Kathie Lee Gifford (born Kathryn Lee Epstein on August 16, 1953) is an American television host, singer, actress and playwright, famous for her 15-year run on the television talk show Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, which she co-hosted with Regis Philbin. She has received 11 Emmy nominations.
Studied drama and music at Oral Roberts University.
Was accused of running Honduras sweatshops in 1996, related to her clothing line.
(March 2000) Threatened to sue the National Enquirer for articles printed about her children.
She was born the same year as Frank Gifford's oldest son, Jeff.
Named Maryland Junior Miss at age 17.
Has homes in Greenwich, CT; Key Largo, FL; Nantucket, MA; and a ski condo in Colorado.
Was a high school cheerleader.
Born at 11:30pm-CET
Has two children: Cody Gifford (b.1990) and Cassidy Gifford (b.1993).
Attended high school in Bowie, MD.
Tried out for the part of Tiffany Welles on "Charlie's Angels" (1976) and was told she wasn't pretty enough. Shelley Hack got the part and was later replaced because she wasn't a good enough actress.
Dropped out of Oral Roberts University during her junior year with no plans to finish.
Named her dog, Regis, after her famous former co-star, Regis Philbin.
Has released several Christian music albums over the years. 2000's The Heart of a Woman was her first pop release.
Releases her albums on her own label, Lamb Records. Her two most recent albums are Goodnight, Angel and Party Animals.
Her brother is Rev. David Paul Epstein, pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Manhattan (catty-corner from Carnegie Hall).
Mrs. Gifford's father, Aaron Leon Epstein, died on November 19, 2002. He had been terminally ill for the past few years, and his illness was one of the reasons Mrs. Gifford decided to leave "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee" (1989) in 2000, after more than a decade as host.
Mrs. Gifford's dog Chardonnay, a white poodle given to her by husband Frank in 1988, was found dead from a coyote attack on January 28, 2003.
Measurements: 35C/D-24 1/2-35 (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
Worked for a time as Anita Bryant's assistant.
She was the main topic of a 'South Park' episode from Season 1 called 'Weight Gain 4000'.
