Biography
American entertainer,
writer, and delightful TV show co-host, described as an “unabashed
optimist.” She is the wife of Frank Gifford, noted athlete and football
commentator.
Born in France to a naval officer and his wife, she and her two siblings
were raised in a loving family with solid Christian values and a love of
music. Her family moved back to the US when she was four. At age 12 she
had a religious awakening, and her faith as a Christian was
strengthened, a faith that sustains her today.
In 1971, she won a beauty pageant, and the following year was given a
full scholarship to Oral Roberts University in Tulsa as one of Oral's
World Action Singers. In 1976, she did her first commercial, for Knott's
Berry Farm. She landed a regular role as a gospel singer on CBS's faith
healing show, "I Believe in Miracles," and a recurring bit part on "Days
of Our Lives" soap opera. Kathy Lee did her first gospel album in 1976
with Paul Johnson, whom she married that year. She sang on the gospel
circuit and by 1981-82, began appearing on "A.M. Los Angeles" as a guest
host. She and Johnson separated after six years together and divorced in
1983. Regis Philbin welcomed Kathy Lee to co-host his show in 1985 and
by 1988, the show entered first-run syndication as "Live with Regis and
Kathy Lee."
Her second marriage was to sportscaster Frank Gifford in 1986 and they
have two children, son Cody born in 1990 and daughter Cassidy on August
2, 1993. A third pregnancy ended in miscarriage in August 1992.
Her professional career has had ups and downs. She’s had great
popularity for her TV morning show series and great success as
spokesperson for a cruise line and as businessperson in the fashion
industry. However, in the mid- and late '90s, after an exposé claimed
that her clothing line used underpaid labor in sweatshops, she endured
bad publicity and public scorn despite her denial that she had any
knowledge of the practice. She suffered further hurt and unwanted
publicity after her husband was accused of having an affair with an
airline attendant, a scandal that was crowed about in the gossip rags
when it headlined on May 13, 1997.
Gifford’s creative talents have many outlets. In addition to recording
her own music, Gifford is the author of two autobiographies, scripts and
songs for musical theatre and a noted series of children's books and
videos. Her first book was a spiritual diary published in 1976, "The
Quiet Riot" and her autobiography was released in 1992, "I Can't Believe
I Said That." She is also active in children's charities, originating
and helping to maintain a home for children called "Cody's House." To
counter the negative criticism she received over her clothing line, she
has been a spokesperson for better treatment of workers in overseas
manufacturing. In January 1997, the singer/talk show host/ clothier/
cruise line pitchwoman/ writer signed a five-figure deal with Random
House Children's Publishers to pen five kiddies books based on her Rock
and Tots videos. She and her husband filed a libel suit against the
tabloid "National Enquirer" on April 6, 2000 over an article claiming
their son Cody was behaving badly on several occasions.
Throughout the ordeals of heavy criticism, negative publicity and having
her life subject to public scrutiny, Kathie Lee has maintained a quiet
calm, riding through all her adversity with dignity. After 15 years
together with Regis Philbin on "Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee," she
stepped away, leaving the show on July 28, 2000. She is happy to have
more time to devote to her family, her causes, and her creative works.
She periodically appears as a guest on TV and radio shows. In 2005 she
became a correspondent for the entertainment TV show, “The Insider.”
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