Kathie Lee Gifford | |
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![]() Gifford in 2020 | |
Born | Kathryn Lee Epstein August 16, 1953 Paris, France |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Oral Roberts University |
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Years active | 1970-present |
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Children |
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Website | www |
Kathryn Lee Gifford (née Epstein; born August 16, 1953)[1] is an American television presenter, singer, songwriter, actress, and author. From 1985 to 2000, she and Regis Philbin hosted the talk show Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee. Gifford is also known for her 11-year run with Hoda Kotb, on the fourth hour of NBC's Today show (2008–2019). She has received 11 Daytime Emmy nominations and won her first Daytime Emmy in 2010 as part of the Today team.
Gifford's first television role was as Tom Kennedy's singer/sidekick on the syndicated version of Name That Tune in the 1977–1978 season. She also occasionally appeared on the first three hours of Today and was a contributing NBC News correspondent.
Kathie Lee married Paul Johnson, a composer, arranger, producer and publisher of Christian music, in 1976, and they divorced in 1982. She married sportscaster and former versatile NFL player Frank Gifford in 1986. In 2015, Frank Gifford died from complications of CTE, often caused by contact sports-related injuries. Kathie Lee has released studio music albums and several books, her music and writings feature spiritual and uplifting themes.