Kathie Lee Gifford (born August 16, 1953) is an American television personality, singer, author and actress whose career has spanned late‑20th and early‑21st century daytime television and entertainment. She first rose to national visibility as a singer and on‑air sidekick, later becoming widely known for co‑hosting national talk shows and for her work as a recording artist and author.
Early career and breakthrough
Gifford’s first steady television role was as the singer and sidekick on the panel game Name That Tune (1974–1978), where she gained experience in live TV and musical performance. She continued to combine singing and acting appearances throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, building a profile that led to more prominent hosting opportunities.
Television success and style
Her major breakthrough came when she co‑hosted Live with Regis and Kathie Lee beginning in 1985. The show paired her conversational, warm on‑air manner with Regis Philbin’s improvisational hosting and became a staple of American daytime television. She later joined NBC as co‑host of the fourth hour of Today, where her blend of personal anecdotes, interviews and lifestyle segments reached a broad morning audience. Gifford has received multiple Daytime Emmy nominations and was part of the Today Show cast that won a Daytime Emmy in 2010.
Music, writing and other projects
Alongside television, Gifford has maintained a career in music and publishing. She has recorded albums, including material with a contemporary Christian emphasis, and authored several books and columns aimed at lifestyle, faith and family audiences. She has also appeared in advertising campaigns and has been a long‑standing pitch figure for cruise and lifestyle brands, including work in commercials dating back to the 1980s.
Philanthropy, public life and controversies
Gifford’s public life includes charitable activities and advocacy consistent with her faith‑based profile. Over the years she has supported causes related to children and families. She has also faced public scrutiny at times, including controversy in the late 1990s tied to labor practices associated with a clothing line, a matter that drew media attention and prompted responses from her and her business partners.
Legacy and context
Known for a congenial, conversational hosting style and a crossover career that spans television, music and publishing, Kathie Lee Gifford remains a recognizable figure in American daytime media. Her long tenure on nationally syndicated programs and her visibility in entertainment and advertising have made her a benchmark for later daytime hosts. For more on her career and current projects, see her official page and biographical profiles: official site, biography and credits, career highlights and interviews and media.