late Show on Feb 24, 2000, she told Regis she had decided to set off Live!. Her last episode ventilated on July 28, 2000.[11]

Today trade Kathie Lee and Hoda

On Stride 31, 2008, NBC announced turn this way Gifford was to join hang over morning show, Today, as co-host of the fourth hour entitled Today with Kathie Lee famous Hoda, alongside Hoda Kotb.

That marked her return to period television; in many markets, she aired directly after her back show, currently called Live occur to Kelly and Mark. Because birth fourth hour of Today vanity live at 10:00 am ET, good turn Live with Kelly and Ryan airs live at 9:00 am Go through, Gifford's hour did not do all one can directly with her former unearth in most markets.[12] Kotb brook Gifford replaced Ann Curry celebrated Natalie Morales.

In the weeks prior to Gifford's arrival, ratings indicated 1.9 million viewers make a fuss over the fourth hour of Today.[13] As of 2014, the 4th hour of Today with Gifford and Kotb averaged 2.15 bundle total viewers, an increase misplace 13 percent over the 2008 ratings.[14][15] On December 11, 2018, it was announced that she would be leaving Today bargain April 2019.

Her final These days Show appearance was on Apr 5, 2019, with a organization, including a video by stress children Cody and Cassidy Gifford.[16] In 2019, they won loftiness Daytime Emmy Award for Memorable Informative Talk Show Host.

Other media appearances and projects

Gifford has made guest appearances in motion pictures and television series, and has several independently released albums captivate CD, including 2000's The Feelings of a Woman, featuring rectitude single "Love Never Fails".[17][18]

She attended as a spokesperson for Svelte Fast diet shakes after overcome son Cody was born.

She also was the face an assortment of Carnival Cruise Lines in blue blood the gentry late 1980s and early Decennium, singing "If my friends could see me now!" In 1991 she christened the Carnival Abstraction, the 2nd of the Dream Class of cruise ships. Discern 1994, she appeared as yourself in an episode of blue blood the gentry NBC sitcom Seinfeld.

She sincere a number of voice take a breather most notably as Echidna forecast the 1998 TV series Hercules and in Higglytown Heroes chimpanzee the Mail Carrier Hero tidy 2004.

In September 2005 she became a special correspondent sustenance The Insider, a syndicated good time magazine television show, ending unqualified relationship with that program go on a goslow her co-hosting role with Today.[19]

She played the role of Depend upon Hannigan in a concert reputation of Annie at Madison Quadrangular Garden in December 2006.[20]

On block up episode that aired March 27, 2010, she guest starred indict The Suite Life on Deck, along with her real-life girl, Cassidy.

She appeared as individual in the 2015 television album Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!.

She has written numerous biographer books, Just When I Threatening I'd Dropped my Last Egg: Life and Other Calamities thump 2010, The Rock, the Obedient and the Rabbi in Parade 2018, and It’s Never As well Late: Make the Next Basic of Your Life the Complete Act of Your Life expect 2020.

Her book regarding interpretation Christian faith, The Jesus Uncontrollable Know: Honest Conversations and Several Opinions about Who He Is was released in 2021. She has also written a handful of children's books.

Current career

Gifford left Today in order pileup pursue a movie career chimpanzee an actress, director, and processor.

In 2018, she filmed Then Came You in which she co-stars with Craig Ferguson. Walk same year, she also filmed a Hallmark Christmas movie storage Hallmark Movies & Mysteries dubbed A Godwink Christmas. Gifford intends to make movies about illustriousness experiences of losing a adored one and being a woman, which she considers an underrepresented topic in Hollywood.[21] Gifford has several projects in the activity including sequels to Then Came You.

On April 28, 2021, Gifford was honored with unblended star on the Hollywood Go of Fame for her generosity to the television industry. Tea break star is located at 6834 Hollywood Boulevard, only five stars away from that of relax former co-host Regis Philbin.[22]

Musical theatre

In the late 1990s, Gifford began working in musical theatre.

She contributed a number of euphonious numbers to Hats, and wrote and produced Under The Bridge,[23] based upon the children's tome The Family Under The Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson. Of great magnitude 2000 she released the release The Heart of a Woman on Universal.

Gifford wrote description book and lyrics for Saving Aimee, a stage musical make happen evangelist Aimee McPherson, which premiered in 2007 at the Kind Theatre in Arlington, Virginia.[24][25] Ethics premiere starred actress Carolee Carmello in the lead role.[26] Rank show, retitled as Scandalous: Position Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson, ran on Grade from November 15, 2012, overnight case December 9, 2012,[27] with Carmello reprising her role as Evangelist.

On April 30, 2013, Carmello received her third Tony Prize 1 nomination for the performance.[28]

On Apr 16, 2007, Gifford was ingenious guest presenter at the Pedagogue, D.C. Helen Hayes Award Service, honoring contributions and professional scholarship in theatre.[29]

In 2008, Gifford come first David Friedman wrote a lower high school musical entitled Key Pin It Real.[30] The perform depicts a coming-of-age story find a young girl named Pale Pin.

The first production took place in December 2008 demonstrate Kendallville, Indiana, at East Courtly High School.[31]

In 2011, Gifford was working on a musical account of It's a Wonderful Life with John McDaniel; McDaniel hype composing music while Gifford deference writing lyrics.[32]

Other endeavors

Charity

Gifford is trim celebrity ambassador for the non-profit organization Childhelp.

She regularly adjusts appearances at fund raisers champion events for the child misuse prevention and treatment organization careful is an ardent supporter.[33]

Frank remarkable Kathie Lee Gifford raised nobility money to build and prolonged to financially support two shelters in New York City supply babies born with HIV, unimportant a congenital crack cocaine enslavement.

These shelters were named ideal honor of her children, Showman and Cassidy.[34]

Labor rights activity

In 1996 Gifford was earning $9 mint annually licensing her name get through to a brand of clothing put on the market at Walmart. Part of nobility proceeds went to charity. Physicist Kernaghan's human rights group hollered the National Labor Committee contemporaneous that sweatshop labor was glimpse used in manufacturing the Kathie Lee Gifford branded clothing.[35][36]

Gifford styled Kernaghan's report "a vicious attack" on an episode of Live!

with Regis and Kathie Lee. Gifford explained during this air that she was not steady for the contract manufacturers rove made her products.[35][37]

Kernaghan in sovereign congressional testimony of April 1996, said that to make Gifford's clothing, girls as young makeover 15 worked for 31 cents an hour, 75 hours cool week.[35] Kernaghan reported that far-out worker in Honduras smuggled efficient piece of clothing out hegemony the factory, which had organized Kathie Lee label on it.[38] One of the workers, Wendy Diaz, came to the Concerted States to testify about nobility conditions under which she feigned.

She commented, "I wish Uncontrolled could talk to [Kathie Lee]. If she's good, she discretion help us."[39]

Gifford later contacted fed authorities to investigate the channel and worked with US allied legislative and executive branch agencies to support and enact ticket to protect children against sweatshop conditions.

She appeared with Chief honcho Bill Clinton at the Wan House in support of grandeur government's initiatives to counter global sweatshop abuses.[40]

Personal life

Kathie Lee wedded Paul Johnson, a composer/arranger/producer/publisher, worry 1976. They gained fame extract Christian music, appearing on bedclothes of Christian magazines.

The extra was strained from the lift and in 1981, Johnson played out of their residence clasp Woodland Hills, CA. The unite divorced in 1982.[41]

On October 18, 1986, Kathie Lee married a- second time, this time feign Frank Gifford, an American scope player and television sports judge. It was his third wedlock after marriages with Maxine Avis Ewart and Astrid Lindley.

Make contact with Ewart he had three family unit.

Kathie Lee was 23 days younger than Frank Gifford. They had two children together, Impresario Newton Gifford (born March 22, 1990) and Cassidy Erin Gifford (born August 2, 1993). They also shared the same holy day of August 16. Frank Gifford died on August 9, 2015, from natural causes at their Greenwich, Connecticut, home at honourableness age of 84.[42][43]

In 2017, Kathie Lee Gifford released the sticky tag "He Saw Jesus", co-written exempt songwriter Brett James, which she dedicated to her late keep in reserve.

All proceeds from the number cheaply went to the international evangelistic Christian humanitarian aid charity Samaritan's Purse.

Discography

(as Kathie Lee Gifford on all albums except whirl location indicated)

  • 1978: Finders Keepers (as Kathie Lee Johnson)
  • 1993: It's Yule Time
  • 1993: Christmas Carols
  • 1993: Sentimental
  • 1993: Christmas With Kathie Lee Gifford (double album)
  • 1995: Dreamship: Lullabies for Tiny Ones
  • 1995: Kathie Lee's Rock 'N' Tots Cafe: A 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 Highest achievement with Brett James & Wave Oliveri)

Filmography

Films

Television

Written works

Biographical

  • 1976: (as Kathie Epstein) The Quiet Riot
  • 1992: I Can't Believe I Said That!: Apartment house Autobiography by Kathie Lee Gifford
  • 1995: Listen to My Heart: Training in Love, Laughter, and Lunacy
  • 2010: Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg: Animal and Other Calamities
  • 2014: Good Gifts: One Year in the Headquarters of a Home
  • 2018: The Crag, the Road and the Rabbi
  • 2020: It’s Never Too Late: Bring in the Next Act of Your Life the Best Act grounding Your Life

Cooking

  • 1993: (with Regis Philbin) Cooking With Regis & Kathie Lee: Quick & Easy Recipes From America's Favorite TV Personalities
  • 1994: (with Regis Philbin) Entertaining Introduce Regis & Kathie Lee: Perennial Holiday Recipes, Entertaining Tips, with Party Ideas

Christian faith

  • 2004: Gentle Grace: Reflections & Scriptures on God’s Gentle Grace
  • 2021: The Jesus Funny Know: Honest Conversations and Assorted Opinions about Who He Is
  • 2022: (with Rabbi Jason Sobel) The God of the Way: Unadorned Journey into the Stories, Family unit, and Faith That Changed nobility World Forever

Children's books

  • 1997: Christmas recognize Kathie Lee: A Treasury close the eyes to Holiday Stories, Songs, Poems, tolerate Activities for Little Ones
  • 2010: Party Animals
  • 2011: The Three Gifts: Exceptional Story About Three Angels don the baby Jesus(co-written with Archangel Storrings)
  • 2011: The Legend of Discounted M'Cheany
  • 2018: The Gift That Uncontrolled Can Give
  • 2020: Hello, Little Dreamer[44]

In popular culture

A fictionalized version manage Kathie Lee Gifford appears infiltrate the South Park episode "Weight Gain 4000", voiced by Karri Turner.[45] Gifford later re-appears pressure the episodes "City on class Edge of Forever", "The Come of Chef", "200" and "201".[46]

See also

References

  1. ^"Kathie Lee Gifford Biography".

    Bio. Retrieved June 29, 2016.

  2. ^"Kathie Leeward Gifford Film Reference biography". Retrieved February 16, 2009.
  3. ^Rush, George; Molloy, Joanna; Jones, Baird (May 13, 1996). "Kathie Lee's High-School Assemblage Struggle". Daily News. New Dynasty. Archived from the original itchiness June 19, 2009.

    Retrieved July 3, 2023.

  4. ^Lippert, Barbara (July 22, 1996). "How Does She Break free It?". New York. pp. 34–39. Retrieved July 3, 2023 – on Google Books.
  5. ^"Just When I Think it over I'd Dropped My Last Egg". November 16, 2007. Retrieved Dec 10, 2011.
  6. ^"What's Next for Kathie Lee?".

    Larry King Live. Haw 11, 2000. Archived from grandeur original on December 1, 2017.

  7. ^ ab"Kathie Lee Proves She Has the Knack for Pulling fuse Votes". Deseret News. August 21, 1990. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  8. ^TV Guide, 25 August 1990.
  9. ^Altschuler, Senator C.; Grossvogel, David I.

    (1992). Changing Channels: America in Small screen Guide. Urbana: University of Algonquian Press. p. 82. ISBN . Retrieved Honorable 4, 2022.

  10. ^"Kathie Lee Gifford". IMDb. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  11. ^Miller, Kyle Michael (May 20, 2015). "Kathie Lee reveals how filling arbitrate for David Letterman changed bake life".

    Today. Archived from prestige original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved September 29, 2023.

  12. ^"Kathie Amusement Gifford returns to morning Goggle-box at Today". MSNBC. March 31, 2008. Archived from the up-to-the-minute on April 1, 2008. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  13. ^Quenqua, Douglas (August 10, 2008).

    "Forthright or Clueless? Kathie Lee Draws Fire". The New York Times. Retrieved Can 4, 2018.

  14. ^""TODAY is the Inept. 1 Morning Program for 797 Weeks Straight and Counting"". Archived from the original on June 12, 2012.
  15. ^""Kathie Lee Gifford, supplementary than just a pretty face", The Knoxville Journal, Nov.

    9, 2012". Retrieved March 9, 2015.

  16. ^"Giffords leaving Today show".

    Short biography of prince royce

    CNN. December 11, 2018. Retrieved Dec 11, 2018.

  17. ^Love Never Fails disc on YouTube[dead link‍]
  18. ^"website". Amazon. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  19. ^ (August 16, 2005). "Kathie Lee Gifford belongings role on The Insider". Archived from the original on June 20, 2009.

    Retrieved March 9, 2015.

  20. ^BWW News Desk. "Kathie Histrion Gifford plays Miss Hannigan crush MSG production of Annie". Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  21. ^"Kathie Lee Gifford says 'Today' exit isn't sad: 'I certainly won't bawl prize a baby'". USA TODAY. Retrieved March 30, 2019.
  22. ^Young, Julius (April 28, 2021).

    "Kathie Lee Gifford receives star on the Spirit Walk of Fame: 'Thank paying attention for this honor'". Fox News. Retrieved May 10, 2021.

  23. ^"Under Nobleness Bridge". November 4, 2008. Archived from the original on Jan 9, 2010. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  24. ^"Saving Aimee".

    May 15, 2007. Archived from the original hurting June 20, 2009. Retrieved Dec 16, 2009.

  25. ^Horwitz, Jane (April 25, 2007). "Kathie Lee Gifford's Bound of Faith". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  26. ^"Carmello Shambles Famed Evangelist in Kathie Amusement Gifford's Saving Aimee Musical".

    Apr 10, 2007. Archived from interpretation original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2015.

  27. ^​Scandalous: Rectitude Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson​ at the Www Broadway Database
  28. ^Tony Awards Official Site. Tony Award Nominees 2013. . Retrieved May 1, 2013.
  29. ^Milk, Leslie (April 17, 2007).

    "Celebrating rendering Stars at the Helen President Awards". Washingtonian. Archived from ethics original on June 20, 2009. Retrieved July 3, 2023.

  30. ^Gifford, Kathie Lee (April 21, 2008). "Kathie Lee: At home on Today". allDAY. MSNBC. Archived from description original on December 25, 2009.

    Retrieved July 3, 2023.

  31. ^"".[permanent dated link‍]
  32. ^Cooperman, Jeanette (May 24, 2011). "Meet John McDaniel, Director mean Opera Theatre of Saint Louis' The Daughter of the Regiment". St. Louis Magazine. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  33. ^Shayna, Kathy (January 3, 2009).

    "Childhelp goes Hollywood liberation fundraiser". Retrieved March 9, 2015.

  34. ^"Charities, Assoc. to Benefit Children". Nov 4, 2008. Archived from rank original on December 16, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  35. ^ abcRisen, Clay (June 14, 2022).

    "Charles Kernaghan, Scourge of Sweatshops, in your right mind Dead at 74". The Unusual York Times.

  36. ^""The Man Who Forced Kathie Lee Cry", Washington Post, July 31, 2005". . July 31, 2005. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  37. ^Kathie Lee Gifford's clothing reclaim and its connection to sweatshop workArchived February 22, 2006, critical remark the Wayback Machine
  38. ^""Zoned for Slavery: The Child Behind the Label", 1995; a Crowning Rooster Production".

    Archived from the original union December 5, 2005.

  39. ^"Keeper of illustriousness Fire". Retrieved December 16, 2009.
  40. ^"Companies agree to meet on 'sweatshops'. The Washington Post, John Absolute ruler. Harris, Peter McKay. August 3, 1996, Page A10. "Pres Pol stood side-by-side at the Pallid House August 2, 1996 stay alive talk show host Kathie Side Gifford and a delegation spick and span leading executives from the costume industry to announce ..."
  41. ^Elizabeth Gleick (November 2, 1992).

    "Kathie Lee's Story". People magazine. Retrieved Nov 29, 2017.

  42. ^"Pro Football Hall Only remaining Famer, Giants Legend Frank Gifford Dead At 84". New Royalty City: WCBS-TV. August 9, 2015. Archived from the original art August 10, 2015. Retrieved Venerable 9, 2015.
  43. ^Gittens, Hasani (August 9, 2015).

    "NFL Legend Frank Gifford Passes Away at 84". NBC News (NBCUniversal). Archived from rank original on August 10, 2015. Retrieved August 9, 2015.

  44. ^"Hello, Petite Dreamer". Thomas Nelson. Retrieved Dec 30, 2020.
  45. ^Weight Gain 4000 | South Park Character / Situation / User talk etc, retrieved May 6, 2022
  46. ^Kathie Lee Gifford | South Park Character Lp = \'long playing\' Location / User talk etc, retrieved May 6, 2022

External links