- Born
- Birth nameKathryn Lee Epstein
- Nicknames
- KLG
- Kathie Lee
- Height1.65 m
- Kathie Lee Gifford was the co-host of the fourth hour of "TODAY," alongside Hoda Kotb from 2008 until April 5th, 2019. The Gifford-Kotb hour had been hailed as appointment television by Entertainment Weekly, and "TODAY's happy hour" by USA Today. In 2014, Gifford penned the critically acclaimed "TODAY, the Musical," featuring the hosts and crew of the show, and each month she had written a new song for the popular segment, Everyone Has a Story. She was inducted into the Broadcast & Cable Hall of Fame in 2015. Prior to NBC News, Gifford served as the co-host of "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" for 15 years, where she received 11 Emmy nominations. She was also a correspondent for "Good Morning America" for three years. A playwright, producer, singer, songwriter and actress, Gifford has starred in numerous television programs and movies in her 40-year career. She has her own record label and has written several musicals including Broadway's SCANDALOUS, which received a Tony nomination for Best Actress in 2012. Gifford also starred on Broadway in "Putting it Together" and "Annie." Gifford authored four NY Times bestselling books including "Just When I Thought I'd Dropped My Last Egg," "I Can't Believe I Said That," "The Rock, The Road and the Rabbi", and the popular children's book "Party Animals." She recently co-wrote and recorded "He Saw Jesus", "Jesus is His Name" and "Love Me to Death." She also launched GIFFT, a line of wine with the Scheid Family Vineyards in Monterey, CA. Most recently she had her directorial debut for the short film, THE GOD WHO SEES, featuring Nicole C. Mullen. The duo co-wrote the music in the film. Gifford lends support to numerous children's organizations including Childhelp and the Association to Benefit Children, which spawned Cassidy's Place and Cody House, named after her two children. A devoted humanitarian, she received an honorary degree from Marymount University for her humanitarian work in labor relations. Gifford is on Twitter and Instagram @KathieLGifford.- IMDb mini biography by: CHRISTINE GARDNER
- SpousesFrank Gifford(October 18, 1986 - August 9, 2015) (his death, 2 children)Paul Johnson(April 23, 1976 - May 26, 1983) (divorced)
- Children
- ParentsAaron Leon EpsteinJoan Epstein (Cuttell)
- RelativesFinn Thomas Wierda(Grandchild)Frank Michael Gifford(Grandchild)Rosie Mae Wierda(Grandchild)
- Named her dog, Regis, after her famous former co-star, Regis Philbin.
- She was born the same year as Frank Gifford's oldest son, Jeff Gifford.
- Dropped out of Oral Roberts University, during her junior year, with no plans to finish.
- Attended Bowie High School in Bowie, Maryland; was a high school cheerleader.
- Studied drama and music at Oral Roberts University.
- Yes, Frank hurt me deeply, but my kids have a wonderful father and they deserve a family. about her husband Frank Gifford's extramarital affair.
- "I've changed it 50 times. You show me a woman who hasn't, except for Janet Reno" - about coloring her hair.
- Ridiculous! It's extremely cold in our studio, so you could be wearing a steel harness and you'd still have a little action, if you know what I mean. I do not like industrial-strength push-up bras. I wear very flimsy things. Besides, what 46-year old woman who's nursed two kids goes braless? - about rumors that she goes on the air braless
- I change my hairstyle every day for the show, I'm fastidious and vain about my nails and teeth and grooming and makeup, but a perfect body, forget it. Dust to dust, wuggies to wuggies.
- Mrs. Gifford on what she does first thing in the morning: "Brush my teeth and say good morning to the picture of my Daddy sitting next to my sink."
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