Jayne Kennedy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jayne Kennedy
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Kennedy in 1980
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| Born |
Jayne Harrison
October 27, 1951 Wickliffe, Ohio, U.S.
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| Other names | Jayne Overton |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1969–1990 |
| Title |
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| Term | 1970–1971 |
| Predecessor | Marlynn Singleton |
| Successor | Karen M. Haus |
| Spouse(s) |
Bill Overton
(m. 1985) |
| Children | 4 |
| Awards | NAACP Image Award – (1982) Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture (Body and Soul) |
Jayne Kennedy Overton (born October 27, 1951) is a talented American woman who has worked in many different fields. She is known as a television personality, actress, model, and sports broadcaster. She has also been a producer, writer, and speaker, and she helps many charities.
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About Jayne Kennedy's Life
Jayne Kennedy was born Jayne Gill Harrison in Wickliffe, Ohio. She was one of six children. Her parents, Herbert and Virginia Harrison, taught their children to "aim high" and "give God most of the credit." They also taught them to handle disappointments quietly and avoid being mean to others.
In high school, Jayne was a cheerleader and a member of the National Honor Society. She was also the vice-president of her sophomore class and the president of her junior class.
A year after finishing high school, Jayne met Leon Isaac Kennedy. He was a DJ and an aspiring writer and actor. They got married in 1971. Famous singer Smokey Robinson was the best man at their wedding. They later divorced in 1982.
In May 1985, Jayne married actor Bill Overton in Bermuda. It was a small wedding, and both their parents attended. Jayne and Bill have four children. Bill's daughter Cheyenne was born in 1982. Their three daughters are Savannah Re (born 1985), Kopper Joi (born 1989), and Zaire Ollyea (born 1995). Jayne and Bill celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in May 2020.
Jayne Kennedy's Career Highlights
Becoming Miss Ohio USA
In 1970, Jayne Kennedy was crowned Miss Ohio USA. She then competed in the Miss USA 1970 pageant, where she placed in the top ten.
Early Television Roles
In 1971, Jayne began her television career as a dancer on "Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In." She also performed with Bob Hope on his Christmas tour for military bases around the world. This led to her spending three years as a singer and dancer on "The Dean Martin Show."
Throughout the 1970s, Jayne appeared as a guest on many popular TV shows. These included The Six Million Dollar Man, Sanford and Son, and Starsky & Hutch. She also appeared in many commercials for companies like Foster Grant, Chrysler Corporation, and McDonald's. In 1977, she played a main role in the film Big Time. The movie's music was created by its producer, Smokey Robinson.
Breaking Barriers in Sports Broadcasting
In 1978, Jayne Kennedy made history by joining The NFL Today on CBS. She replaced Phyllis George as an anchor on the show. After a disagreement with the network, she hosted a show called Speak Up, America in 1980.
Awards and Recognition
Jayne won an Emmy Award in 1982 for her work hosting the Rose Bowl. This is a very important college football game.
In 1982, she also won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture. This award was for her role as Julie Winters in the 1981 film Body and Soul. Her husband at the time, Leon Isaac Kennedy, also starred in the movie.
Hosting and Fitness
After The NFL Today, Jayne hosted the TV show Greatest Sports Legends starting in 1982. On this show, she interviewed famous athletes like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Johnny Unitas.
In the mid-1980s, Jayne appeared in TV commercials for The Coca-Cola Company’s Tab soft drink and Jovan Musk perfume. She also released her own exercise video called "Love Your Body." In the video, she encouraged people to "establish a positive belief in yourself" and "love your body for what it is."
Producing and Philanthropy
In 1990, Jayne and Bill Overton produced a show called The Journey of the African American. It was performed in Atlanta and ran for 30 weeks in Los Angeles.
Jayne has also supported many charities over the years. She has made appearances and given speeches to help raise money and awareness. In 1986, she co-hosted "The Lou Rawls Parade of Stars," which raised $10 million for The United Negro College Fund. She was a main speaker at the Evanston Martin Luther King celebration in 1987. In 1988, she became the national spokesperson for The National Council of Negro Women. She spoke at their Black Family Reunion Celebration events across the country. In 1990, she was a speaker at the 12th Annual Freedom Fund Dinner in Columbia, South Carolina.
Selected Film and TV Roles
Here are some of the movies and TV shows Jayne Kennedy has appeared in:
Film
- 1973: Group Marriage as Judy
- 1975: Let's Do It Again as Girl at Factory
- 1976: The Muthers as Serena
- 1977: Big Time as Shana Baynes
- 1978: Death Force (also known as Fighting Mad) as Maria Russell
- 1981: Body and Soul as Julie Winters (NAACP Image Award: Best Actress)
Television
- 1973: Ironside as Maylene (Episode: "The Last Payment")
- 1974: Banacek as Girl Demonstrator (Episode: "Rocket to Oblivion")
- 1974: Sanford and Son as Brenda (Episode: "There'll Be Some Changes Made")
- 1975: The Six Million Dollar Man as Louise (Episode: "The Song and Dance Spy")
- 1976: The Rockford Files as Janice (Episode: "Foul on the First Play")
- 1977: The New Adventures of Wonder Woman as Carolyn Hamilton (Episode: "Knockout")
- 1977: Police Woman as Cora (Episode: "The Inside Connection")
- 1978-1980: The NFL Today – Reporter (NFL pre-game show)
- 1979: Mysterious Island of Beautiful Women as Chocolate (TV movie)
- 1980: CHiPs as Pat Blake (Episode: "Kidnap")
- 1981: CHiPs as Paula Woods (Episode: "Mitchell and Woods")
- 1981: The Love Boat as Kelsey (Episodes: "This Year's Model/The Model Marriage/Vogue Rogue/Too Clothes for Comfort/Original Sin", Parts 1 & 2)
- 1983: The Love Boat as Kate Langley (Episode: "The Zinging Valentine/The Very Temporary Secretary/Final Score")
- 1983: Diff'rent Strokes as Mrs. Jenkins (Episode: "The Moonlighter")
- 1984: Benson as Elizabeth Burnett (Episode: "Let's Get Physical")
- 1986: Benson as Elizabeth Burnett (Episode: "Three on a Mismatch")
- 1986: 227 as Betty Mumphrey (Episode: "Washington Affair")
- 2024: You Are Looking Live! as herself, a documentary about The NFL Today
See also
In Spanish: Jayne Kennedy para niños
