Kathie Lee Gifford

Kathie Lee Gifford's career in television began in 1977 with her first role on the syndicated version of "Name That Tune." For 15 years, she co-hosted "Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee" and later, from 2008 to 2019, she co-hosted "Today with Kathie Lee and Hoda." In 2010, she won her first Daytime Emmy as part of the "Today" team, and in 2019, she shared the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host with Hoda Kotb. Gifford's final appearance on the "Today Show" was commemorated with a party and a special video tribute from her children on April 5, 2019.

Beyond her television career, Gifford has made substantial contributions to the musical theatre, film, and music industries. She has authored books and released music albums with spiritual and uplifting themes. In 2012, she wrote the book and lyrics for the Broadway musical "Scandalous: The Life and Trials of Aimee Semple McPherson," earning Carolee Carmello a Tony Award nomination in 2013. Gifford also ventured into movie production, acting, directing, and producing films like "Then Came You" and the Hallmark Christmas movie "A Godwink Christmas," with sequels to "Then Came You" currently in progress.

Gifford's contributions to the television industry were recognized on April 28, 2021, when she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is also a celebrity ambassador for Childhelp, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing and treating child abuse. In the 1990s, Gifford worked with federal authorities to address issues of sweatshop labor in the production of her clothing line, actively supporting laws protecting children against sweatshop conditions. She even appeared alongside President Bill Clinton at the White House to back initiatives against international sweatshop abuses.