Nisha Rathode (Editor)

Jayne Kennedy

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Full Name
  
Jayne Harrison

Years active
  
1969-90

Nationality
  
American

Name
  
Jayne Kennedy

Role
  
Television actress

Occupation
  
Actress, sportscaster


Jayne Kennedy httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommonsaa

Born
  
October 27, 1951 (age 72) (
1951-10-27
)
Washington, D.C., U.S.

Spouse
  
Bill Overton (m. 1985), Leon Isaac Kennedy (m. 1970–1982)

Children
  
Savannah Re Overton, Cheyenne Overton, Kopper Joi Overton, Zaire Ollyea Overton

Parents
  
Virginia Harrison, Herbert Harrison

Movies and TV shows
  
The NFL Today, Body and Soul, The Muthers, Death Force, Mysterious Island Of Beautiful

Similar People
  
Leon Isaac Kennedy, Bill Overton, Freda Payne, Kathleen Bradley, Cirio H Santiago

Profiles


Other names
  
Jayne Kennedy Overton

Jayne kennedy


Jayne Kennedy Overton (née Harrison; October 27, 1951) is an American television personality, actress, model, corporate spokeswoman, producer, writer, public speaker, philanthropist, beauty pageant titleholder and sports broadcaster. Kennedy won a 1982 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture award for her performance as Julie Winters in the 1981 film Body and Soul co-starring alongside her then–husband Leon Isaac Kennedy.

Contents

Jayne Kennedy Jayne Kennedy Beautiful and HistoryMaking MosaMuse

Kennedy won the NAACP Theater Award for Best Producer along with her current husband Bill Overton for their production of the highly acclaimed staged musical, The Journey of the African American. Kennedy is also an Emmy Award winner for her coverage of the Rose Parade and was nominated for an Emmy for her coverage of the news feature on soldiers on the DMZ in South Korea for NBC’s Speak Up America in 1980. Ebony Magazine announced as "One of the 20 Greatest Sex Symbols of the 20th Century," and in the 1980s, Coca Cola USA named Jayne Kennedy "The Most Admired Black Woman in America".

Jayne Kennedy Jayne Kennedy ActressSportscaster Then amp Now

Jayne kennedy on lady charmaine live


Early life

Jayne Kennedy Jayne Kennedy Popstarr Fansite

Born Jayne Harrison in Washington, D.C., to machinist Herbert Harrison and his wife, Virginia. Kennedy attended Wickliffe High School in Wickliffe, Ohio. She represented Wickliffe High School at the American Legion’s Girls State mock-government program and was elected as a senator to the American Legion’s Girls Nation program in Washington D.C. where she won the office of Vice President of the United States and was sworn into office by then VP Spiro T. Agnew. While still in high school, Kennedy was crowned Miss Ohio USA in 1970 (she was the first African American woman to win the title), and was one of the 15 semi–finalists in the 1970 Miss USA Pageant. It was rare for an African American woman at that time to be in the contest..

Career

Jayne Kennedy Whatever Happened to Jayne Kennedy ReelRundown

In 1971, Jayne and her then-husband Leon Isaac Kennedy moved to California to pursue careers in acting. She began with a stint on Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In as a dancer, traveled as one of the Hollywood Deb Stars on Bob Hope’s Bases Around The World Christmas Tour in Vietnam, Thailand, Cuba, etc. She then won a spot of one of The Dean Martin Show’s Ding-A-Ling Sisters for three years, performing in night clubs all over the USA as a singer/dancer. In 1978, she won national acclaim as one of the first women to infiltrate the male-dominated world of sports announcing with a place on The NFL Today. She went on to be the only female to ever host the syndicated TV series Greatest Sports Legends. She has been on the covers of Ebony, Jet, and Essence magazines numerous times. In the early 1980s she wrote, produced and starred in the "Love your Body" exercise videos and produced the first in-flight exercise in the sky program for American Airlines, A Aerobics, at the same time, she also had worked as a corporate spokeswoman for Esoterica, Jovan, Revlon, Fashion Fair Cosmetics, Bankers Systems, Butterick Patterns and 6 years with Coca-Cola's Tab and Diet Coke. Since the 1990s, Kennedy has remained busy away from the limelight, spending more time with her family. With four daughters, she has been a huge advocate for equality in sports for women and girls. For many years, she worked for the Children's Miracle Network, where she assisted in raising billions of dollars for Children's Hospitals along with Marie Osmond, John Schneider, Marilyn McCoo, Bob Hope, and Rich Little.

Personal life

Jayne Kennedy Whatever Happened to Jayne Kennedy ReelRundown

A year after high school, she met Leon Isaac Kennedy, who was a DJ and a struggling actor/writer. They married in 1971. Motown singer/songwriter Smokey Robinson served as best man at their wedding, they later divorced in 1982. In 1985, Kennedy married actor Bill Overton. They have four children: his daughter Cheyenne (1982) and their three daughters Savannah Re (b. November 20, 1985), Kopper Joi (b. May 17, 1989) and Zaire Ollyea (b. September 15, 1995).


Jayne Kennedy Jayne Harrison KennedyOverton Actress Beauty Queen and

Jayne Kennedy Jayne Kennedy Jayne Kennedy Pinterest Girl crushes and Actresses

Jayne Kennedy Whatever Happened to Jayne Kennedy ReelRundown

Jayne Kennedy Little Known Black History Fact Jayne Kennedy Black America Web

Filmography

Actress
1993
Night Trap as
Face in the Fire
1988
Throb (TV Series) as
Mary Rodgers
- Mary Heartless (1988) - Mary Rodgers (as Jayne Kennedy-Overton)
1986
227 (TV Series) as
Betty Mumphry
- Washington Affair (1986) - Betty Mumphry
1984
Benson (TV Series) as
Elizabeth Burnett
- Three on a Mismatch (1986) - Elizabeth Burnett
- Let's Get Physical (1984) - Elizabeth Burnett
1983
Diff'rent Strokes (TV Series) as
Mrs. Jenkins
- The Moonlighter (1983) - Mrs. Jenkins
1981
The Love Boat (TV Series) as
Kelsey / Kate Langley
- The Zinging Valentine/The Very Temporary Secretary/Final Score (1983) - Kate Langley
- This Year's Model/The Model Marriage/Vogue Rogue/Too Clothes for Comfort/Original Sin: Part 2 (1981) - Kelsey
- This Year's Model/The Model Marriage/Vogue Rogue/Too Clothes for Comfort/Original Sin: Part 1 (1981) - Kelsey
1980
CHiPs (TV Series) as
Paula Woods / Pat Blake
- Mitchell & Woods (1981) - Paula Woods
- Kidnap (1980) - Pat Blake
1981
Body and Soul as
Julie Winters
1981
Ms .45 as
Seamstress
1979
Mysterious Island of Beautiful Women (TV Movie) as
Chocolate
1979
Trapper John, M.D. (TV Series) as
Linda
- Deadly Exposure (1979) - Linda
1978
Fighting Mad as
Maria Russell
1977
Police Woman (TV Series) as
Cora
- The Inside Connection (1977) - Cora
1977
Wonder Woman (TV Series) as
Carolyn Hamilton
- Knockout (1977) - Carolyn Hamilton
1977
Police Story (TV Series) as
Sgt. Janice Wesley
- Trigger Point (1977) - Sgt. Janice Wesley
1977
Big Time as
Shana Baynes
1977
Cover Girls (TV Movie) as
Monique Lawrence
1975
Starsky and Hutch (TV Series) as
Gretchen Hollander / Diane Sills
- The Las Vegas Strangler, Part 1 (1976) - Gretchen Hollander
- Savage Sunday (1975) - Diane Sills (uncredited)
1976
The Muthers as
Serena
1976
The Rockford Files (TV Series) as
Janice
- Foul on the First Play (1976) - Janice
1975
Let's Do It Again as
Girl at Factory
1975
The Six Million Dollar Man (TV Series) as
Louise
- The Song and Dance Spy (1975) - Louise
1975
That's My Mama (TV Series) as
Girl #3
- The Hero (1975) - Girl #3
1974
Sanford and Son (TV Series) as
Brenda
- There'll Be Some Changes Made (1974) - Brenda
1974
Banacek (TV Series) as
Girl Demonstrator
- Rocket to Oblivion (1974) - Girl Demonstrator
1974
Kojak (TV Series) as
Tour Guide
- Die Before They Wake (1974) - Tour Guide
1973
Ironside (TV Series) as
Maylene
- The Last Payment (1973) - Maylene
1973
Shaft (TV Series) as
Debbie
- The Kidnapping (1973) - Debbie
1973
The All-American Boy as
Minor Role (uncredited)
1972
Group Marriage as
Judy / Chris' workmate
1972
Lady Sings the Blues as
Louis's Date (uncredited)
Producer
1983
Love Your Body (Video documentary) (producer)
1978
Fighting Mad (associate producer)
Writer
1983
Love Your Body (Video documentary) (writer)
Soundtrack
1978
Fighting Mad (performer: "Yesterday I Heard The Rain")
Miscellaneous
1983
Love Your Body (Video documentary) (choreographer)
Self
-
The First Lady of Motown: The Claudette Robinson Story (Documentary) (post-production) as
Self
2011
Life After (TV Series) as
Self
- Jayne Kennedy Overton (2011) - Self
2011
Way Black When: Primetime (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.4 (2011) - Self
2010
Machete Maidens Unleashed! (Documentary) as
Self
2004
An Evening of Stars: 25th Anniversary Tribute to Lou Rawls (TV Special) as
Self
1983
Ebony/Jet Showcase (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 3 October 1990 (1990) - Self (as Jayne Kennedy Overton)
- Episode dated 1 November 1985 (1985) - Self
- Episode dated 24 April 1983 (1983) - Self
1986
Lou Rawls Parade of Stars (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 30 December 1989 (1989) - Self
- Episode dated 17 December 1988 (1988) - Self
- Episode dated 27 December 1986 (1986) - Self
1988
Jackie Robinson: An American Journey (TV Short documentary) as
On Screen Narrator
1982
Greatest Sports Legends (TV Series) as
Self - Hostess
- Walter Payton (1988) - Self - Hostess
- Bob Uecker (1985) - Self - Hostess
- Steve Garvey (1984) - Self - Hostess
- Larry Holmes (1984) - Self - Hostess
- Jimmy Connors (1984) - Self - Hostess
- Johnny Unitas (1983) - Self - Hostess
- Bill Russell (1982) - Self - Hostess
1988
Family Reunion: A Gospel Music Celebration (TV Movie documentary) as
Self (as Jayne Kennedy Overton)
1988
20th NAACP Image Awards (TV Special) as
Self
1987
Breastfeeding Your Baby: A Mother's Guide (Video documentary) as
Self
1987
Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood (TV Special documentary) as
Self
1987
The 8th Annual Black Achievement Awards (TV Special) as
Self
1986
Fame, Fortune and Romance (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.14 (1986) - Self
1986
Star's Table (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.12 (1986) - Self
1986
Passion and Memory (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
1985
The 2nd Annual Black Gold Awards (TV Special)
1984
53rd Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (TV Special) as
Self
1984
Match Game/Hollywood Squares Hour (TV Series) as
Self - Panelist
1984
All-Star Family Feud Special (TV Series) as
Self - Celebrity Contestant
- 2nd Battle of the Perfect 10's: Bert's Beauties vs. Betty's Bruisers; Gordon's Glories vs. Gloria's Go-Getters (1984) - Self - Celebrity Contestant
1984
Breakaway (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.94 (1984) - Self
1979
Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon (TV Series) as
Self
- The 1983 Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon (1983) - Self
- The 1979 Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon (1979) - Self
1983
Love Your Body (Video documentary) as
Self
1983
Thicke of the Night (TV Series)
- Episode dated 7 September 1983 (1983)
1983
Battle of the Video Games (TV Special) as
Self - Host
1983
Shooting Stars for Playboy TV (TV Special) as
Self
1983
The 15th Annual NAACP Image Awards (TV Special) as
Self
1983
The 4th Annual Black Achievement Awards (TV Special) as
Self
1982
Today's Black Woman (TV Series) as
Self - Talent
- Episode dated 1 May 1982 (1982) - Self - Talent
1982
The John Davidson Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 4 March 1982 (1982) - Self
1981
Tomorrow Coast to Coast (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 20 November 1981 (1981) - Self
1981
All American Ultra Quiz (TV Mini Series) as
Assistant
1981
All-Star Salute to Mother's Day (TV Special) as
Self - Host
1980
Sha Na Na (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #4.4 (1980) - Self
1980
Circus of the Stars #5 (TV Special documentary) as
Self
1980
Bob Hope for President (TV Special) as
Self
1980
The Toni Tennille Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode #1.18 (1980) - Self
1980
Men Who Rate a 10 (TV Special) as
Self
1980
Dinah! (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 17 September 1980 (1980) - Self
1980
The 32nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
1980
Speak Up, America (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Episode dated 1 August 1980 (1980) - Self
1980
Miss Universe Pageant (TV Special) as
Self - Hostess
1978
The Hollywood Squares (Daytime) (TV Series) as
Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 2 June 1980 (1980) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 15 February 1980 (1980) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 14 February 1980 (1980) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 13 February 1980 (1980) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 12 February 1980 (1980) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 11 February 1980 (1980) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 22 October 1979 (1979) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 12 March 1979 (1979) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 29 January 1979 (1979) - Self - Panelist
- Episode dated 23 October 1978 (1978) - Self - Panelist
1980
Celebrity Challenge of the Sexes 5 (TV Special) as
Self - Obstacle Course
1980
The 6th People's Choice Awards (TV Special) as
Self - Presenter
1980
The Merv Griffin Show (TV Series) as
Self
- Jacqueline Bisset, Robert Conrad, Dudley Moore, Sir Wilfrid Hyde-White, Jayne Kennedy (1980) - Self
1979
The 2nd Annual Black Achievement Awards (TV Special) as
Self
1979
Look Magazine Gala Party (TV Special) as
Self
1978
The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) as
Self - Football Host
- Episode #18.41 (1978) - Self - Football Host
1978
The NFL Today (TV Series) as
Self - Studio Analyst
1974
The Flip Wilson Special (TV Special) as
Miss Alaska
1972
The Dean Martin Show (TV Series) as
Self - Ding-A-Ling Sister / Self
- Guests: Petula Clark, Joey Bishop, Don DeLuise, Nipsey Russell, and Kay Medford (1973) - Self - Ding-A-Ling Sister (uncredited)
- Celebrity Roast: Johnny Carson (1973) - Self - Ding-A-Ling Sister (uncredited)
1972
The Bob Hope Vietnam Christmas Show (TV Special) as
Self
Archive Footage
2019
No Lye: An American Beauty Story (Documentary) as
Self
2017
A Football Life (TV Series documentary) as
Herseld
- Swann & Stallworth (2017) - Herseld

References

Jayne Kennedy Wikipedia